Apple Spicetm vs Filtafry
Apple Spicetm vs Filtafry: Apple Spicetm costs $80K to $478K to open; Filtafry costs $25K to $145K. Apple Spicetm has 19 units, Filtafry has 21. SBA loan history: Apple Spicetm = 27 loans (7.4% default); Filtafry = 26 loans (15.4% default). The franchise with more SBA funded units, a lower SBA default rate, and a lower royalty load is the safer financing bet; see the comparison below.
Apple Spicetm vs Filtafry: Capital, Scale & Lending Analysis
Analysis based on 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
Filtafry requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($25K vs $80K for Apple Spicetm), a 220% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $83K for Apple Spicetm versus $35K for Filtafry, Filtafry has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 6% for Apple Spicetm and 6.5% for Filtafry, giving Apple Spicetm the lighter per-unit drag on operating income.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Filtafry operates 21 units to Apple Spicetm's 19. Filtafry has been operating 30 years (founded 1996) versus 9 for Apple Spicetm (founded 2017), a 21-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Apple Spicetm has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 27 7(a) approvals compared with 26 for Filtafry. Apple Spicetm's peak SBA year was 2019 (11 loans); Filtafry's peak was 2005 (7 loans). Apple Spicetm's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Apple Spicetm has the most SBA funded units in CA, with 5. Filtafry leads in WI, with 3. Borrowers should pick the brand whose strongest SBA state matches their own state for warmer lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded Apple Spicetm deals is $316K vs $77K for Filtafry, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 7.4% for Apple Spicetm and 15.4% for Filtafry, Apple Spicetm has the cleaner SBA loss record by 8.0 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 52 (Moderate) for Apple Spicetm and 29 (Fair) for Filtafry, giving Apple Spicetm the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 52/100 | 29/100 |
Health Tier | Moderate | Limited |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 27 | 26 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 7.4% | 15.4% |
Peer Tier | established | established |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $80K to $478K | $25K to $145K |
Franchise Fee | $83K | $35K |
Royalty Rate | 6% | 6.5% |
Ad Fund | 1% | 1% |
Liquid Capital | N/A | N/A |
Net Worth Required | N/A | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 19 | 21 |
Franchised Units | 19 | 21 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | 10 yrs | 10 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 2017 | 1996 |
Franchising Since | 2003 | N/A |
Years Franchising | 23 yrs | N/A |
Headquarters | LAKE FOREST, CA | JACKSONVILLE, FL |
Category | Food Service Contractors | Food Service Contractors |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2023 | 2023 |
Which Is Better, Apple Spicetm or Filtafry?
Lower upfront capital required
Filtafry
Apple Spicetm: $80K starting · Filtafry: $25K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Apple Spicetm
Apple Spicetm: 27 SBA loans · Filtafry: 26 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Apple Spicetm
Apple Spicetm: 7.4% · Filtafry: 15.4%
Larger system & brand presence
Filtafry
Apple Spicetm: 19 units · Filtafry: 21 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Apple Spicetm
Apple Spicetm: 6% · Filtafry: 6.5%
More lender financing options
Filtafry
Apple Spicetm: 11 unique lenders · Filtafry: 21 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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Apple Spicetm vs Filtafry: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Apple Spicetm and Filtafry is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $25K to $478K.
Apple Spicetm has 27 SBA loans on record and Filtafry has 26. Those totals are cumulative history rather than a measure of current appetite. Recent lending activity is trending down for at least one of these brands, so current lender appetite has to be checked deal by deal rather than assumed from the totals.
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.
Apple Spicetm vs Filtafry, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Apple Spicetm or Filtafry?
How much does a Apple Spicetm franchise cost compared to Filtafry?
Can I finance Apple Spicetm or Filtafry with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Apple Spicetm or Filtafry?
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Page Review
Reviewed by Edward L. Freeman, Founder and Managing Director, PeerSense
- PeerSense is a capital advisory firm that places commercial financing with direct capital sources; the capital source sets final terms.
- Edward L. Freeman founded PeerSense in January 2020.
- He is a Registered Franchise Consultant with Business Alliance, Inc., a credential issued in March 2022, and worked as a franchise consultant there from March 2022 to May 2023.
- His recorded experience includes a $22 million SBA construction loan, with about $16 million funded on the deal.
- In the 12 months through September 30, 2026, PeerSense tracked 912 publicly announced financings with a disclosed size of $361.32 billion. PeerSense Capital Data Report · Methodology page
Last reviewed LinkedIn profileAbout Edward Freeman