FH
SBA 7(a) franchise lending portfolio
First Horizon Bank
ELEVATED risk
- Total loans
- 328
- Loan volume
- $121.1M
- Avg loan size
- $369K
- Charge-off rate
- 15.7%
- vs 15.4% national avg
Defaults
47
Avg interest
6.49%
Franchises funded
202
Risk rating
ELEVATED
Top franchise exposures
| Franchise | Loans | Volume | Default % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mail Boxes Etc. Usa | 15 | $2.0M | 0.0% (low risk) |
| Domino's Pizza | 11 | $2.9M | 9.1% (moderate risk) |
| Quiznos | 9 | $1.2M | 44.4% (very high risk) |
| Fantastic Sam's | 8 | $609K | 12.5% (elevated risk) |
| Firehouse Subs | 8 | $1.2M | 0.0% (low risk) |
| Subway Sandwich Shop | 7 | $706K | 0.0% (low risk) |
| Baskin-Robbins 31 Ice Cream | 5 | $602K | 40.0% (very high risk) |
| Smoothie King (health Food Sto | 4 | $440K | 0.0% (low risk) |
| Pinch-A-Penny | 4 | $330K | 0.0% (low risk) |
| Ace Hardware | 4 | $1.4M | 0.0% (low risk) |
| Atlanta Bread Company | 3 | $971K | 0.0% (low risk) |
| MAACO Auto Painting Center | 3 | $575K | 0.0% (low risk) |
| Days Inn | 3 | $5.1M | 33.3% (very high risk) |
| Alphagraphics, Printshops Of T | 3 | $625K | 0.0% (low risk) |
| Beef O'brady's | 3 | $912K | 66.7% (very high risk) |
| Pump It Up | 3 | $675K | 0.0% (low risk) |
| UPS Store | 3 | $764K | 0.0% (low risk) |
| Planet Beach | 3 | $380K | 0.0% (low risk) |
| Fuzzy's Taco Shop | 3 | $1.2M | 0.0% (low risk) |
| Menchie's | 3 | $1.3M | 66.7% (very high risk) |
Lending volume by year
3'92
7
12
18
11
22'97
8
10
10
18
27'02
27
15
15
10
10'07
9
1
6
11
9'12
1
4
2
5
5'17
14
15
10
3
3'22
3
2
2'25
First Horizon Bank charge-off rate by loan vintage
BrandNational avg
Geographic exposure
10219.1% (high risk)
6811.9% (elevated risk)
6010.3% (elevated risk)
2718.2% (high risk)
1920.0% (very high risk)
1713.3% (elevated risk)
1016.7% (high risk)
837.5% (very high risk)
70.0% (low risk)
366.7% (very high risk)
Portfolio summary
Total funded$121.1M
Defaults47 of 328
Risk tierELEVATED
Avg rate6.49%
Source: SBA 7(a) FOIA loan-level data, aggregated by FranchiseVerdict
Charge-off rate = charge-offs / (charge-offs + paid-in-full). Active, exempt, and cancelled loans are excluded. Risk ratings: Excellent (<5%), Good (5-10%), Average (10-15%), Elevated (15-20%), High Risk (>20%).
Frequently asked questions
- How many SBA 7(a) franchise loans has First Horizon Bank originated?
- 328 loans totaling $121.1M. The portfolio carries a 15.7% charge-off rate, earning a “ELEVATED” risk rating.
- What is the charge-off rate and why does it matter?
- Charge-off rate = charge-offs / (charge-offs + paid-in-full). For SBA 7(a) franchise lending, the national average runs 5–8%. Portfolios materially above that signal either riskier franchise selection or weaker underwriting.
- Where does this lending data come from?
- SBA 7(a) loan records released under the Freedom of Information Act. Each record carries approval date, amount, lender, business type, NAICS code, location, and outcome. See methodology.
- Which franchise brands does First Horizon Bank fund the most?
- The “Top franchise exposures” table above lists the brands First Horizon Bank has the largest concentration in. Click any brand to see its full FDD-disclosed financials, growth trajectory, and SBA loan performance across all lenders.