Amazing Lash Studio vs Smartstyle
Amazing Lash Studio vs Smartstyle: Amazing Lash Studio costs $150K–$672K to open; Smartstyle costs $181K–$342K. Amazing Lash Studio has 151 units, Smartstyle has 69. SBA loan history: Amazing Lash Studio = 195 loans (8.2% default); Smartstyle = 75 loans (1.3% default). The franchise with more SBA-funded units, lower default rate, and lower royalty load is the safer financing bet — see the comparison below.
Amazing Lash Studio vs Smartstyle — Capital, Scale & Lending Analysis
Data-driven differentiation pulled from FDD filings and SBA 7(a) loan-level data. Each pairing reflects a unique combination of capital intensity, system scale, and financing path.
Capital Intensity
Amazing Lash Studio requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($150K vs $181K for Smartstyle), a 17% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $35K for Amazing Lash Studio versus $40K for Smartstyle — Amazing Lash Studio has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 6% for Amazing Lash Studio and 6.75% for Smartstyle, giving Amazing Lash Studio the lighter per-unit drag on operating income.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Amazing Lash Studio operates 151 units to Smartstyle's 69 — roughly 2× the system size. Smartstyle has been operating 30 years (founded 1996) versus 16 for Amazing Lash Studio (founded 2010) — a 14-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Amazing Lash Studio has the deeper SBA lending track record with 195 historical 7(a) approvals versus 75 for Smartstyle. Amazing Lash Studio's peak SBA year was 2016 (38 loans); Smartstyle's peak was 2020 (24 loans). Smartstyle's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Both systems concentrate the most SBA-funded units in TX — borrowers in that state will find the deepest lender familiarity with either brand. Average SBA loan size on funded Amazing Lash Studio deals is $437K vs $562K for Smartstyle — useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 8.2% for Amazing Lash Studio and 1.3% for Smartstyle — Smartstyle has the cleaner historical loss profile by 6.9 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 57 (Moderate) for Amazing Lash Studio and 59 (Moderate) for Smartstyle, giving Smartstyle the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 57/100 | 59/100 |
Health Tier | Moderate | Moderate |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 195 | 75 |
SBA Volume | — | — |
Default Rate | 8.2% | 1.3% |
Peer Tier | major | established |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $150K – $672K | $181K – $342K |
Franchise Fee | $35K | $40K |
Royalty Rate | 6% | 6.75% |
Ad Fund | N/A | 1.75% |
Liquid Capital | N/A | N/A |
Net Worth Required | $1 | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 151 | 69 |
Franchised Units | 151 | 69 |
Company-Owned | — | — |
Term Length | N/A | 10 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 2010 | 1996 |
Franchising Since | 1960 | N/A |
Years Franchising | 66 yrs | N/A |
Headquarters | Fort Worth, TX | TX |
Category | Beauty Salons | Beauty Salons |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2025 | 2026 |
Which Is Better — Amazing Lash Studio or Smartstyle?
Lower upfront capital required
Amazing Lash Studio
Amazing Lash Studio: $150K starting · Smartstyle: $181K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Amazing Lash Studio
Amazing Lash Studio: 195 SBA loans · Smartstyle: 75 SBA loans
Lower historical default rate
Smartstyle
Amazing Lash Studio: 8.2% · Smartstyle: 1.3%
Larger system & brand presence
Amazing Lash Studio
Amazing Lash Studio: 151 units · Smartstyle: 69 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Amazing Lash Studio
Amazing Lash Studio: 6% · Smartstyle: 6.75%
More lender financing options
Amazing Lash Studio
Amazing Lash Studio: 40 unique lenders · Smartstyle: 17 unique lenders
Decision matrix uses publicly disclosed FDD and SBA loan data. Not a recommendation — your best franchise depends on capital, market, operating capacity, and risk tolerance.
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About These Franchises
Amazing Lash Studio vs Smartstyle: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Amazing Lash Studio and Smartstyle is about more than brand preference — it's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $150K to $672K.
Both brands have active SBA lending histories — Amazing Lash Studio with 195 SBA loans and Smartstyle with 75. This means proven lender acceptance and established underwriting paths for franchise buyers.
SBA 7(a) loans are the most common franchise funding vehicle, offering up to $5M with as little as 10% down. PeerSense connects franchise buyers with the specific lenders who have approved loans for these brands — not generic referrals, but lenders with actual franchise lending track records.
Data sourced from SBA loan records, Franchise Disclosure Documents, and public filings. Updated regularly. Not financial advice — consult with a lending professional before making investment decisions.