Denny's vs Tropical Smoothie Cafe
Franchise Comparison 2026
Both Denny's and Tropical Smoothie Cafe are full-service restaurants franchises. Denny's requires an investment of $1.6M – $3.1M while Tropical Smoothie Cafe requires $341K – $815K. In terms of revenue, Denny's reports higher average unit revenue at $1.9M. On SBA loan performance, Denny's has a lower charge-off rate (7.5%) compared to Tropical Smoothie Cafe (11.2%). FranchiseVerdict rates Denny's A (Top Quintile) and Tropical Smoothie Cafe A (Top Quintile).
| Metric | Denny's | Tropical Smoothie Cafe |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict Grade | ATop QuintileTop Quintile | ATop QuintileTop Quintile |
| Investment Range | $1.6M – $3.1M | $341K – $815K |
| Franchise Fee | $30K | $35K |
| Royalty Rate | 4.5% | 6.0% |
| Average Revenue (Item 19) | $1.9M | $1.0M |
| SBA Charge-Off Rate | 7.5% (283 loans) | 11.2% (653 loans) |
| Total Units | 1,334 | 1,515 |
| Unit Growth (YoY) | N/A | N/A |
| Year Began Franchising | 1963 | 2012 |
| FDD Year | 2025 | 2025 |
Investment Range
$1.6M – $3.1M
$341K – $815K
Franchise Fee
$30K
$35K
Royalty Rate
4.5%
6.0%
Average Revenue (Item 19)
$1.9M
$1.0M
SBA Charge-Off Rate
7.5% (283 loans)
11.2% (653 loans)
Total Units
1,334
1,515
Unit Growth (YoY)
N/A
N/A
Year Began Franchising
1963
2012
FDD Year
2025
2025