Big Apple Bagels vs Sunoco Service Station
Big Apple Bagels vs Sunoco Service Station: Big Apple Bagels costs $52K to $248K to open; Sunoco Service Station costs $50K to $867K. Big Apple Bagels has 56 units, Sunoco Service Station has 135. SBA loan history: Big Apple Bagels = 85 loans (31.8% default); Sunoco Service Station = 145 loans (8.3% 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 Sunoco 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
Sunoco Service Station requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($50K vs $52K for Big Apple Bagels), a 4% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $57K for Big Apple Bagels versus $26K for Sunoco Service Station, Sunoco Service Station has the lower entry fee.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Sunoco Service Station operates 135 units to Big Apple Bagels's 56, roughly 2× the system size. Big Apple Bagels has been operating 33 years (founded 1993) versus 8 for Sunoco Service Station (founded 2018), a 25-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Sunoco Service Station has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 145 7(a) approvals compared with 85 for Big Apple Bagels. Big Apple Bagels's peak SBA year was 1996 (13 loans); Sunoco Service Station's peak was 2007 (16 loans). Sunoco Service Station's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Big Apple Bagels has the most SBA funded units in MI, with 22. Sunoco Service Station leads in PA, with 42. 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 $445K for Sunoco 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 8.3% for Sunoco Service Station, Sunoco Service Station has the cleaner SBA loss record by 23.5 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 28 (Fair) for Big Apple Bagels and 36 (Fair) for Sunoco Service Station, giving Sunoco Service Station the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 28/100 | 36/100 |
Health Tier | Limited | Fair |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 85 | 145 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 31.8% | 8.3% |
Peer Tier | established | major |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $52K to $248K | $50K to $867K |
Franchise Fee | $57K | $26K |
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 | 135 |
Franchised Units | 56 | 135 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | 10 yrs | N/A |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1993 | 2018 |
Franchising Since | 1993 | N/A |
Years Franchising | 33 yrs | N/A |
Headquarters | KALAMAZOO, MI | PHILADELPHIA, PA |
Category | Gasoline Stations with Convenience Stores | Gasoline Stations with Convenience Stores |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2025 | N/A |
Which Is Better, Big Apple Bagels or Sunoco Service Station?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Big Apple Bagels: $52K starting · Sunoco Service Station: $50K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Sunoco Service Station
Big Apple Bagels: 85 SBA loans · Sunoco Service Station: 145 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Sunoco Service Station
Big Apple Bagels: 31.8% · Sunoco Service Station: 8.3%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
Big Apple Bagels: 56 units · Sunoco Service Station: 135 units
More lender financing options
Sunoco Service Station
Big Apple Bagels: 50 unique lenders · Sunoco Service Station: 55 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.
Need Funding for Big Apple Bagels or Sunoco Service Station?
PeerSense connects you with 500+ SBA lenders and capital sources. Our referral fee is established upfront and paid at closing.
SBA Lenders & Capital Sources
Retainers or Consulting Fees
10% Down Franchise Loans
About These Franchises
Big Apple Bagels vs Sunoco Service Station: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Big Apple Bagels and Sunoco Service Station is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $50K to $867K.
Big Apple Bagels has 85 SBA loans on record and Sunoco Service Station has 145. 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.
Big Apple Bagels vs Sunoco Service Station, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Big Apple Bagels or Sunoco Service Station?
How much does a Big Apple Bagels franchise cost compared to Sunoco Service Station?
Can I finance Big Apple Bagels or Sunoco Service Station with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Big Apple Bagels or Sunoco Service Station?
Talk to PeerSense
Tell us which brand and your budget. We source capital from lenders who have already funded deals in these systems.
Franchise / SBA 7(a): The desk will reach out. No obligation.
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