Arby's vs Naturals2go
Arby's vs Naturals2go: Arby's costs $645K to $2.5M to open; Naturals2go costs $75K to $150K. Arby's has 3,365 units, Naturals2go has 262. SBA loan history: Arby's = 330 loans (13.0% default); Naturals2go = 265 loans (1.9% 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.
Arby's vs Naturals2go: 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
Naturals2go requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($75K vs $645K for Arby's), a 760% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $38K for Arby's versus $75K for Naturals2go, Arby's has the lower entry fee.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Arby's operates 3,365 units to Naturals2go's 262, roughly 13× the system size. Arby's has been operating 62 years (founded 1964) versus 17 for Naturals2go (founded 2009), a 45-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 7(a) approvals compared with 265 for Naturals2go. Arby's's peak SBA year was 1995 (27 loans); Naturals2go's peak was 2025 (68 loans). Naturals2go's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Arby's has the most SBA funded units in CA, with 44. Naturals2go leads in TX, with 43. Borrowers should pick the brand whose strongest SBA state matches their own state for warmer lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded Arby's deals is $583K vs $127K for Naturals2go, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 13.0% for Arby's and 1.9% for Naturals2go, Naturals2go has the cleaner SBA loss record by 11.1 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 57 (Moderate) for Arby's and 77 (Strong) for Naturals2go, giving Naturals2go the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 57/100 | 77/100 |
Health Tier | Moderate | Strong |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Growing |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 330 | 265 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 13.0% | 1.9% |
Peer Tier | major | major |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $645K to $2.5M | $75K to $150K |
Franchise Fee | $38K | $75K |
Royalty Rate | 4% | N/A |
Ad Fund | 5.2% | N/A |
Liquid Capital | $500K | N/A |
Net Worth Required | N/A | $150K |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 3,365 | 262 |
Franchised Units | 2,286 | 262 |
Company Owned | 1,079 | – |
Term Length | 20 yrs | N/A |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1964 | 2009 |
Franchising Since | 2015 | N/A |
Years Franchising | 11 yrs | N/A |
Headquarters | OROVILLE, CA | Dallas, TX |
Category | Full-Service Restaurants | Full-Service Restaurants |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2026 | N/A |
Which Is Better, Arby's or Naturals2go?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Arby's: $645K starting · Naturals2go: $75K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Arby's
Arby's: 330 SBA loans · Naturals2go: 265 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Naturals2go
Arby's: 13.0% · Naturals2go: 1.9%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
Arby's: 3,365 units · Naturals2go: 262 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Naturals2go
Arby's: 4% · Naturals2go: 0%
More lender financing options
Arby's
Arby's: 130 unique lenders · Naturals2go: 14 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 Naturals2go: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Arby's and Naturals2go is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $75K to $2.5M.
Arby's has 330 SBA loans on record and Naturals2go has 265. 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.
Arby's vs Naturals2go, Frequently Asked Questions
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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; it does not lend, fund, or approve loans, and 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