FRANCHISE·WATCH·DESK

SBA 7(a)/504 FOIA · FY1991–PRESENT · ILLINOIS

Firehouse Subs franchise in Illinois: what the public record shows

Franchisees of Firehouse Subs in Illinois have taken 19 SBA loans since 1991 (average $249,168), and of the 13 loans whose story has ended, 0.0% were charged off — versus 11.1% for Firehouse Subs nationally and 14.8% across all rateable franchise brands. Its latest FDD Item 20 state table reports 25 franchised outlets in Illinois (fiscal 2017) — about 0.2 per 100k residents.

SBA loan outcomes · Illinoisvs national

Loans in IL

19

Resolved

13

Local charge-off

0.0%

National charge-off

11.1%

Source: SBA 7(a)/504 FOIA files (data.sba.gov), borrower state = IL. Charge-off rate = charged-off ÷ (charged-off + paid-in-full); open loans excluded. A local rate is published only when the resolved cohort clears our floor.

Franchised outlets in Illinois · FDD Item 20+7 over the disclosed window
Fiscal yearFranchisedCompany-owned
201518
201623
201725
Same-sector systems with SBA loan history in Illinois12 systems
SystemLoans in ILLocal charge-offUnits in IL
Subway3038.9%811
DAIRY QUEEN12916.0%
Sport Clips400.0%109
MASSAGE ENVY396.3%45
Fastsigns2918.8%
Alphagraphics, Printshops of the Futu2531.8%
SERVICEMASTER RESTORE2410.5%123
Signarama24thin
EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS2231.3%29
Matco Tools2215.0%
HOTWORX21thin17
PETLAND1844.4%3

Same sector, same state, same public records — how Firehouse Subs compares to the systems a buyer in Illinois would actually be choosing between. Local rates under 10 resolved loans are marked thin, not hidden.

Before you sign anythingfree · 30 min · no commission

A broker is paid by the franchisor to place you. An independent CPA is paid by you — and the job is pressure-testing Firehouse Subs's numbers, including talking you out of a bad deal.

Talk to an independent CPA before you buy →