Do it Best vs Ace Hardware
Franchise Comparison 2026
Both Do it Best and Ace Hardware are retail franchises. Do it Best requires an investment of $853K – $1.6M while Ace Hardware requires $612K – $2.0M. Ace Hardware discloses average revenue of $3.1M; Do it Best does not report Item 19 data. On SBA loan performance, Ace Hardware has a lower charge-off rate (13.4%) compared to Do it Best (17.4%). FranchiseVerdict rates Do it Best A (Strongest tier) and Ace Hardware A (Strongest tier).
| Metric | Do it Best | Ace Hardware |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict Grade | AStrongest tierStrongest tier | AStrongest tierStrongest tier |
| Investment Range | $853K – $1.6M | $612K – $2.0M |
| Franchise Fee | $9K | $5K |
| Royalty Rate | $90/month (basic); $140/month (enhanced); $195/month (advanced) | 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) | N/A | $3.1M |
| SBA Charge-Off Rate | 17.4% (95 loans) | 13.4% (863 loans) |
| Total Units | 4,053 | 5,250 |
| Unit Growth (YoY) | N/A | N/A |
| Year Began Franchising | 1945 | 1976 |
| FDD Year | 2025 | N/A |
Investment Range
$853K – $1.6M
$612K – $2.0M
Franchise Fee
$9K
$5K
Royalty Rate
$90/month (basic); $140/month (enhanced); $195/month (advanced)
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)
N/A
$3.1M
SBA Charge-Off Rate
17.4% (95 loans)
13.4% (863 loans)
Total Units
4,053
5,250
Unit Growth (YoY)
N/A
N/A
Year Began Franchising
1945
1976
FDD Year
2025
N/A