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1,261 brands tracked · 850 with an extracted FDD (1,043 filings) · 372 with enough Item 20 history to rate · 133,516 SBA 7(a)/504 loans matched to brands by SBA franchise code since 1991. Brand figures link to the filing or dataset they came from.
Every number cited
Verdicts are my opinion, computed from figures extracted by software from the brand's own FDD Item 20. Each page links to the filing so you can check them.
How ratings work →Federal loan records
SBA 7(a)/504 outcomes since 1991 show how franchisees' loans actually ended — data no franchisor publishes.
About the loan data →Never estimated
Where a brand discloses nothing, the page says Not Disclosed. Figures are machine-extracted from the filing and link to it, so you can check them.
Disclosure rules →Explore the filed records
The verdict board
All sectors · 1261 brands · ranked by verdict
- 1. Take 5Strong
$287K–$2.1M to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +42% · 2025 FDD
- 2. WingstopStrong
$310K–$1.0M to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +34% · 2026 FDD
- 3. PLAYA BOWLSStrong
$282K–$1.1M to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +72% · 2026 FDD
- 4. Best BrainsStrong
$50K–$134K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +64% · 2026 FDD
$650K–$1.2M to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +21% · 2026 FDD
- 6. HOTWORXStrong
$289K–$830K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +99% · 2025 FDD
- 7. JERSEY MIKE'SStrong
$436K–$1.2M to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +54% · 2026 FDD
- 8. Club PilatesStrong
$385K–$839K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +35% · 2025 FDD
- 9. SCOOTER'S COFFEEStrong
$692K–$1.5M to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +53% · 2025 FDD
- 10. CHICKEN SALAD CHICKStrong
$777K–$1.0M to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +28% · 2026 FDD
| # | Units · latest run | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Take 5 $287K–$2.1M to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDOil change & quick lube2025 FDD | Strong | +42% | |
| 02 | Wingstop $310K–$1.0M to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDChicken wings2026 FDD | Strong | +34% | |
| 03 | PLAYA BOWLS $282K–$1.1M to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDAcai & superfruit bowls2026 FDD | Strong | +72% | |
| 04 | Best Brains $50K–$134K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDTutoring, test prep & learning centers2026 FDD | Strong | +64% | |
| 05 | EINSTEIN BROS. RESTAURANT $650K–$1.2M to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDBakery-cafes & bagels2026 FDD | Strong | +21% | |
| 06 | HOTWORX $289K–$830K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDHIIT & group training studios2025 FDD | Strong | +99% | |
| 07 | JERSEY MIKE'S $436K–$1.2M to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDSandwiches, subs & delis2026 FDD | Strong | +54% | |
| 08 | Club Pilates $385K–$839K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDPilates & barre2025 FDD | Strong | +35% | |
| 09 | SCOOTER'S COFFEE $692K–$1.5M to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDCoffee2025 FDD | Strong | +53% | |
| 10 | CHICKEN SALAD CHICK $777K–$1.0M to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDSandwiches, subs & delis2026 FDD | Strong | +28% |
Verdicts start from each brand's own FDD Item 20 (unit growth, exits, churn), then the auditor's opinion and its franchisees' SBA loan outcomes can cap them. Young or tiny systems are "too new to judge," not "healthy", and filings over two years old are not rated.
Enough units and history to judge — and the record is good. Led by Take 5.
Proven records with a disclosed minimum below this budget. Check the full range. Led by Best Brains.
My opinion, from FDD Item 20 tables: unit decline, terminations, churn. Read the filing yourself.
When you want it read properly
Two fixed prices and one quoted after the call, all published. Each starts with the same free 30-minute call: what the public record shows on your brand, and which questions matter before you spend money.
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