Baskin-Robbins vs Smoothie King
Baskin-Robbins vs Smoothie King: Baskin-Robbins costs $307K to $623K to open; Smoothie King costs $312K to $1.4M. Baskin-Robbins has 976 units, Smoothie King has 529. SBA loan history: Baskin-Robbins = 775 loans (10.7% default); Smoothie King = 707 loans (8.2% 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.
Baskin-Robbins vs Smoothie King: 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
Baskin-Robbins requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($307K vs $312K for Smoothie King), a 1% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $25K for Baskin-Robbins versus $30K for Smoothie King, Baskin-Robbins has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 5.9% for Baskin-Robbins and 6% for Smoothie King, giving Baskin-Robbins the lighter per-unit drag on operating income.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Baskin-Robbins operates 976 units to Smoothie King's 529. Baskin-Robbins has been operating 81 years (founded 1945) versus 53 for Smoothie King (founded 1973), a 28-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Baskin-Robbins has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 775 7(a) approvals compared with 707 for Smoothie King. Baskin-Robbins's peak SBA year was 2003 (41 loans); Smoothie King's peak was 2016 (43 loans). Smoothie King's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Baskin-Robbins has the most SBA funded units in CA, with 227. Smoothie King leads in TX, with 195. Borrowers should pick the brand whose strongest SBA state matches their own state for warmer lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded Baskin-Robbins deals is $196K vs $272K for Smoothie King, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 10.7% for Baskin-Robbins and 8.2% for Smoothie King, Smoothie King has the cleaner SBA loss record by 2.5 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 64 (Moderate) for Baskin-Robbins and 68 (Strong) for Smoothie King, giving Smoothie King the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 64/100 | 68/100 |
Health Tier | Moderate | Strong |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 775 | 707 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 10.7% | 8.2% |
Peer Tier | major | major |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $307K to $623K | $312K to $1.4M |
Franchise Fee | $25K | $30K |
Royalty Rate | 5.9% | 6% |
Ad Fund | 5% | 2% |
Liquid Capital | $100K | $100K |
Net Worth Required | $300K | $300K |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Disclosed | Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 976 | 529 |
Franchised Units | 976 | 529 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | 20 yrs | 10 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1945 | 1973 |
Franchising Since | 1948 | 1960 |
Years Franchising | 78 yrs | 66 yrs |
Headquarters | Canton, MA | Dallas, TX |
Category | Limited-Service Restaurants | Limited-Service Restaurants |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2025 | 2025 |
Which Is Better, Baskin-Robbins or Smoothie King?
Lower upfront capital required
Baskin-Robbins
Baskin-Robbins: $307K starting · Smoothie King: $312K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Baskin-Robbins
Baskin-Robbins: 775 SBA loans · Smoothie King: 707 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Smoothie King
Baskin-Robbins: 10.7% · Smoothie King: 8.2%
Larger system & brand presence
Baskin-Robbins
Baskin-Robbins: 976 units · Smoothie King: 529 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Baskin-Robbins
Baskin-Robbins: 5.9% · Smoothie King: 6%
More lender financing options
Baskin-Robbins
Baskin-Robbins: 226 unique lenders · Smoothie King: 169 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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Baskin-Robbins vs Smoothie King: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Baskin-Robbins and Smoothie King is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $307K to $1.4M.
Baskin-Robbins has 775 SBA loans on record and Smoothie King has 707. 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.
Baskin-Robbins vs Smoothie King, Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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