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Pop-A-Lock
Pop-A-Lock franchises provide mobile locksmith services including commercial and residential locksmithing, security systems, automotive lockouts and vehicle services, door unlocking, and 24/7 emergency roadside assistance. Franchisees use proprietary methods, tools, trademarks, and systems developed by the franchisor to serve businesses, homeowners, vehicle owners, and the general public, with required participation in community programs like PAL Saves Kids. The business model focuses exclusively on franchising with no company-owned locations.
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Franchise Costs
7% royalty + 1% ad fund
Financial Performance
Item 19 Financial Performance
This franchise did not provide Item 19 financial performance data.
Be careful if you are interested in investing. The lack of financial performance representations may indicate limited data or varying results across franchises.
Extracted Item 19 Section
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Unlock financial performance dataPop-A-Lock Franchise Analysis
Picture rolling up to emergencies in a branded van, unlocking doors and saving the day as America's go-to mobile locksmith network—Pop-A-Lock has mastered this since 1994 with an all-franchise model and no company stores. Yet, behind the 24/7 heroism lies a system showing subtle contraction and absent earnings data in Item 19, plus an SBA loan track record that raises eyebrows. What does this mean for your shot at steady service revenue?
Item 7 lays out the startup reality: $169,566 to $227,611 total investment, kicked off by a hefty $75,000 franchise fee, followed by 7% royalties and 1% ad fund. With 397 franchise locations and just 7 corporate spots, this pure-play franchisor reported a -3% dip from 409 units in 2022 to 397 in 2023, alongside minimal friction—only 1 termination, 1 non-renewal, 4 transfers, and 3 projected new units. No Item 19 means no disclosed revenues or profits, forcing buyers to scrutinize alternatives like the 17 SBA loans averaging $550,000 but with an 11.8% default rate, signaling potential cash flow strains in this recession-resistant field.
One arbitration over royalties and covenants hints at enforcement rigor, but low system churn suggests franchisee satisfaction amid community mandates like PAL Saves Kids. For buyers eyeing security services, probe veteran FDD Item 20 stats, local demand for automotive lockouts, and scalability in underserved markets—especially since exclusive franchising amplifies brand leverage without corporate competition.
Analysis based on the 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document. All figures should be independently verified before making investment decisions.
How Pop-A-Lock Compares
Key Insights
- Higher investment than 100% of Security Services franchises
- #2 largest franchise system in Security Services
- Lower than average SBA loan default rate in Security Services
| Franchise | Investment | Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Pop-A-Lock Current | $170K – $228K | $75K | 7.0% | 397 |
| SIGNAL 88 SECURITY | $160K – $10.2M | $150K | 4.0% | 1,883 |
| THE FLYING LOCKSMITHS | $148K – $399K | $75K | 8.0% | 98 |
| BLUE EAGLE INVESTIGATIONS | $57K – $166K | $50K | 20.0% | 16 |
| Silbar Security | $146K – $279K | $50K | 5.0% | 7 |
| GOJOE PATROL | $91K – $152K | $45K | 5.0% | 2 |
Security Services Average 6 franchises | $128K – $1.9M | $74K | 8.2% | – |
* Comparison based on latest FDD filings. Investment ranges from Item 7, fees from Item 5. Showing top 5 of 6 Security Services franchises by location count.
Locations & Growth
Outlet Growth Over Time
Total outlets at end of each year
Geographic Distribution (2023)
Outlets by state across the United States
+36 more states
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Unlock location growth dataSBA Loan History
Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for Pop-A-Lock franchisees (2014 – 2025)
Loans by Year
SBA 7(a) loan activity over time
* Data sourced from SBA 7(a) FOIA loan records. Default rate calculated from charged-off loans.
17 SBA loans on record
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Unlock SBA loan historyFranchisee Contacts
155 franchisee contacts on file from official FDD filings.
155 Contacts Available
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Unlock contactsDue Diligence
Litigation (Item 3)
One arbitration initiated by franchisor against a franchisee to enforce restrictive covenants and collect royalties.
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
System Health (Item 20)
Franchise system changes reported in the most recent fiscal year
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Unlock due diligence reportsFrequently Asked Questions
The total initial investment to open a Pop-A-Lock franchise ranges from $169,565.95 to $227,610.95. This includes a franchise fee of $75,000. Ongoing royalty fees are 7.0% of gross sales.
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