Glass Doctor franchise cost: investment, fees and the SBA default rate

Items 5, 6 and 7 · Glass Doctor FDD 2026 · Updated 2026

A Glass Doctor franchise costs $157,150–$326,850 in total initial investment, according to Item 7 of the brand's FDD (2026). Glass Doctor charges a weekly license fee of 4% to 7% of Gross Sales, with the rate falling as weekly sales rise, plus a population-based minimum weekly license fee. On the lending side, Glass Doctor franchisees defaulted on 47.8% of SBA 7(a) loans approved FY2010–FY2019 (11 of 23), and the average SBA loan to a Glass Doctor franchisee in that cohort was $202,187.

How much does it cost to open a Glass Doctor franchise?

Item 7 of the FDD estimates the total initial investment at $157,150–$326,850. It is the franchisor's own estimate of what a new franchisee spends to open one unit, typically the franchise fee, equipment, premises or vehicle costs, opening inventory and an initial working-capital reserve. The low and high ends usually reflect different unit sizes, leasing versus buying, and local costs. Range is for the Auto Option; the Home and Business Option is estimated at $154,650 to $311,850.

What does the SBA data add?

The federal loan record adds what the FDD cannot: Glass Doctor franchisees defaulted on 47.8% of SBA 7(a) loans approved FY2010–FY2019 (11 of 23 resolved loans), against the Automotive Glass Replacement Shops industry average of 11.2%, according to U.S. Small Business Administration data with statuses as of June 30, 2026. Since 2020 they have taken 45 new SBA loans, of which 6 have already charged off.

Set the investment range against the loans: an average SBA loan of $202,187 against the $157,150–$326,850 investment range says roughly how much of a typical Glass Doctor opening was debt-financed in the 2010s. The brand page has the year-by-year record and the industry comparison.

Most SBA default figures published online use loans approved since 2020 — loans that have had six years or less to fail — so those rates are floors, not outcomes. Every rate on this site is computed from the matured FY2010–FY2019 cohort: loans that have been paid in full or charged off, so the result is settled. Loans approved since 2020 are shown as counts so early charge-offs are visible without being mistaken for a rate.