Big Apple Bagels vs TACO TIME INTERNATIONAL
Big Apple Bagels vs TACO TIME INTERNATIONAL: Big Apple Bagels costs $52K to $248K to open; TACO TIME INTERNATIONAL costs $156K to $824K. Big Apple Bagels has 56 units, TACO TIME INTERNATIONAL has 65. SBA loan history: Big Apple Bagels = 85 loans (31.8% default); TACO TIME INTERNATIONAL = 77 loans (26.0% 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.
Big Apple Bagels vs TACO TIME INTERNATIONAL: 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 $156K for TACO TIME INTERNATIONAL), a 67% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $57K for Big Apple Bagels versus $30K for TACO TIME INTERNATIONAL, TACO TIME INTERNATIONAL has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 5% for Big Apple Bagels and 5% for TACO TIME INTERNATIONAL, equal royalty drag.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, TACO TIME INTERNATIONAL operates 65 units to Big Apple Bagels's 56. Big Apple Bagels has been operating 33 years (founded 1993) versus 5 for TACO TIME INTERNATIONAL (founded 2021), a 28-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Big Apple Bagels has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 85 7(a) approvals compared with 77 for TACO TIME INTERNATIONAL.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 31.8% for Big Apple Bagels and 26.0% for TACO TIME INTERNATIONAL, TACO TIME INTERNATIONAL has the cleaner SBA loss record by 5.8 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 28 (Fair) for Big Apple Bagels and 28 (Fair) for TACO TIME INTERNATIONAL.
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 | 77 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 31.8% | 26.0% |
Peer Tier | established | established |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $52K to $248K | $156K to $824K |
Franchise Fee | $57K | $30K |
Royalty Rate | 5% | 5% |
Ad Fund | 3% | 4% |
Liquid Capital | N/A | $100K |
Net Worth Required | N/A | $250K |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Disclosed | Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 56 | 65 |
Franchised Units | 56 | 65 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | 10 yrs | 10 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1993 | 2021 |
Franchising Since | 1993 | 1960 |
Years Franchising | 33 yrs | 66 yrs |
Headquarters | KALAMAZOO, MI | Scottsdale, AZ |
Category | Gasoline Stations with Convenience Stores | Gasoline Stations with Convenience Stores |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2025 | 2024 |
Which Is Better, Big Apple Bagels or TACO TIME INTERNATIONAL?
Lower upfront capital required
Big Apple Bagels
Big Apple Bagels: $52K starting · TACO TIME INTERNATIONAL: $156K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Big Apple Bagels
Big Apple Bagels: 85 SBA loans · TACO TIME INTERNATIONAL: 77 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
TACO TIME INTERNATIONAL
Big Apple Bagels: 31.8% · TACO TIME INTERNATIONAL: 26.0%
Larger system & brand presence
TACO TIME INTERNATIONAL
Big Apple Bagels: 56 units · TACO TIME INTERNATIONAL: 65 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Tie
Big Apple Bagels: 5% · TACO TIME INTERNATIONAL: 5%
More lender financing options
Big Apple Bagels
Big Apple Bagels: 50 unique lenders · TACO TIME INTERNATIONAL: 35 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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Big Apple Bagels vs TACO TIME INTERNATIONAL: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Big Apple Bagels and TACO TIME INTERNATIONAL is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $52K to $824K.
Big Apple Bagels has 85 SBA loans on record and TACO TIME INTERNATIONAL has 77. 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 TACO TIME INTERNATIONAL, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Big Apple Bagels or TACO TIME INTERNATIONAL?
How much does a Big Apple Bagels franchise cost compared to TACO TIME INTERNATIONAL?
Can I finance Big Apple Bagels or TACO TIME INTERNATIONAL with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Big Apple Bagels or TACO TIME INTERNATIONAL?
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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