Which has more SBA loans, Big Apple Bagels or Citgo Service Station?

Big Apple Bagels has 85 SBA 7(a) historical approvals; Citgo Service Station has 111. Citgo Service Station has the deeper public lender track record, which generally translates into faster pre-qualification and broader lender familiarity.

What is the default rate for Big Apple Bagels vs Citgo Service Station SBA loans?

Big Apple Bagels's SBA default rate is 31.8%, versus 13.5% for Citgo Service Station. Citgo Service Station has the cleaner loss profile, which capital sources weigh when pricing the next deal in the brand.

When did Big Apple Bagels and Citgo Service Station peak in SBA lending volume?

Big Apple Bagels's SBA approval peak was 1996 with 13 loans; Citgo Service Station's peak was 2008 with 9. A more recent peak (currently Citgo Service Station) generally indicates fresher lender appetite and easier financing today.

Which states have the most Big Apple Bagels and Citgo Service Station SBA loans?

Big Apple Bagels leads in MI with 22 SBA-funded units; Citgo Service Station leads in IL with 25. The brand that matches your operating state typically closes faster because local lenders already know the unit economics.

Side by Side Comparison

Big Apple Bagels vs Citgo Service Station

Quick Answer

Big Apple Bagels vs Citgo Service Station: Big Apple Bagels costs $52K to $248K to open; Citgo Service Station costs $141K to $1.3M. Big Apple Bagels has 56 units, Citgo Service Station has 111. SBA loan history: Big Apple Bagels = 85 loans (31.8% default); Citgo Service Station = 111 loans (13.5% 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.

Big Apple Bagels vs Citgo Service Station: 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

Big Apple Bagels requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($52K vs $141K for Citgo Service Station), a 63% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $57K for Big Apple Bagels versus $25K for Citgo Service Station, Citgo Service Station has the lower entry fee.

System Scale & Tenure

On scale, Citgo Service Station operates 111 units to Big Apple Bagels's 56. Citgo Service Station has been operating 61 years (founded 1965) versus 33 for Big Apple Bagels (founded 1993), a 28-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.

SBA Lending Profile

Citgo Service Station has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 111 7(a) approvals compared with 85 for Big Apple Bagels. Big Apple Bagels's peak SBA year was 1996 (13 loans); Citgo Service Station's peak was 2008 (9 loans). Citgo Service Station's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Big Apple Bagels has the most SBA funded units in MI, with 22. Citgo Service Station leads in IL, with 25. Borrowers should pick the brand whose strongest SBA state matches their own state for warmer lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded Big Apple Bagels deals is $138K vs $626K for Citgo Service Station, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.

Risk Signal

SBA default rates are 31.8% for Big Apple Bagels and 13.5% for Citgo Service Station, Citgo Service Station has the cleaner SBA loss record by 18.3 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 28 (Fair) for Big Apple Bagels and 28 (Fair) for Citgo Service Station.

Big Apple Bagels

Gasoline Stations with Convenience Stores

28 7W

Citgo Service Station

Gasoline Stations with Convenience Stores

Health & Performance

FPI Score	28/100	28/100
Health Tier	Limited	Limited
Confidence	N/A	N/A
Lending Trend	Declining	Declining

SBA Lending

SBA Loans	85	111
SBA Volume	–	–
Default Rate	31.8%	13.5%
Peer Tier	established	major

Investment & Costs

Total Investment	$52K to $248K	$141K to $1.3M
Franchise Fee	$57K	$25K
Royalty Rate	5%	N/A
Ad Fund	3%	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	56	111
Franchised Units	56	111
Company Owned	–	–
Term Length	10 yrs	N/A

Brand Information

Year Founded	1993	1965
Franchising Since	1993	N/A
Years Franchising	33 yrs	N/A
Headquarters	KALAMAZOO, MI	Chicago, IL
Category	Gasoline Stations with Convenience Stores	Gasoline Stations with Convenience Stores
Website	bigapplebagels.com	citgo.com/business-partners/become-citgo-marketerdealer
FDD Year	2025	N/A

Which Is Better, Big Apple Bagels or Citgo Service Station?

Lower upfront capital required

Tie

Big Apple Bagels: $52K starting · Citgo Service Station: $141K starting

More SBA lender confidence

Citgo Service Station

Big Apple Bagels: 85 SBA loans · Citgo Service Station: 111 SBA loans

Lower SBA default rate

Citgo Service Station

Big Apple Bagels: 31.8% · Citgo Service Station: 13.5%

Larger system & brand presence

Tie

Big Apple Bagels: 56 units · Citgo Service Station: 111 units

More lender financing options

Citgo Service Station

Big Apple Bagels: 50 unique lenders · Citgo Service Station: 64 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

Big Apple Bagels

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Big Apple Bagels vs Citgo Service Station: Franchise Funding Comparison

Comparing Big Apple Bagels and Citgo Service Station is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $52K to $1.3M.

Big Apple Bagels has 85 SBA loans on record and Citgo Service Station has 111. 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.

SBA Loan Guide Franchise Funding Options Best SBA Franchise Lenders All Franchises Talk to PeerSense

Big Apple Bagels vs Citgo Service Station, Frequently Asked Questions

Which is a better franchise investment, Big Apple Bagels or Citgo Service Station?

Compare Big Apple Bagels vs Citgo Service Station franchise costs, FDD data, royalty rates, unit counts, and SBA lending history side by side above. The best franchise depends on your capital, market, and risk tolerance, not a single ranking. Use the decision matrix above to see which brand wins on each financing dimension.

How much does a Big Apple Bagels franchise cost compared to Citgo Service Station?

Big Apple Bagels requires $52K to $248K in total initial investment with a $57K franchise fee. Citgo Service Station requires $141K to $1.3M with a $25K franchise fee. All numbers come from official Franchise Disclosure Document filings.

Can I finance Big Apple Bagels or Citgo Service Station with an SBA loan?

Both brands appear on the SBA Franchise Directory and have funded SBA 7(a) loans: Big Apple Bagels has 85 SBA loans on record; Citgo Service Station has 111. SBA 7(a) is the most common franchise financing vehicle, offering up to $5M with 10% down. PeerSense routes your deal to lenders who have already approved the brand.

Which has a lower SBA default rate, Big Apple Bagels or Citgo Service Station?

Big Apple Bagels: 31.8% SBA default rate. Citgo Service Station: 13.5% SBA default rate. Lower default rates mean lenders quote tighter rates and underwrite faster.

Compare Big Apple Bagels to other franchises Compare Citgo Service Station to other franchises Browse all Gasoline Stations with Convenience Stores franchises

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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 October 2, 2026LinkedIn profile About Edward Freeman