Arthur Murray Dance Studio vs Fred Astaire Dance Studios
Arthur Murray Dance Studio vs Fred Astaire Dance Studios: Arthur Murray Dance Studio costs $71K–$252K to open; Fred Astaire Dance Studios costs $296K–$658K. Arthur Murray Dance Studio has 237 units, Fred Astaire Dance Studios has 261. SBA loan history: Arthur Murray Dance Studio = 69 loans (4.3% default); Fred Astaire Dance Studios = 47 loans (4.3% default). The franchise with more SBA-funded units, lower default rate, and lower royalty load is the safer financing bet — see the comparison below.
Arthur Murray Dance Studio vs Fred Astaire Dance Studios — 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
Arthur Murray Dance Studio requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($71K vs $296K for Fred Astaire Dance Studios), a 76% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $30K for Arthur Murray Dance Studio versus $35K for Fred Astaire Dance Studios — Arthur Murray Dance Studio has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 8% for Arthur Murray Dance Studio and 7% for Fred Astaire Dance Studios, giving Fred Astaire Dance Studios the lighter per-unit drag on operating income.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Fred Astaire Dance Studios operates 261 units to Arthur Murray Dance Studio's 237. Fred Astaire Dance Studios has been operating 79 years (founded 1947) versus 66 for Arthur Murray Dance Studio (founded 1960) — a 13-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Arthur Murray Dance Studio has the deeper SBA lending track record with 69 historical 7(a) approvals versus 47 for Fred Astaire Dance Studios. Arthur Murray Dance Studio's peak SBA year was 2019 (11 loans); Fred Astaire Dance Studios's peak was 2019 (7 loans). Fred Astaire Dance Studios's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Geographically, Arthur Murray Dance Studio concentrates in CA (17 SBA-funded units) while Fred Astaire Dance Studios leads in WI (10) — pick the brand whose strongest state matches yours for warmest lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded Arthur Murray Dance Studio deals is $395K vs $350K for Fred Astaire Dance Studios — useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 4.3% for Arthur Murray Dance Studio and 4.3% for Fred Astaire Dance Studios. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 56 (Moderate) for Arthur Murray Dance Studio and 66 (Strong) for Fred Astaire Dance Studios, giving Fred Astaire Dance Studios the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 56/100 | 66/100 |
Health Tier | Moderate | Strong |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Growing |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 69 | 47 |
SBA Volume | — | — |
Default Rate | 4.3% | 4.3% |
Peer Tier | established | established |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $71K – $252K | $296K – $658K |
Franchise Fee | $30K | $35K |
Royalty Rate | 8% | 7% |
Ad Fund | 2% | 5% |
Liquid Capital | N/A | N/A |
Net Worth Required | N/A | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Disclosed | Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 237 | 261 |
Franchised Units | 237 | 261 |
Company-Owned | — | — |
Term Length | 5 yrs | 10 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1960 | 1947 |
Franchising Since | 1939 | 1964 |
Years Franchising | 87 yrs | 62 yrs |
Headquarters | COSTA MESA, CA | Appleton, WI |
Category | Fine Arts Schools | Fine Arts Schools |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2026 | 2026 |
Which Is Better — Arthur Murray Dance Studio or Fred Astaire Dance Studios?
Lower upfront capital required
Arthur Murray Dance Studio
Arthur Murray Dance Studio: $71K starting · Fred Astaire Dance Studios: $296K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Arthur Murray Dance Studio
Arthur Murray Dance Studio: 69 SBA loans · Fred Astaire Dance Studios: 47 SBA loans
Lower historical default rate
Tie
Arthur Murray Dance Studio: 4.3% · Fred Astaire Dance Studios: 4.3%
Larger system & brand presence
Fred Astaire Dance Studios
Arthur Murray Dance Studio: 237 units · Fred Astaire Dance Studios: 261 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Fred Astaire Dance Studios
Arthur Murray Dance Studio: 8% · Fred Astaire Dance Studios: 7%
More lender financing options
Arthur Murray Dance Studio
Arthur Murray Dance Studio: 42 unique lenders · Fred Astaire Dance Studios: 24 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.
Need Funding for Arthur Murray Dance Studio or Fred Astaire Dance Studios?
PeerSense connects you with 500+ SBA lenders and capital sources. Our referral fee is established upfront and paid at closing. No retainers.
SBA Lenders & Capital Sources
Retainers or Consulting Fees
10% Down Franchise Loans
About These Franchises
Arthur Murray Dance Studio vs Fred Astaire Dance Studios: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Arthur Murray Dance Studio and Fred Astaire Dance Studios is about more than brand preference — it's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $71K to $658K.
Both brands have active SBA lending histories — Arthur Murray Dance Studio with 69 SBA loans and Fred Astaire Dance Studios with 47. 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.