Is Signal 88 Security or California Closets cheaper to open?

Signal 88 Security costs $126,950–$5,093,300 and California Closets costs $872,000–$1,776,400 to open (FDD Item 7). Signal 88 Security has the lower entry cost.

Which is the better franchise, Signal 88 Security or California Closets?

FranchiseVerdict grades Signal 88 Security B and California Closets A, from FDD Items 5–7, 19–21 and SBA loan performance. See the full side-by-side above.

Signal 88 Security vs California Closets

Franchise Comparison 2026

Both Signal 88 Security and California Closets are business services franchises. Signal 88 Security requires an investment of $127K – $5.1M while California Closets requires $872K – $1.8M. Signal 88 Security discloses average revenue of $1.4M; California Closets makes no financial performance representation in its Item 19, which is voluntary under the FTC Franchise Rule. Signal 88 Security has SBA lending data on file with a 21.1% charge-off rate. FranchiseVerdict rates Signal 88 Security B (Above average) and California Closets A (Strongest tier).

Metric	Signal 88 Security	California Closets
Verdict Grade	BAbove averageAbove average	AStrongest tierStrongest tier
Investment Range	$127K – $5.1M	$872K – $1.8M
Franchise Fee	$120K	$70K
Royalty Rate	4.0%	6.0%
Average Revenue (Item 19)	$1.4M	N/ANo Item 19 representation
SBA Charge-Off Rate	21.1% (23 loans)	Limited data
Total Units	1,060	62
Unit Growth (YoY)	N/A	N/A
Year Began Franchising	2008	1980
FDD Year	2024	2025