Blimpie vs Dunkin' Donuts
Blimpie vs Dunkin' Donuts: Blimpie costs $242K to $564K to open; Dunkin' Donuts costs $438K to $1.8M. Blimpie has 582 units, Dunkin' Donuts has 310. SBA loan history: Blimpie = 658 loans (24.3% default); Dunkin' Donuts = 359 loans (1.7% 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.
Blimpie vs Dunkin' Donuts: 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
Blimpie requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($242K vs $438K for Dunkin' Donuts), a 45% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $12K for Blimpie versus $40K for Dunkin' Donuts, Blimpie has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 6% for Blimpie and 5.9% for Dunkin' Donuts, giving Dunkin' Donuts the lighter per-unit drag on operating income.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Blimpie operates 582 units to Dunkin' Donuts's 310. Dunkin' Donuts has been operating 76 years (founded 1950) versus 62 for Blimpie (founded 1964), a 14-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Blimpie has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 658 7(a) approvals compared with 359 for Dunkin' Donuts.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 24.3% for Blimpie and 1.7% for Dunkin' Donuts, Dunkin' Donuts has the cleaner SBA loss record by 22.6 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 30 (Fair) for Blimpie and 61 (Moderate) for Dunkin' Donuts, giving Dunkin' Donuts the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 30/100 | 61/100 |
Health Tier | Limited | Moderate |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 658 | 359 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 24.3% | 1.7% |
Peer Tier | major | major |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $242K to $564K | $438K to $1.8M |
Franchise Fee | $12K | $40K |
Royalty Rate | 6% | 5.9% |
Ad Fund | N/A | 5% |
Liquid Capital | $125K | $250K |
Net Worth Required | $250K | $500K |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Not Disclosed | Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 582 | 310 |
Franchised Units | 582 | 310 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | 5 yrs | 20 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1964 | 1950 |
Franchising Since | N/A | 1955 |
Years Franchising | N/A | 71 yrs |
Headquarters | Scottsdale, AZ | Canton, MA |
Category | Snack | Snack |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2024 | N/A |
Which Is Better, Blimpie or Dunkin' Donuts?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Blimpie: $242K starting · Dunkin' Donuts: $438K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Blimpie
Blimpie: 658 SBA loans · Dunkin' Donuts: 359 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Dunkin' Donuts
Blimpie: 24.3% · Dunkin' Donuts: 1.7%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
Blimpie: 582 units · Dunkin' Donuts: 310 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Dunkin' Donuts
Blimpie: 6% · Dunkin' Donuts: 5.9%
More lender financing options
Blimpie
Blimpie: 197 unique lenders · Dunkin' Donuts: 135 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
Blimpie vs Dunkin' Donuts: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Blimpie and Dunkin' Donuts is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $242K to $1.8M.
Blimpie has 658 SBA loans on record and Dunkin' Donuts has 359. 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.
Blimpie vs Dunkin' Donuts, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Blimpie or Dunkin' Donuts?
How much does a Blimpie franchise cost compared to Dunkin' Donuts?
Can I finance Blimpie or Dunkin' Donuts with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Blimpie or Dunkin' Donuts?
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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; it does not lend, fund, or approve loans, and 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