Atwork vs Snelling & Snelling
Atwork vs Snelling & Snelling: Atwork costs $156K to $213K to open; Snelling & Snelling costs $47K to $323K. Atwork has 90 units, Snelling & Snelling has 16. SBA loan history: Atwork = 11 loans (0.0% default); Snelling & Snelling = 19 loans (10.5% 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.
Atwork vs Snelling & Snelling: 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
Snelling & Snelling requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($47K vs $156K for Atwork), a 229% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $40K for Atwork versus $47K for Snelling & Snelling, Atwork has the lower entry fee.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Atwork operates 90 units to Snelling & Snelling's 16, roughly 6× the system size.
SBA Lending Profile
Snelling & Snelling has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 19 7(a) approvals compared with 11 for Atwork. Atwork's peak SBA year was 2025 (4 loans); Snelling & Snelling's peak was 1996 (4 loans). Atwork's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Atwork has the most SBA funded units in GA, with 3. Snelling & Snelling leads in TX, 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 Atwork deals is $192K vs $176K for Snelling & Snelling, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 0.0% for Atwork and 10.5% for Snelling & Snelling, Atwork has the cleaner SBA loss record by 10.5 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 60 (Moderate) for Atwork and 41 (Fair) for Snelling & Snelling, giving Atwork the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 60/100 | 41/100 |
Health Tier | Moderate | Fair |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | N/A | N/A |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 11 | 19 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 0.0% | 10.5% |
Peer Tier | growing | growing |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $156K to $213K | $47K to $323K |
Franchise Fee | $40K | $47K |
Royalty Rate | 7% | N/A |
Ad Fund | 0.5% | N/A |
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 | 90 | 16 |
Franchised Units | 84 | 16 |
Company Owned | 6 | – |
Term Length | 10 yrs | N/A |
Brand Information
Year Founded | N/A | 1967 |
Franchising Since | 1992 | N/A |
Years Franchising | 34 yrs | N/A |
Headquarters | Knoxville, TN | ALAMEDA, CA |
Category | Employment Placement Agencies | Employment Placement Agencies |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2025 | N/A |
Which Is Better, Atwork or Snelling & Snelling?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Atwork: $156K starting · Snelling & Snelling: $47K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Snelling & Snelling
Atwork: 11 SBA loans · Snelling & Snelling: 19 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Atwork
Atwork: 0.0% · Snelling & Snelling: 10.5%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
Atwork: 90 units · Snelling & Snelling: 16 units
More lender financing options
Snelling & Snelling
Atwork: 6 unique lenders · Snelling & Snelling: 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
Atwork vs Snelling & Snelling: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Atwork and Snelling & Snelling is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $47K to $323K.
Atwork has 11 SBA loans on record and Snelling & Snelling has 19. Those totals are cumulative history rather than a measure of current appetite. There is not enough recent lending activity on record to judge current appetite for at least one of these brands, so it has to be checked deal by deal.
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.
Atwork vs Snelling & Snelling, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Atwork or Snelling & Snelling?
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Can I finance Atwork or Snelling & Snelling with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Atwork or Snelling & Snelling?
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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