Athlete's Foot vs FOOT SOLUTIONS
Athlete's Foot vs FOOT SOLUTIONS: Athlete's Foot costs $71K–$246K to open; FOOT SOLUTIONS costs $165K–$272K. Athlete's Foot has 55 units, FOOT SOLUTIONS has 75. SBA loan history: Athlete's Foot = 81 loans (25.9% default); FOOT SOLUTIONS = 94 loans (26.6% default). The franchise with more SBA-funded units, lower default rate, and lower royalty load is the safer financing bet — see the comparison below.
Athlete's Foot vs FOOT SOLUTIONS — 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
Athlete's Foot requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($71K vs $165K for FOOT SOLUTIONS), a 57% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $72K for Athlete's Foot versus $45K for FOOT SOLUTIONS — FOOT SOLUTIONS has the lower entry fee.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, FOOT SOLUTIONS operates 75 units to Athlete's Foot's 55.
SBA Lending Profile
FOOT SOLUTIONS has the deeper SBA lending track record with 94 historical 7(a) approvals versus 81 for Athlete's Foot.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 25.9% for Athlete's Foot and 26.6% for FOOT SOLUTIONS — Athlete's Foot has the cleaner historical loss profile by 0.7 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 25 (Fair) for Athlete's Foot and 30 (Fair) for FOOT SOLUTIONS, giving FOOT SOLUTIONS the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 25/100 | 30/100 |
Health Tier | Limited | Limited |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 81 | 94 |
SBA Volume | — | — |
Default Rate | 25.9% | 26.6% |
Peer Tier | established | established |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $71K – $246K | $165K – $272K |
Franchise Fee | $72K | $45K |
Royalty Rate | N/A | 5% |
Ad Fund | N/A | N/A |
Liquid Capital | N/A | $50K |
Net Worth Required | N/A | $250K |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 55 | 75 |
Franchised Units | 55 | 75 |
Company-Owned | — | — |
Term Length | N/A | N/A |
Brand Information
Year Founded | N/A | 2000 |
Franchising Since | N/A | N/A |
Years Franchising | N/A | N/A |
Headquarters | MIAMI, FL | N/A |
Category | Shoe Stores | Shoe Stores |
Website | ||
FDD Year | N/A | N/A |
Which Is Better — Athlete's Foot or FOOT SOLUTIONS?
Lower upfront capital required
Athlete's Foot
Athlete's Foot: $71K starting · FOOT SOLUTIONS: $165K starting
More SBA lender confidence
FOOT SOLUTIONS
Athlete's Foot: 81 SBA loans · FOOT SOLUTIONS: 94 SBA loans
Lower historical default rate
Athlete's Foot
Athlete's Foot: 25.9% · FOOT SOLUTIONS: 26.6%
Larger system & brand presence
FOOT SOLUTIONS
Athlete's Foot: 55 units · FOOT SOLUTIONS: 75 units
More lender financing options
FOOT SOLUTIONS
Athlete's Foot: 38 unique lenders · FOOT SOLUTIONS: 40 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
Athlete's Foot vs FOOT SOLUTIONS: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Athlete's Foot and FOOT SOLUTIONS is about more than brand preference — it's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $71K to $272K.
Both brands have active SBA lending histories — Athlete's Foot with 81 SBA loans and FOOT SOLUTIONS with 94. 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.