Franchise brokers are paid by the franchisor. I'm paid by you.
A broker earns their commission from the brand when you sign, and nothing at all if you walk away. That isn't a character flaw, it's arithmetic — but it does mean nobody in the room is paid to tell you no. I'm a CPA. You hire me, and the job is to work through the filings and say what they actually show, including when that's don't.
Buying a new unit from the franchisor, or an existing one from its owner? Both get the same treatment — and on a resale, the seller's actual books alongside the brand's record, since you still sign today's FDD rather than the one they signed.
30 minutes · no charge · no commission, from anyone
1,300 brands tracked · 1,046 FDD filings analysed · 130,813 SBA 7(a) loans matched to brands since 1991. Every figure links to the document it came from.
Every number cited
Verdicts marked ✓ VERIFIED come from the brand's own FDD Item 20, and each page links to the filing.
How we rate →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. Sample data is labelled ◆ SAMPLE and never citable.
Our disclosure rules →Look up the brand you're considering. That part is free.
The verdict board
All sectors · 1300 brands · ranked by verdict
| # | 3-yr units | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Take 5✓ VERIFIEDAutomotive | Strong | +42% | STABLE 7 | |
| 02 | WING-STOP✓ VERIFIEDFood & Dining | Strong | +34% | — | |
| 03 | PLAYA BOWLS✓ VERIFIEDOther | Strong | +72% | STABLE 6 | |
| 04 | EINSTEIN BROS. RESTAURANT✓ VERIFIEDFood & Dining | Strong | +21% | — | |
| 05 | JERSEY MIKE'S✓ VERIFIEDOther | Strong | +54% | STABLE 15 | |
| 06 | Pet Suplies Plus✓ VERIFIEDPet Services | Strong | +27% | — | |
| 07 | Club Pilates✓ VERIFIEDFitness | Strong | +35% | STABLE 13 | |
| 08 | SCOOTER'S COFFEE✓ VERIFIEDFood & Dining | Strong | +53% | STABLE 9 | |
| 09 | CHICKEN SALAD CHICK✓ VERIFIEDFood & Dining | Strong | +28% | STABLE 6 | |
| 10 | Sport Clips✓ VERIFIEDOther | Strong | +21% | STABLE 5 |
Verdicts are computed from each brand's own FDD Item 20 — unit growth, exit quality, churn — with an evidence gate: young or tiny systems are "too new to judge," not "healthy."
Enough units and history to judge — and the record is good. Led by Take 5.
Proven records you can actually afford to open. Led by Sport Clips.
Weak records or active distress. Look hard before you sign. Most concerning: 9ROUND.
When you want it read properly
Fixed prices, fixed turnarounds, published before you call. Every one of them starts with the same free 30 minutes.
Weekly: which franchise systems are showing bankruptcy, litigation, and closure signals — sourced, no spin.
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