Polar Tint vs Sun Stoppers: The Complete 2026 Comparison — Polar Tint vs Sun Stoppers
Polar Tint vs Sun Stoppers: The Complete 2026 Comparison
Polar Tint Franchise
VS
Sun Stoppers Franchise
Sun Stoppers is a window film franchise with most of its listed locations in the Carolinas. Like Polar Tint, it offers automotive, residential, and commercial film, and its site also lists paint protection film, ceramic coating, and vinyl wrap. The differences come down to supply model and training structure.
Short answer
Both franchises offer automotive, residential, and commercial window film, and Sun Stoppers' own site also lists paint protection film, ceramic coating, and vinyl wrap. Sun Stoppers lists more locations, most of them in the Carolinas. Polar Tint's model includes a 65-hour training program (40 classroom + 25 on-the-job hours, FDD Item 11). Compare both FDDs item by item before deciding.
Side by side — 17 factors
Factor
Polar Tint
Sun Stoppers
Initial investment
$136,588 – $259,950
See Sun Stoppers' current FDD, Item 7
Initial franchise fee
$49,950
See Sun Stoppers' current FDD, Item 5
Royalty
8% of gross
See Sun Stoppers' current FDD, Item 6
Brand Marketing Fund
1% of gross
See Sun Stoppers' current FDD, Item 6
Tech Fees
$800/month — website, marketing portal, Google Workspace, accounting and plotter software (FDD Item 11)
See Sun Stoppers' current FDD, Item 6
Local marketing
Whether the franchisor supplies creative, ad templates, and a playbook — or leaves all local marketing to the operator.
6% of gross or $1,250/week, whichever is greater (to affiliate Frostbite Marketing)
Operating since 2015 (as Pro Tint USA); franchising since 2025
See Sun Stoppers' current FDD, Item 1
Geographic focus
Awarding territories in every open state
Mostly Carolinas — 13 locations listed (11 in NC/SC, plus WV and MA) on Sun Stoppers' site
Polar Tint vs Sun Stoppers
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Cost comparison
How much does a Sun Stoppers franchise cost?
We could not find Sun Stoppers’ total initial investment, franchise fee, or initial term in a published source we can cite — see Sun Stoppers’ current FDD, where Item 7 covers initial investment, Item 5 the franchise fee, and Item 17 the term. Sun Stoppers is a window-film franchise — auto, residential, and commercial tint, plus XPEL paint protection film, ceramic coating, and vinyl wrap per its own site — with most listed locations in the Carolinas.
A Polar Tint franchise opens at $136,588 to $259,950, with a $49,950 franchise fee and a 5-year initial term (Polar Tint FDD Items 5, 7, and 17). Polar Tint’s six revenue lines — tint, residential and commercial film, ceramic coating, PPF, and vehicle wraps — overlap closely with the services Sun Stoppers lists.
Sun Stoppers service lines are from Sun Stoppers’ own website (checked September 2026); its fees, investment, and term are in its current Franchise Disclosure Document (Items 5–7 and 17). Polar Tint figures are from the current Polar Tint FDD.
How does Polar Tint’s startup cost compare with Sun Stoppers’?
Polar Tint’s total initial investment is $136,588 to $259,950, including the $49,950 franchise fee (Polar Tint FDD Items 5 and 7), for a shop that typically runs 2,000 to 2,500 square feet (FDD Item 7). We could not find Sun Stoppers’ investment range in a published source we can cite, so request its current FDD and compare Item 7 line by line.
The structural difference
Why Polar Tint is built differently.
Six-line service stack
Window tint, residential and commercial film, ceramic coating, PPF, and vehicle wraps from the same footprint, same crew.
Flexible term
A 5-year initial term, with up to three 5-year renewals if renewal conditions are met (FDD Item 17).
Bottom line
Which franchise is right for you?
Sun Stoppers is an established window film franchise with most of its listed locations in the Carolinas. Polar Tint's model — a six-line service menu and a 5-year initial term — may suit operators outside that region. Request both FDDs and compare Items 5 through 8, 11, 12, 17, and 19 side by side.
Sun stoppers — Polar Tint vs Sun Stoppers — a window film franchise comparison. This page walks through every dimension that materially separates the two options: initial investment, royalty structure, supplier model, training, protected territory, supported service lines, and SBA Franchise Directory status.
Franchisees buy window film, application tools and other designated shop items from affiliated manufacturer Glacier Manufacturing, currently the exclusive supplier of those items under FDD Item 8. Sun Stoppers operators source under their own system’s supplier arrangements (see Sun Stoppers’ current FDD, Item 8).
The protected territory
Polar Tint typically sizes each Designated Territory by the lesser of a population cap and a radius around the approved site (FDD Item 12) and writes it into the franchise agreement. It is not an exclusive territory. While a franchisee is not in default, Polar Tint will not open or franchise another Polar Tint location inside that territory, subject to the rights it reserves in Item 12.
Two structural features stand out. (1) Six service lines from one shop (tint, PPF, ceramic, commercial film, residential film, wraps), all of which a franchisee must offer (FDD Item 16). (2) An initial term that is renewable only if you meet Polar Tint's conditions for renewal (FDD Item 17) — compare Sun Stoppers's term in its own FDD, Item 17.
Is Polar Tint cheaper than Sun Stoppers?
The total Polar Tint initial investment is estimated in FDD Item 7, and the franchise fee is disclosed in FDD Item 5. Specific Sun Stoppers costs are disclosed in their current FDD (per FTC franchise rule). Compare Item 7 ranges and Item 6 recurring fees side by side, and read each system's required-supplier terms in its Item 8.
How does the royalty compare between Polar Tint and Sun Stoppers?
Polar Tint royalty is paid weekly on gross sales, at the rate disclosed in FDD Item 6. Sun Stoppers's royalty is disclosed in their FDD Item 6, so compare the two directly. Look at royalty next to each system's required-supplier terms (FDD Item 8).
How does the initial term compare? Polar Tint vs Sun Stoppers
Polar Tint's term length and renewal requirements are set out in FDD Item 17; the term is renewable only if you meet Polar Tint's conditions for renewal. Sun Stoppers's term length is disclosed in its FDD Item 17. Compare the two for renewal flexibility and exit options.
How do supplier terms compare — Polar Tint vs Sun Stoppers?
Franchisees buy window film, application tools and other designated shop items from affiliated manufacturer Glacier Manufacturing, currently the exclusive supplier of those items under FDD Item 8. Compare Sun Stoppers's required-supplier terms in its FDD Item 8, including any rebates or affiliate revenue it discloses.
How does the territory protection compare? Polar Tint vs Sun Stoppers
Polar Tint awards a Designated Territory, typically the lesser of a population cap and a radius (FDD Item 12). Boundaries are mapped and written into the agreement. The territory is not exclusive, and protection applies while the franchisee is not in default. Sun Stoppers's territory definition is in their FDD Item 12. Compare the two directly, and check how each one sets radius size and population caps.
How does the training program compare? Polar Tint vs Sun Stoppers
Polar Tint runs a 65-hour operator training program: 40 classroom hours plus 25 on-the-job hours, per FDD Item 11. It covers the subjects listed in Item 11. Training is delivered at our Henderson, NV HQ, virtually, or another location we designate. Training travel/lodging is budgeted into FDD Item 7. Compare against Sun Stoppers's training time, format, and hands-on hours.
Is Polar Tint on the SBA Franchise Directory, and is Sun Stoppers?
Polar Tint is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory (the listing is not an SBA endorsement), so qualified buyers can apply for SBA 7(a) financing through a lender. Polar Tint does not provide financing (FDD Item 10). Check the SBA Franchise Directory for Sun Stoppers's current listing status. Borrower eligibility, approval, terms, and timing are determined by the SBA and your lender, not by Polar Tint.
How does the marketing model compare? Polar Tint vs Sun Stoppers
Polar Tint franchisees pay a local marketing fee to affiliate Frostbite Marketing, which provides local marketing, advertising, and promotion within the franchisee's Designated Territory (FDD Items 6 and 11). The Brand Marketing Fund, which Polar Tint administers, is separate. Sun Stoppers's marketing model is described in its FDD Items 6 and 11. Compare how each program works, how each brand fund is administered, and how minimum spend works.
How does franchisee support compare? Polar Tint vs Sun Stoppers
Polar Tint's pre-opening, opening, and ongoing support obligations are described in FDD Item 11. Sun Stoppers's support cadence is in their FDD Item 11. Compare site visit frequency, conferences, and technical access.
Is there a veteran discount for both Polar Tint and Sun Stoppers?
Polar Tint takes 25% off the initial franchise fee for honorably discharged veterans and first responders. Polar Tint is not a VetFran member. It runs this discount on its own. Verify Sun Stoppers's veteran-discount terms in their FDD Item 5.
How do I evaluate Sun Stoppers vs Polar Tint before signing?
Request both FDDs. The FTC Franchise Rule requires that you receive each FDD at least 14 calendar days before you sign a binding agreement with, or make any payment to, the franchisor or an affiliate.
Then compare Item 5 (fees), Item 6 (recurring fees + royalty), Item 7 (total investment), Item 12 (territory), Item 17 (term + renewal), Item 19 (financial performance), and Item 20 (franchisee contact info for validation calls). The Polar Tint FDD is delivered after the prequalification call at polartintfranchise.com/apply.
Tell us where you're looking and we'll confirm territory availability and offer a no-pressure 15-minute call slot. Qualified candidates receive the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) through the Discovery process.
Territories are protected, not exclusive: while your franchise agreement is in effect and you are not in default, Polar Tint will not open or franchise another Polar Tint location inside your Designated Territory, subject to the rights it reserves in FDD Item 12.
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