Ace Hardware vs Wireless Zone
Franchise Comparison 2026
Both Ace Hardware and Wireless Zone are retail franchises. Ace Hardware requires an investment of $612K – $2.0M while Wireless Zone requires $442K – $1.3M. On SBA loan performance, Ace Hardware has a lower charge-off rate (13.4%) compared to Wireless Zone (37.9%). FranchiseVerdict rates Ace Hardware A (Strongest tier) and Wireless Zone C (Average).
| Metric | Ace Hardware | Wireless Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict Grade | AStrongest tier | CAverage |
| Investment Range | $612K – $2.0M | $442K – $1.3M |
| Franchise Fee | $5K | $25K |
| Royalty Rate | No traditional royalty; cooperative model. Annual Brand Assessment = 2% of prior-year purchases from Ace (subsequent years), subject to min $6,270 / max $13,600 (new stores) or min $5,064/$4,500 - max $48,100 (existing stores under Local Lift Max Assessment); initial flat $6,000 (or $12,000 if Q4 activation) | Not more than 22% of the Gross Profit |
| Average Revenue (Item 19) | N/AOutlet subset | N/A |
| SBA Charge-Off Rate | 13.4% (863 loans) | 37.9% (40 loans) |
| Total Units | 5,250 | 792 |
| Unit Growth (YoY) | +97 units | +47 units |
| Year Began Franchising | 1976 | 1989 |
| FDD Year | 2026 | 2026 |
Investment Range
$612K – $2.0M
$442K – $1.3M
Franchise Fee
$5K
$25K
Royalty Rate
No traditional royalty; cooperative model. Annual Brand Assessment = 2% of prior-year purchases from Ace (subsequent years), subject to min $6,270 / max $13,600 (new stores) or min $5,064/$4,500 - max $48,100 (existing stores under Local Lift Max Assessment); initial flat $6,000 (or $12,000 if Q4 activation)
Not more than 22% of the Gross Profit
Average Revenue (Item 19)
N/AOutlet subset
N/A
SBA Charge-Off Rate
13.4% (863 loans)
37.9% (40 loans)
Total Units
5,250
792
Unit Growth (YoY)
+97 units
+47 units
Year Began Franchising
1976
1989
FDD Year
2026
2026