Research
Franchise Research & Analysis
Data-driven insights from FDD filings and SBA loan records. Original research on franchise failure rates, owner earnings, and investment costs.
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Showing 1–12 of 91 articles
FDD Item 7: The True Cost of a Franchise
Item 7 lists the real initial investment, not the franchise fee. We break down what it includes using live data from McDonald's, Chick-fil-A, and more.
FDD Item 6: The Hidden Fees in Every Franchise
Item 6 discloses every recurring franchise fee, not just the royalty. We show royalty and total-fee-load averages by industry, computed from live FDD data.
FDD Item 20: How to Spot a Franchise in Decline
Item 20 reveals whether a franchise system is growing or shrinking. Learn to read the unit-count table, with live open-vs-close data on declining brands.
FDD Items 3 & 4: Litigation and Bankruptcy
Items 3 and 4 disclose a franchisor's litigation and bankruptcy history. How to read them in context, with live case-per-unit data on major brands.
FDD Item 17: Renewal, Termination & the Cost of Exit
Item 17 is the franchise exit clause: term length, renewal conditions, transfer fees, and non-competes. How to read it, with live term and transfer-fee data.
FDD Item 21: Is the Franchisor Financially Healthy?
Item 21 holds the franchisor's audited financials. How to check solvency, spot a going-concern note, and read the statements that protect your investment.
Franchise Royalties by Industry: Who Charges the Most?
Financial services franchises charge the highest royalties; restaurants the lowest. Average royalty rates by industry, computed live from FDD fee data.
Recession-Resistant Franchises: 2008 vs 2020 Data
Which franchises survive downturns? SBA loan vintages show the 2008 crisis hit 5x harder than COVID. The categories and traits that hold up, by the numbers.
McDonald's vs Subway: Which Franchise Wins on Data?
McDonald's vs Subway compared on cost, revenue, fees, and SBA loan performance. The two biggest restaurant franchises, and why cheaper isn't better.
Planet Fitness vs Anytime Fitness: Franchise Data Compared
Planet Fitness vs Anytime Fitness on cost, revenue, fees, and SBA charge-off rates. Big-box vs small-box gym franchising, by the numbers.
Popeyes vs KFC: Which Fried Chicken Franchise Wins?
Popeyes vs KFC compared on revenue, cost, royalties, and SBA charge-off rates. Which fried chicken franchise has the stronger unit economics?
The SBA Franchise Directory: What Buyers Need to Know
The SBA Franchise Directory decides which franchises qualify for SBA loans. What listing means, what it doesn't, and how to check a brand's status.
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