Balloons & Bears vs Party America
Balloons & Bears vs Party America: Balloons & Bears costs $47K to $71K to open; Party America costs $46K to $362K. Balloons & Bears has 5 units, Party America has 5. SBA loan history: Balloons & Bears = 10 loans (50.0% default); Party America = 8 loans (25.0% 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.
Balloons & Bears vs Party America: 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
Party America requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($46K vs $47K for Balloons & Bears), a 4% spread.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Party America operates 5 units to Balloons & Bears's 5.
SBA Lending Profile
Balloons & Bears has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 10 7(a) approvals compared with 8 for Party America. Balloons & Bears's peak SBA year was 1996 (6 loans); Party America's peak was 2008 (2 loans). Party America's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Balloons & Bears has the most SBA funded units in CA, with 4. Party America leads in TX, with 2. Borrowers should pick the brand whose strongest SBA state matches their own state for warmer lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded Balloons & Bears deals is $57K vs $237K for Party America, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 50.0% for Balloons & Bears and 25.0% for Party America, Party America has the cleaner SBA loss record by 25.0 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 30 (Fair) for Balloons & Bears and 18 (Fair) for Party America, giving Balloons & Bears the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 30/100 | 18/100 |
Health Tier | Limited | Limited |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | N/A | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 10 | 8 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 50.0% | 25.0% |
Peer Tier | growing | emerging |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $47K to $71K | $46K to $362K |
Franchise Fee | $48K | N/A |
Royalty Rate | N/A | N/A |
Ad Fund | N/A | N/A |
Liquid Capital | N/A | N/A |
Net Worth Required | N/A | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 5 | 5 |
Franchised Units | 5 | 5 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | N/A | N/A |
Brand Information
Year Founded | N/A | 1986 |
Franchising Since | N/A | N/A |
Years Franchising | N/A | N/A |
Headquarters | PLEASANATON, CA | Woodcliff Lake, NJ |
Category | Gift, Novelty, | Gift, Novelty, |
Website | ||
FDD Year | N/A | N/A |
Which Is Better, Balloons & Bears or Party America?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Balloons & Bears: $47K starting · Party America: $46K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Balloons & Bears
Balloons & Bears: 10 SBA loans · Party America: 8 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Party America
Balloons & Bears: 50.0% · Party America: 25.0%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
Balloons & Bears: 5 units · Party America: 5 units
More lender financing options
Party America
Balloons & Bears: 6 unique lenders · Party America: 7 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
Balloons & Bears vs Party America: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Balloons & Bears and Party America is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $46K to $362K.
Balloons & Bears has 10 SBA loans on record and Party America has 8. 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.
Balloons & Bears vs Party America, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Balloons & Bears or Party America?
How much does a Balloons & Bears franchise cost compared to Party America?
Can I finance Balloons & Bears or Party America with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Balloons & Bears or Party America?
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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