Top Franchise Brands for SBA Startup Loans in 2024
Top Franchise Brands for SBA Startup Loans in 2024
Franchise startups can be perceived as more preferable and less risky to some lenders, especially those specializing in franchise lending. For non-franchise small business startup SBA loans and business loans in general, the borrower needs to have a background and some expertise in the kind of business they are wanting to startup. This requirement is met with a franchise loan since you are buying this experience and blue print.
Not all lenders will offer startup loans and there are franchise brands which fare better than others in getting franchise startup SBA loans funded. Over the last 2 years ending 9/30/2024 there have been 500 banks funding $2.8 billion in franchise startup loans spread out to borrowers from 1,172 different franchise brands.
Here is a breakout of the top franchise brands for funded SBA 7(a) loans over the last combined 2 years.
Top Franchise Brands for Startup Loans Loans Over Last 2 Years
Leading franchise brands for SBA startup funded loans over the last 2 years include:
At the top of the list, Scooter's Coffee secured 55 loans, leading the way with an impressive total of $69,427,200 funded, showcasing its robust appeal in the coffee industry. HOTWORX, a growing contender in wellness and fitness, was approved for 121 loans, totaling $51,809,700 in funding—highlighting the significant interest in health-related franchises. The Goddard School, with its focus on premium childcare and education, stands out by achieving $35,002,000 in funding through just 18 loans, cementing its place as a prominent investment option. Similarly, Urban Air Adventure Park and Kiddie Academy, with $33,792,000 and $31,739,400 in funding respectively, reflect the strong demand for experiential and childcare services.
The data also underscores the continued dominance of tried-and-true brands alongside rising stars. For instance, The UPS Store, a staple in business services, secured 81 loans with $24,592,700 funded. Meanwhile, strong retail-focused franchises like Pet Supplies Plus and vibrant food-based brands such as Crumbl, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, and Biggby Coffee underscore their profitability and sustained consumer interest, with funding ranging from $19 million to $28 million. Educational franchises like Goldfish Swim School ($21,063,000) and Primrose Schools ($19,732,200) reflect growing interest in child-centered services, while innovative emerging brands such as X-Golf, with $31,511,100 funded, illustrate diversification opportunities outside traditional franchise industries.
Startup Loans up to $350,000
Leading franchise brands for SBA startup loans up to $350,000 over the last 2 years include:
When analyzing the top franchise brands for startup SBA loans under $350,000, several notable trends emerge, highlighting both established players and rising stars across various industries. Leading the rankings, THE UPS STORE secured 63 loans with $15,300,900 funded, showcasing its strong appeal to entrepreneurs seeking reliable, scalable business models. ELLIE MENTAL HEALTH follows closely with 64 loans totaling $11,395,700 in funding, reflecting the growing demand for mental health services and the brand’s industry potential. NATURALS2GO stands out as a dominant player in vending opportunities with 80 loans funded at $10,665,900.
HOTWORX demonstrates significant traction in the fitness sector with 36 loans and $9,402,100 funded, underscoring the ongoing consumer interest in innovative wellness concepts. Similarly, MIGHTY DOG ROOFING and EVERLINE COATINGS AND SERVICES spotlight growth within the home services sector, funding $8,523,600 and $7,570,700 respectively. These brands cater to essential needs, aligning with market stability and frequent consumer demands.
For newer entrants into the market, brands like NAUTICAL BOWLS, FLOORS COVERINGS INTERNATIONAL, and DIRTY DOUGH COOKIES have also made an impact, with respective funding of $6,440,500, $5,857,300, and $5,601,300. NAUTICAL BOWLS represents a growing trend towards health-conscious dining, while DIRTY DOUGH COOKIES taps into the continued popularity of unique dessert concepts.
Other notable entries include RESTOPROS, specializing in restoration services, with $5,118,400 funded, and COLLEGE HUNKS HAULING JUNK, whose $4,583,200 in loans indicates solid performance in the moving and junk removal space. RAINBOW INTERNATIONAL and AIRE SERV highlight continued interest in home repair and improvement, funded at $4,507,000 and $4,100,000, respectively.
Startup Loans From $350,001 to $1 Million
Leading franchise brands for SBA startup loans from $350,001 to $1 million over the last 2 years include:
A review of franchise brands that received startup loans ranging between $350,000 and $1 million highlights key trends and significant funding opportunities in the world of franchising. The analysis showcases a variety of sectors, from fitness and education to food services and niche specialty brands, providing valuable insights into where entrepreneurs see the most potential for growth.
HOTWORX leads the list with 84 loans securing a total of $40,874,700 in funding. This fitness franchise capitalizes on the growing demand for innovative exercise and wellness solutions, making it the top choice for both franchisees and lenders in this funding range. CRUMBL, a gourmet cookie brand, follows with 42 loans totaling $24,485,700, indicating strong support for specialty food concepts with high consumer appeal.
The well-established ANYTIME FITNESS franchise secured 28 loans amounting to $20,852,600, underscoring the persistent popularity of health-focused franchises. Meanwhile, franchises like THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE received 37 loans equaling $18,010,500, reflecting continued interest in early childhood education as a critical market segment.
Smaller yet impactful franchises demonstrate their competitive potential within this category. For example, IFOAM, an insulation and energy efficiency brand, secured $17,527,300 from 25 loans, catering to the surging interest in environmentally conscious initiatives. Likewise, NOTHING BUNDT CAKES’ 25 loans totaling $16,689,700 highlight the enduring appeal of specialty bakery franchises.
Notable emerging players include JERSEY MIKE’S with $16,430,100 from 26 loans, TROPICAL SMOOTHIE CAFE with $16,342,500 across 30 loans, and the pet-focused HOUNDS TOWN USA recording $15,559,200 through 21 funded loans. These brands are evidence of the diversification and resilience in food service and pet care sectors.
Other standout performers include BIGGBY COFFEE (28 loans equaling $15,396,700) and fitness-oriented franchises like D1 SPORTS ($14,997,200 from 23 loans) and BODY20 ($968,970 from 18 loans), which emphasize specialty fitness niches that resonate with specific consumer markets. Additionally, food-focused brands such as TERIYAKI MADNESS ($12,203,300 across 19 loans) and EGGS UP GRILL ($10,775,800 from 13 loans) continue to grow their footprint fueled by targeted funding.
Among unique niche brands, SCENTHOUND ($10,982,000 from 25 loans) addresses pet grooming needs, while TINT WORLD ($10,654,000 from 18 loans) serves the automotive customization market. SCHOOL OF ROCK, with $9,744,200 from 17 loans, and BLINGLE!, which secured $961,550 across 18 loans, demonstrate the diverse opportunities available for franchisees.
Startup Loans for up to $1 Million
Leading franchise brands for SBA startup loans up to $1,000,000 over the last 2 years include:
Leading the pack is HOTWORX, securing the highest number of loans at 120 and a total funding amount of $50,276,800. The combination of its innovative fitness offerings and growing market presence solidifies its position as a standout choice for prospective franchisees. CRUMBL, a fast-growing bakery franchise, follows with 45 loans and $25,160,700 funded, capitalizing on its widespread popularity in the dessert industry.
Staple brands like The UPS Store and Anytime Fitness continue to attract substantial investment, receiving 80 loans and $23,272,700 funded and 36 loans with $21,901,000 funded, respectively. These established names provide proven business models in logistics and fitness sectors. Similarly, The Learning Experience, with 41 loans and $19,062,700 funded, underscores the increasing demand for educational services and early childhood development resources.
Emerging franchises such as iFOAM ($18,607,300 funded from 46 loans) and Tropical Smoothie Cafe ($17,727,500 funded from 35 loans) are also carving out significant positions, demonstrating the appeal of home service and quick-service food industries. Strong performers like Biggby Coffee (41 loans, $17,673,600 funded) and Jersey Mike's (31 loans, $16,966,600 funded) dominate in their respective food and beverage niches.
Other promising franchise investments include Nothing Bundt Cakes ($16,714,700 funded from 26 loans) and Hounds Town USA ($15,609,200 funded from 22 loans), catering to niche markets with innovative offerings. Additionally, D1 Sports and Mighty Dog Roofing are noteworthy names with $15,307,200 and $14,889,700 funded, respectively, showcasing the robust market potential in specialized fitness and home improvement.
On the more emerging side, franchises like Scenthound ($13,543,000 funded from 36 loans), Ellie Mental Health ($13,394,400 funded from 69 loans), and Teriyaki Madness ($12,973,800 funded from 23 loans) reflect growing consumer interest in unique service-oriented businesses. Furthermore, Everline Coatings and Services (52 loans, $12,970,000 funded) highlights opportunities in commercial maintenance services, while Blingle! (30 loans, $11,282,500 funded) demonstrates the allure of creative business models in entertainment and lighting.
Finally, strong niche players such as Tint World ($11,243,000 funded from 22 loans) and YogaSix ($11,213,300 from 23 loans) underline the sustained demand for specialized automotive and wellness services.
Startup Loans Over $1 Million
Leading franchise brands for SBA startup loans over $1 million over the last 2 years include:
Startup franchises have seen significant funding through loans exceeding $1 million, reflecting robust investment in diverse industries. Below is an analysis of notable franchises based on loan counts and total funding secured.
Leading the list is Scooter's Coffee, which secured 39 loans amounting to an impressive $59,517,400. This is followed by Urban Air Adventure Park, with 7 loans totaling $32,776,500, and The Goddard School, which obtained 13 loans for a sum of $32,433,000. These franchises demonstrate the high attraction of investors in experience-driven and educational opportunities.
Franchises like X-Golf and Kiddie Academy have showcased steady growth patterns, with 20 and 6 loans respectively and funding amounts of $26,365,400 and $26,106,100. Similarly, K-9 Resorts Daycare & Luxury Hotel secured 8 loans for a total of $24,364,500, while Goldfish Swim School benefited from 7 loans, resulting in $21,063,000.
Notable brands within the $10 million to $20 million range include Paris Baguette, which secured 11 loans totaling $16,285,100, and Zaxby’s, acquiring 6 loans and $15,543,200 in funding. Other strong performers include Primrose Schools with 5 loans amounting to $15,524,200, Pet Supplies Plus with 11 loans and $15,103,900, and American Family Care/Doctors Express, securing 8 loans for $14,560,800.
Notable franchise startup funding includes Motel 6, receiving 5 loans for $13,529,000, and Culver’s ButterBurgers, with 3 loans equaling $13,359,000. Indoor entertainment companies such as Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park received 4 loans summing to $11,848,600, while pet-focused brands like Dogtopia obtained 9 loans for $11,525,000. Additionally, Celebree School and Ziggi’s Coffee secured $11,481,700 and $11,019,600 respectively, each displaying promise in the education and coffee industries.
Top Franchise Brands for Startup Loans Last 2 Years Ranked by Industry
Leading franchise brands for SBA startup loans for some of the popular business industries in SBA lending:
This article is authored by Darin Manis, founder of LoanBox.
Source: All SBA 7(a) data shared is based on all SBA lending from all sources and not from SBA lending through LoanBox. SBA data and reports are not from the SBA but from SBA data from the lending analytics platform developed and maintained by SBADNA Analytics. SBADNA and LoanBox are both owned by the same parent company FuseSync LLC. LoanBox and SBADNA does not validate or verify the data released by the SBA and provides no warranty of data accuracy or completeness.