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Home ServicesLimited DataItem 19: ✓ DisclosedMedium Confidence · 60/100

Ace Hardware Franchise Cost and Profit

FDD-based startup cost, franchise fee, revenue, profit, SBA default rate, and investment risk signals for Ace Hardware.

Based on 2025 FDD · 5 filings in corpus

FranchiseIQ Score
73
B
Moderate-Low Risk
Composite score from 3 risk dimensions. Click for breakdown ↓
Health Score
D
53/100
2/7 metrics · Low confidence
Full analysis unlocks:
✓ Cash-on-Cash return
✓ Payback period
✓ SBA default rate
✓ Red flags assessment
✓ Comparable franchises
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Cost and profit at a glance

How much does a Ace Hardware franchise cost and make?

Based on FDDIQ's FDD corpus, a Ace Hardware franchise shows an estimated initial investment of $604K – $2.0M. The franchisor does not provide enough Item 19 data for a clean profit estimate. Use the links below to compare the cost, revenue, SBA loan history, and ROI against other franchises before you request the full FDD.

Startup Cost
$604K – $2.0M
Total initial investment
Profit / Revenue
Item 19 not disclosed
FDD Item 19 signal
Payback Signal
Estimate unavailable
Modeled return metric
SBA Default Rate
No matched SBA history
Loan repayment history
Compare franchise costs →Estimate franchise ROI →Check SBA default rates →Browse Home Services franchises →Compare similar franchises →

Quick fee read: $5K franchise fee. These figures are directional screening data, not a substitute for reading the current FDD and speaking with existing operators.

Free decision snapshot

Before you talk to Ace Hardware, check the numbers buyers usually miss.

The unlocked report ties this brand's FDD disclosures to SBA outcomes, Item 20 movement, fee load, missing-data labels, and buyer assumptions — so you can decide whether this is worth deeper diligence.

FDD disclosure qualitySBA default outcomesItem 20 unit movementFee/cost stressComparable brands
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Total Investment Range$604K – $2.0M
MinMid: $1.3MMax

Key Metrics

Franchise Fee
$5K
Royalty Rate
-
Ad Fund Rate
-
Total Burden
-
Royalty + ad fund
Units (2023)
4,759
+150 vs prior yr
Net Unit Growth
↑ 3.2%
Year over year
Cash-on-Cash Return
~8–15%
Annual estimated return
Payback Period
~5–12 yrs
Break-even timeline
SBA Default Rate
~3–8%
Fewer than 50 loans on record
Median Revenue
~$800K–$2M
Item 19 disclosed
Premium Data

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Get cash-on-cash return, payback period, SBA default rate, and red flag details for Ace Hardware.

CoC ReturnPayback PeriodSBA Default RateMedian RevenueEbitda MarginRisk Score
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Estimated using sector-average margins. Actual franchise economics vary by location, operator, and market conditions.

Ace Hardware vs. Home Services Average

MetricAce HardwareHome Services Avg
SBA Default Rate - 4.9%
Cash-on-Cash Return - 22.3%
Total Investment$1.3M$145K

Industry averages based on FranchiseIQ corpus benchmarks. ▲ = better than avg, ▼ = worse.

Compare

Ace Hardware vs Assisting Hands Home CareAce Hardware vs FIVE STAR PAINTINGAce Hardware vs Computer Troubleshooters

Similar Franchises · Home Services

Assisting Hands Home Care
Limited Data
$97K–$180K
FIVE STAR PAINTING
Limited Data
$77K–$185K
Computer Troubleshooters
Limited Data
$20K–$45K
Assisting Hands Home Care
$97K – $180K
FIVE STAR PAINTING
$77K – $185K
Computer Troubleshooters
$20K – $45K
Inspect-It 1st
$13K – $43K

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Questions to Ask Before You Sign

5 data-driven questions every Ace Hardware franchise buyer should ask.

  1. 1.What is Ace Hardware's SBA default rate compared to its competitors?Learn more →
  2. 2.Does Ace Hardware disclose Item 19 financial performance representations?Learn more →
  3. 3.What is the net unit growth trend over the past 3 years?Learn more →
  4. 4.What is the franchisee termination and transfer rate per Item 20?Learn more →
  5. 5.What do the FDD litigation disclosures (Item 3) reveal about franchisor legal history?Learn more →
Generate attorney questions for Ace Hardware →Validation call guide →
Data sourced from publicly filed Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDDs) submitted to state franchise regulators. SBA loan data from public SBA 7(a) records. Information reflects the most recent FDD filing in our database and may not reflect current terms. Always verify with the franchisor's current FDD before making any investment decision. Not legal or financial advice.

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