How much does a window tint franchise cost in 2026?

The short version

A Polar Tint window film, ceramic coating, and paint protection franchise requires the total initial investment disclosed in FDD Item 7, all-in, for a single-unit territory, per the 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). The range covers the franchise fee, build-out, initial inventory, equipment, training, and three months of working capital.

The initial franchise fee is the amount disclosed in FDD Item 5 for a new shop, with a reduced conversion fee if you're converting an existing tint shop into the Polar Tint system. Royalty is charged on gross sales weekly, plus a national brand fund contribution and a monthly technology fee. There is no minimum royalty.

What the initial investment actually buys

The 2026 FDD's Item 7 line items: initial franchise fee, signage and build-out for a single or dual-bay shop, opening inventory (film rolls, ceramic, PPF, install tools), point-of-sale and CRM software, insurance, three months of working capital, and travel for the in-person portion of the operator training program (delivered at our Henderson, NV HQ, virtually, or another location we designate, per FDD Item 11).

The low end of the range assumes a converting tint shop with existing build-out, equipment, and customer base. The high end assumes a ground-up build in a higher-cost market with two install bays.

Recurring costs after opening

Royalty: paid weekly on gross sales via ACH.

National branding fee: a brand fund contribution on gross sales, paid weekly.

Local marketing minimum: a percentage of gross sales with a weekly floor (FDD Item 6), whichever is greater. The local-marketing dollars flow to Frostbite Marketing (Polar Tint's in-house marketing partner) for Meta + Google + community campaigns.

Technology fee: a flat monthly charge for the POS, CRM, scheduling, and reporting stack.

Financing the investment

Polar Tint is SBA-listed, which means the SBA pre-approved the franchise system for 7(a) loans. Typical 7(a) down payments are 10-30% of total investment; the remainder is bank-financed with SBA guarantee. Your out-of-pocket down payment is a fraction of the total project cost disclosed in FDD Item 7.

Polar Tint maintains relationships with several SBA-preferred lenders specifically familiar with automotive aftermarket. Apply at our financing page for introductions.

Veteran and first-responder discount

Honorably discharged US military veterans and active first responders (police, fire, EMS) receive a 25% discount on the initial franchise fee. The discount is documented in the 2026 FDD and applies in every state. The dollar amount of the discount follows directly from the initial franchise fee disclosed in FDD Item 5.