Big Frog Custom T-Shirts vs Embroidme
Big Frog Custom T-Shirts vs Embroidme: Big Frog Custom T-Shirts costs $164K to $323K to open; Embroidme costs $81K to $242K. Big Frog Custom T-Shirts has 74 units, Embroidme has 19. SBA loan history: Big Frog Custom T-Shirts = 17 loans (5.9% default); Embroidme = 37 loans (40.5% 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 Frog Custom T-Shirts vs Embroidme: 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
Embroidme requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($81K vs $164K for Big Frog Custom T-Shirts), a 103% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $60K for Big Frog Custom T-Shirts versus $50K for Embroidme, Embroidme has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 6% for Big Frog Custom T-Shirts and 6% for Embroidme, equal royalty drag.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Big Frog Custom T-Shirts operates 74 units to Embroidme's 19, roughly 4× the system size. Embroidme has been operating 26 years (founded 2000) versus 18 for Big Frog Custom T-Shirts (founded 2008), a 8-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Embroidme has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 37 7(a) approvals compared with 17 for Big Frog Custom T-Shirts.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 5.9% for Big Frog Custom T-Shirts and 40.5% for Embroidme, Big Frog Custom T-Shirts has the cleaner SBA loss record by 34.6 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 46 (Fair) for Big Frog Custom T-Shirts and 23 (Fair) for Embroidme, giving Big Frog Custom T-Shirts the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 46/100 | 23/100 |
Health Tier | Fair | Limited |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 17 | 37 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 5.9% | 40.5% |
Peer Tier | growing | established |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $164K to $323K | $81K to $242K |
Franchise Fee | $60K | $50K |
Royalty Rate | 6% | 6% |
Ad Fund | 1.5% | 1% |
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 | 74 | 19 |
Franchised Units | 74 | 19 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | 10 yrs | 35 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 2008 | 2000 |
Franchising Since | 2008 | N/A |
Years Franchising | 18 yrs | N/A |
Headquarters | Dunedin, FL | WEST PALM BEACH, FL |
Category | Other Clothing Stores | Other Clothing Stores |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2025 | N/A |
Which Is Better, Big Frog Custom T-Shirts or Embroidme?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Big Frog Custom T-Shirts: $164K starting · Embroidme: $81K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Embroidme
Big Frog Custom T-Shirts: 17 SBA loans · Embroidme: 37 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Big Frog Custom T-Shirts
Big Frog Custom T-Shirts: 5.9% · Embroidme: 40.5%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
Big Frog Custom T-Shirts: 74 units · Embroidme: 19 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Tie
Big Frog Custom T-Shirts: 6% · Embroidme: 6%
More lender financing options
Embroidme
Big Frog Custom T-Shirts: 9 unique lenders · Embroidme: 13 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 Frog Custom T-Shirts vs Embroidme: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Big Frog Custom T-Shirts and Embroidme is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $81K to $323K.
Big Frog Custom T-Shirts has 17 SBA loans on record and Embroidme has 37. 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 Frog Custom T-Shirts vs Embroidme, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Big Frog Custom T-Shirts or Embroidme?
How much does a Big Frog Custom T-Shirts franchise cost compared to Embroidme?
Can I finance Big Frog Custom T-Shirts or Embroidme with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Big Frog Custom T-Shirts or Embroidme?
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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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