Steamatic Carpet Cleaning vs Zerorez
Steamatic Carpet Cleaning vs Zerorez: Steamatic Carpet Cleaning costs $38K to $389K to open; Zerorez costs $262K to $619K. Steamatic Carpet Cleaning has 14 units, Zerorez has 5. SBA loan history: Steamatic Carpet Cleaning = 13 loans (7.7% default); Zerorez = 7 loans (0.0% default). The franchise with more SBA funded units, a lower SBA default rate, and a lower royalty load is the safer financing bet; see the comparison below.
Steamatic Carpet Cleaning vs Zerorez: Capital, Scale & Lending Analysis
Analysis based on 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
Steamatic Carpet Cleaning requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($38K vs $262K for Zerorez), a 86% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $41K for Steamatic Carpet Cleaning versus $30K for Zerorez, Zerorez has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 5% for Steamatic Carpet Cleaning and 6% for Zerorez, giving Steamatic Carpet Cleaning the lighter per-unit drag on operating income.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Steamatic Carpet Cleaning operates 14 units to Zerorez's 5, roughly 3× the system size.
SBA Lending Profile
Steamatic Carpet Cleaning has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 13 7(a) approvals compared with 7 for Zerorez.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 7.7% for Steamatic Carpet Cleaning and 0.0% for Zerorez, Zerorez has the cleaner SBA loss record by 7.7 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 42 (Fair) for Steamatic Carpet Cleaning and 56 (Moderate) for Zerorez, giving Zerorez the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 42/100 | 56/100 |
Health Tier | Fair | Moderate |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 13 | 7 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 7.7% | 0.0% |
Peer Tier | growing | emerging |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $38K to $389K | $262K to $619K |
Franchise Fee | $41K | $30K |
Royalty Rate | 5% | 6% |
Ad Fund | 1% | 1% |
Liquid Capital | N/A | N/A |
Net Worth Required | N/A | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Disclosed | Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 14 | 5 |
Franchised Units | 14 | 5 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | 15 yrs | 10 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | N/A | 2001 |
Franchising Since | 1991 | N/A |
Years Franchising | 35 yrs | N/A |
Headquarters | IL | N/A |
Category | Carpet | Carpet |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2025 | 2025 |
Which Is Better, Steamatic Carpet Cleaning or Zerorez?
Lower upfront capital required
Steamatic Carpet Cleaning
Steamatic Carpet Cleaning: $38K starting · Zerorez: $262K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Steamatic Carpet Cleaning
Steamatic Carpet Cleaning: 13 SBA loans · Zerorez: 7 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Zerorez
Steamatic Carpet Cleaning: 7.7% · Zerorez: 0.0%
Larger system & brand presence
Steamatic Carpet Cleaning
Steamatic Carpet Cleaning: 14 units · Zerorez: 5 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Steamatic Carpet Cleaning
Steamatic Carpet Cleaning: 5% · Zerorez: 6%
More lender financing options
Steamatic Carpet Cleaning
Steamatic Carpet Cleaning: 12 unique lenders · Zerorez: 5 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
Steamatic Carpet Cleaning vs Zerorez: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Steamatic Carpet Cleaning and Zerorez is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $38K to $619K.
Steamatic Carpet Cleaning has 13 SBA loans on record and Zerorez has 7. Those totals are cumulative history rather than a measure of current appetite. Recent lending activity is trending down for at least one of these brands, so current lender appetite has to be checked deal by deal rather than assumed from the totals.
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.
Steamatic Carpet Cleaning vs Zerorez, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Steamatic Carpet Cleaning or Zerorez?
How much does a Steamatic Carpet Cleaning franchise cost compared to Zerorez?
Can I finance Steamatic Carpet Cleaning or Zerorez with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Steamatic Carpet Cleaning or Zerorez?
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Page Review
Reviewed by Edward L. Freeman, Founder and Managing Director, PeerSense
- PeerSense is a capital advisory firm that places commercial financing with direct capital sources; the capital source sets final terms.
- Edward L. Freeman founded PeerSense in January 2020.
- He is a Registered Franchise Consultant with Business Alliance, Inc., a credential issued in March 2022, and worked as a franchise consultant there from March 2022 to May 2023.
- His recorded experience includes a $22 million SBA construction loan, with about $16 million funded on the deal.
- In the 12 months through September 30, 2026, PeerSense tracked 912 publicly announced financings with a disclosed size of $361.32 billion. PeerSense Capital Data Report · Methodology page
Last reviewed LinkedIn profileAbout Edward Freeman