Circle K vs Ace Hardware
Franchise Comparison 2026
Both Circle K and Ace Hardware are retail franchises. Circle K requires an investment of $1.5M – $2.7M while Ace Hardware requires $612K – $2.0M. In terms of revenue, Ace Hardware reports higher average unit revenue at $3.1M. On SBA loan performance, Circle K has a lower charge-off rate (6.7%) compared to Ace Hardware (13.4%). FranchiseVerdict rates Circle K A (Strongest tier) and Ace Hardware A (Strongest tier).
| Metric | Circle K | Ace Hardware |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict Grade | AStrongest tierStrongest tier | AStrongest tierStrongest tier |
| Investment Range | $1.5M – $2.7M | $612K – $2.0M |
| Franchise Fee | $25K | $5K |
| Royalty Rate | 3.0% | 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) |
| Average Revenue (Item 19) | $1.4M | $3.1M |
| SBA Charge-Off Rate | 6.7% (80 loans) | 13.4% (863 loans) |
| Total Units | 6,063 | 5,250 |
| Unit Growth (YoY) | N/A | N/A |
| Year Began Franchising | 1995 | 1976 |
| FDD Year | 2024 | N/A |
Investment Range
$1.5M – $2.7M
$612K – $2.0M
Franchise Fee
$25K
$5K
Royalty Rate
3.0%
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)
Average Revenue (Item 19)
$1.4M
$3.1M
SBA Charge-Off Rate
6.7% (80 loans)
13.4% (863 loans)
Total Units
6,063
5,250
Unit Growth (YoY)
N/A
N/A
Year Began Franchising
1995
1976
FDD Year
2024
N/A