Blimpie vs Dunkin' Donuts
Blimpie vs Dunkin' Donuts: Blimpie costs $242K–$564K to open; Dunkin' Donuts costs $438K–$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, lower default rate, and lower royalty load is the safer financing bet, see the comparison below.
Blimpie vs Dunkin' Donuts: Capital, Scale & Lending Analysis
Data-driven differentiation pulled from 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 historical 7(a) approvals versus 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 historical loss profile 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 – $564K | $438K – $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
Blimpie
Blimpie: $242K starting · Dunkin' Donuts: $438K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Blimpie
Blimpie: 658 SBA loans · Dunkin' Donuts: 359 SBA loans
Lower historical default rate
Dunkin' Donuts
Blimpie: 24.3% · Dunkin' Donuts: 1.7%
Larger system & brand presence
Blimpie
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.
Both brands have active SBA lending histories, Blimpie with 658 SBA loans and Dunkin' Donuts with 359. This means proven lender acceptance and established underwriting paths for franchise buyers.
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
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