Restoration 1 vs Storm Guard
Restoration 1 vs Storm Guard: Restoration 1 costs $40K–$509K to open; Storm Guard costs $110K–$425K. Restoration 1 has 85 units, Storm Guard has 19. SBA loan history: Restoration 1 = 88 loans (6.8% default); Storm Guard = 25 loans (12.0% default). The franchise with more SBA-funded units, lower default rate, and lower royalty load is the safer financing bet — see the comparison below.
Restoration 1 vs Storm Guard — Capital, Scale & Lending Analysis
Data-driven differentiation pulled from FDD filings and SBA 7(a) loan-level data. Each pairing reflects a unique combination of capital intensity, system scale, and financing path.
Capital Intensity
Restoration 1 requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($40K vs $110K for Storm Guard), a 64% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $41K for Restoration 1 versus $65K for Storm Guard — Restoration 1 has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 3.5% for Restoration 1 and 6.25% for Storm Guard, giving Restoration 1 the lighter per-unit drag on operating income.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Restoration 1 operates 85 units to Storm Guard's 19 — roughly 4× the system size.
SBA Lending Profile
Restoration 1 has the deeper SBA lending track record with 88 historical 7(a) approvals versus 25 for Storm Guard. Restoration 1's peak SBA year was 2018 (16 loans); Storm Guard's peak was 2015 (8 loans). Restoration 1's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Geographically, Restoration 1 concentrates in CA (10 SBA-funded units) while Storm Guard leads in NC (4) — pick the brand whose strongest state matches yours for warmest lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded Restoration 1 deals is $252K vs $176K for Storm Guard — useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 6.8% for Restoration 1 and 12.0% for Storm Guard — Restoration 1 has the cleaner historical loss profile by 5.2 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 69 (Strong) for Restoration 1 and 49 (Fair) for Storm Guard, giving Restoration 1 the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 69/100 | 49/100 |
Health Tier | Strong | Fair |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Stable | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 88 | 25 |
SBA Volume | — | — |
Default Rate | 6.8% | 12.0% |
Peer Tier | established | established |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $40K – $509K | $110K – $425K |
Franchise Fee | $41K | $65K |
Royalty Rate | 3.5% | 6.25% |
Ad Fund | N/A | 0.75% |
Liquid Capital | $100K | N/A |
Net Worth Required | $150K | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 85 | 19 |
Franchised Units | 85 | 19 |
Company-Owned | — | — |
Term Length | N/A | 10 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 2008 | N/A |
Franchising Since | 1960 | N/A |
Years Franchising | 66 yrs | N/A |
Headquarters | IRVINE, CA | WEAVERVILLE, NC |
Category | Residential Remodelers | Residential Remodelers |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2025 | 2026 |
Which Is Better — Restoration 1 or Storm Guard?
Lower upfront capital required
Restoration 1
Restoration 1: $40K starting · Storm Guard: $110K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Restoration 1
Restoration 1: 88 SBA loans · Storm Guard: 25 SBA loans
Lower historical default rate
Restoration 1
Restoration 1: 6.8% · Storm Guard: 12.0%
Larger system & brand presence
Restoration 1
Restoration 1: 85 units · Storm Guard: 19 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Restoration 1
Restoration 1: 3.5% · Storm Guard: 6.25%
More lender financing options
Restoration 1
Restoration 1: 27 unique lenders · Storm Guard: 7 unique lenders
Decision matrix uses publicly disclosed FDD and SBA loan data. Not a recommendation — your best franchise depends on capital, market, operating capacity, and risk tolerance.
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About These Franchises
Restoration 1 vs Storm Guard: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Restoration 1 and Storm Guard is about more than brand preference — it's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $40K to $509K.
Both brands have active SBA lending histories — Restoration 1 with 88 SBA loans and Storm Guard with 25. This means proven lender acceptance and established underwriting paths for franchise buyers.
SBA 7(a) loans are the most common franchise funding vehicle, offering up to $5M with as little as 10% down. PeerSense connects franchise buyers with the specific lenders who have approved loans for these brands — not generic referrals, but lenders with actual franchise lending track records.
Data sourced from SBA loan records, Franchise Disclosure Documents, and public filings. Updated regularly. Not financial advice — consult with a lending professional before making investment decisions.