Bahama Bucks vs BIGGBY Coffee
Bahama Bucks vs BIGGBY Coffee: Bahama Bucks costs $309K to $966K to open; BIGGBY Coffee costs $296K to $1.0M. Bahama Bucks has 100 units, BIGGBY Coffee has 194. SBA loan history: Bahama Bucks = 134 loans (11.2% default); BIGGBY Coffee = 289 loans (1.0% 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.
Bahama Bucks vs BIGGBY Coffee: 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
BIGGBY Coffee requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($296K vs $309K for Bahama Bucks), a 4% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $35K for Bahama Bucks versus $20K for BIGGBY Coffee, BIGGBY Coffee has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 6% for Bahama Bucks and 6% for BIGGBY Coffee, equal royalty drag.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, BIGGBY Coffee operates 194 units to Bahama Bucks's 100. Bahama Bucks has been operating 36 years (founded 1990) versus 31 for BIGGBY Coffee (founded 1995), a 5-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
BIGGBY Coffee has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 289 7(a) approvals compared with 134 for Bahama Bucks. Bahama Bucks's peak SBA year was 2015 (20 loans); BIGGBY Coffee's peak was 2023 (44 loans). BIGGBY Coffee's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Bahama Bucks has the most SBA funded units in TX, with 95. BIGGBY Coffee leads in MI, with 147. Borrowers should pick the brand whose strongest SBA state matches their own state for warmer lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded Bahama Bucks deals is $502K vs $277K for BIGGBY Coffee, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 11.2% for Bahama Bucks and 1.0% for BIGGBY Coffee, BIGGBY Coffee has the cleaner SBA loss record by 10.2 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 52 (Moderate) for Bahama Bucks and 75 (Strong) for BIGGBY Coffee, giving BIGGBY Coffee the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 52/100 | 75/100 |
Health Tier | Moderate | Strong |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Stable |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 134 | 289 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 11.2% | 1.0% |
Peer Tier | major | major |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $309K to $966K | $296K to $1.0M |
Franchise Fee | $35K | $20K |
Royalty Rate | 6% | 6% |
Ad Fund | 2% | 3% |
Liquid Capital | $75K | N/A |
Net Worth Required | $300K | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Disclosed | Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 100 | 194 |
Franchised Units | 100 | 194 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | 10 yrs | 10 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1990 | 1995 |
Franchising Since | 1993 | 1999 |
Years Franchising | 33 yrs | 27 yrs |
Headquarters | TX | East Lansing, MI |
Category | Snack | Snack |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2025 | 2025 |
Which Is Better, Bahama Bucks or BIGGBY Coffee?
Lower upfront capital required
BIGGBY Coffee
Bahama Bucks: $309K starting · BIGGBY Coffee: $296K starting
More SBA lender confidence
BIGGBY Coffee
Bahama Bucks: 134 SBA loans · BIGGBY Coffee: 289 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
BIGGBY Coffee
Bahama Bucks: 11.2% · BIGGBY Coffee: 1.0%
Larger system & brand presence
BIGGBY Coffee
Bahama Bucks: 100 units · BIGGBY Coffee: 194 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Tie
Bahama Bucks: 6% · BIGGBY Coffee: 6%
More lender financing options
BIGGBY Coffee
Bahama Bucks: 47 unique lenders · BIGGBY Coffee: 70 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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Bahama Bucks vs BIGGBY Coffee: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Bahama Bucks and BIGGBY Coffee is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $296K to $1.0M.
Bahama Bucks has 134 SBA loans on record and BIGGBY Coffee has 289. 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.
Bahama Bucks vs BIGGBY Coffee, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Bahama Bucks or BIGGBY Coffee?
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Which has a lower SBA default rate, Bahama Bucks or BIGGBY Coffee?
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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