CORNWELL
Cornwell Quality Tools Company franchises mobile tool dealerships that operate as 'rolling tool stores' from trucks or vans, selling professional mechanics’ hand tools and related equipment purchased from Cornwell at dealer net prices. Franchisees are assigned a specific but non-exclusive geographic territory and resell products primarily to mechanics, service managers, and owners in auto/truck dealerships, repair shops, fleet operations, construction contractors, service stations, and body shops. The business model features no initial franchise fee or ongoing royalties, but requires a minimum $60,000 initial inventory purchase and full-time dedication to the territory.
Disclaimer: This information was extracted using AI from public Franchise Disclosure Documents and should be independently verified. This is not financial or legal advice. Always review official FDD filings before making investment decisions.
Overview
Financial Requirements
No royalty + no ad fund + $50/mo computer software fee
Franchise Stats
Financial Performance
Item 19 Financial Performance
Data Based On: 669 total Cornwell Dealers in the United States operating pursuant to Dealer Franchise Agreements with Cornwell that were in business for all of 2024 and who reported sales for at least 48 weeks during 2024 (Chart 1).
* Average gross revenue (Total Completed Business) was calculated as a weighted average using the average figures for each of the three segments (Top 1/3, Middle 1/3, Bottom 1/3), with 223 dealers in each segment. Median gross revenue is the median of the Middle 1/3 segment, which is the best approximation of the overall median given the data structure. Revenue top quartile is the average of the Top 1/3 segment. Revenue bottom quartile is the average of the Bottom 1/3 segment. Net income, net profit, EBITDA, and profit estimates are explicitly stated as not provided in Item 19.
Extracted Item 19 Section
How CORNWELL Compares to Other Specialty Retail Franchises
Key Insights
- Lower investment than 85% of Specialty Retail franchises
- #2 largest franchise system in Specialty Retail
- Lower than average SBA loan default rate in Specialty Retail
| Franchise | Investment Range | Franchise Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CORNWELL Current | $80K - $324K | N/A | N/A | 793 |
| MERLE NORMAN COSMETICS | $48K - $260K | N/A | N/A | 797 |
| BATTERIES PLUS | $263K - $497K | $45K | 5.0% | 604 |
| PET SUPPLIES PLUS | $537K - $2.0M | $50K | 3.0% | 502 |
| WILD BIRDS UNLIMITED | $227K - $379K | $40K | 4.0% | 340 |
| YOUR CBD STORE | $96K - $151K | $20K | 2.0% | 275 |
Specialty Retail Average 46 franchises | $285K - $708K | $38K | 5.0% | - |
* Comparison based on latest FDD filings. Investment ranges from Item 7, fees from Item 5. Showing top 5 of 46 Specialty Retail franchises by location count.
Locations & Growth
Outlet Growth Over Time
Total outlets at end of each year
Geographic Distribution (2024)
Outlets by state across the United States
+33 more states
SBA Loan History
Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for CORNWELL franchisees (2010 - 2025)
Loans by Year
* Data sourced from SBA 7(a) FOIA loan records. Default rate calculated from charged-off loans.
Franchisee Contacts
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Due Diligence
Litigation (Item 3)
Primarily fee collection disputes (30 cases) by franchisor against former franchisees for unpaid tool purchases, plus class actions by former franchisees involving termination disputes, franchise law violations, and employee misclassification claims.
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
No bankruptcy history reported in the FDD.
System Health (Item 20)
Franchise system changes reported in the most recent fiscal year
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to open a CORNWELL franchise?
The total initial investment to open a CORNWELL franchise ranges from $79,525 to $323,825.
How much revenue does a CORNWELL franchise make?
According to the 2025 FDD, the average gross revenue for a CORNWELL franchise is $613,647.88. The median revenue is $578,875.22.
How many CORNWELL franchise locations are there?
As of the 2025 FDD, CORNWELL has 793 franchise locations. The company has been franchising since 1997.
Can you get an SBA loan for a CORNWELL franchise?
Yes, SBA loans are available for CORNWELL franchises. Historical data shows 24 SBA 7(a) loans have been approved for CORNWELL franchisees, with an average loan amount of $76,054. The historical default rate is 8.3%.
Is CORNWELL a good franchise to buy?
CORNWELL shows several positive indicators: established brand with 793+ locations, transparent financial performance data (Item 19), low SBA loan default rate. However, franchise success depends on many factors including location, local market conditions, and owner involvement. We recommend speaking with existing franchisees and consulting with a franchise attorney before making a decision.
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