Arby's vs Health Mart
Arby's vs Health Mart: Arby's costs $645K–$2.5M to open; Health Mart costs $150K–$442K. Arby's has 3,365 units, Health Mart has 133. SBA loan history: Arby's = 330 loans (13.0% default); Health Mart = 148 loans (3.4% default). The franchise with more SBA-funded units, lower default rate, and lower royalty load is the safer financing bet — see the comparison below.
Arby's vs Health Mart — 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
Health Mart requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($150K vs $645K for Arby's), a 330% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $38K for Arby's versus $60K for Health Mart — Arby's has the lower entry fee.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Arby's operates 3,365 units to Health Mart's 133 — roughly 25× the system size. Arby's has been operating 62 years (founded 1964) versus 20 for Health Mart (founded 2006) — a 42-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Arby's has the deeper SBA lending track record with 330 historical 7(a) approvals versus 148 for Health Mart. Arby's's peak SBA year was 1995 (27 loans); Health Mart's peak was 2020 (19 loans). Health Mart's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Both systems concentrate the most SBA-funded units in CA — borrowers in that state will find the deepest lender familiarity with either brand. Average SBA loan size on funded Arby's deals is $583K vs $686K for Health Mart — useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 13.0% for Arby's and 3.4% for Health Mart — Health Mart has the cleaner historical loss profile by 9.6 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 57 (Moderate) for Arby's and 52 (Moderate) for Health Mart, giving Arby's the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 57/100 | 52/100 |
Health Tier | Moderate | Moderate |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 330 | 148 |
SBA Volume | — | — |
Default Rate | 13.0% | 3.4% |
Peer Tier | major | major |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $645K – $2.5M | $150K – $442K |
Franchise Fee | $38K | $60K |
Royalty Rate | 4% | N/A |
Ad Fund | 5.2% | N/A |
Liquid Capital | $500K | $150K |
Net Worth Required | N/A | $400K |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 3,365 | 133 |
Franchised Units | 2,286 | 133 |
Company-Owned | 1,079 | — |
Term Length | 20 yrs | N/A |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1964 | 2006 |
Franchising Since | 2015 | 1960 |
Years Franchising | 11 yrs | 66 yrs |
Headquarters | OROVILLE, CA | N/A |
Category | Full-Service Restaurants | Full-Service Restaurants |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2026 | N/A |
Which Is Better — Arby's or Health Mart?
Lower upfront capital required
Health Mart
Arby's: $645K starting · Health Mart: $150K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Arby's
Arby's: 330 SBA loans · Health Mart: 148 SBA loans
Lower historical default rate
Health Mart
Arby's: 13.0% · Health Mart: 3.4%
Larger system & brand presence
Arby's
Arby's: 3,365 units · Health Mart: 133 units
More lender financing options
Arby's
Arby's: 130 unique lenders · Health Mart: 51 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
Arby's vs Health Mart: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Arby's and Health Mart is about more than brand preference — it's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $150K to $2.5M.
Both brands have active SBA lending histories — Arby's with 330 SBA loans and Health Mart with 148. 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.