Blingle! vs The Grounds Guys
Blingle! vs The Grounds Guys: Blingle! costs $196K–$256K to open; The Grounds Guys costs $75K–$225K. Blingle! has 34 units, The Grounds Guys has 191. SBA loan history: Blingle! = 60 loans (1.7% default); The Grounds Guys = 241 loans (15.8% default). The franchise with more SBA-funded units, lower default rate, and lower royalty load is the safer financing bet, see the comparison below.
Blingle! vs The Grounds Guys: 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
The Grounds Guys requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($75K vs $196K for Blingle!), a 162% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $60K for Blingle! versus $35K for The Grounds Guys, The Grounds Guys has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 5% for Blingle! and 6% for The Grounds Guys, giving Blingle! the lighter per-unit drag on operating income.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, The Grounds Guys operates 191 units to Blingle!'s 34, roughly 6× the system size.
SBA Lending Profile
The Grounds Guys has the deeper SBA lending track record with 241 historical 7(a) approvals versus 60 for Blingle!. Blingle!'s peak SBA year was 2023 (37 loans); The Grounds Guys's peak was 2021 (38 loans). Blingle!'s more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Both systems concentrate the most SBA-funded units in TX. Borrowers in that state will find the deepest lender familiarity with either brand. Average SBA loan size on funded Blingle! deals is $292K vs $171K for The Grounds Guys, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 1.7% for Blingle! and 15.8% for The Grounds Guys, Blingle! has the cleaner historical loss profile by 14.1 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 70 (Strong) for Blingle! and 67 (Strong) for The Grounds Guys, giving Blingle! the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 70/100 | 67/100 |
Health Tier | Strong | Strong |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | N/A | Stable |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 60 | 241 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 1.7% | 15.8% |
Peer Tier | established | major |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $196K – $256K | $75K – $225K |
Franchise Fee | $60K | $35K |
Royalty Rate | 5% | 6% |
Ad Fund | 3% | 2% |
Liquid Capital | N/A | $30K |
Net Worth Required | N/A | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 34 | 191 |
Franchised Units | 34 | 191 |
Company-Owned | – | – |
Term Length | 10 yrs | 10 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | N/A | 1987 |
Franchising Since | N/A | 2010 |
Years Franchising | N/A | 16 yrs |
Headquarters | TX | Waco, TX |
Category | Landscaping Services | Landscaping Services |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2025 | 2026 |
Which Is Better, Blingle! or The Grounds Guys?
Lower upfront capital required
The Grounds Guys
Blingle!: $196K starting · The Grounds Guys: $75K starting
More SBA lender confidence
The Grounds Guys
Blingle!: 60 SBA loans · The Grounds Guys: 241 SBA loans
Lower historical default rate
Blingle!
Blingle!: 1.7% · The Grounds Guys: 15.8%
Larger system & brand presence
The Grounds Guys
Blingle!: 34 units · The Grounds Guys: 191 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Blingle!
Blingle!: 5% · The Grounds Guys: 6%
More lender financing options
The Grounds Guys
Blingle!: 7 unique lenders · The Grounds Guys: 29 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
Blingle! vs The Grounds Guys: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Blingle! and The Grounds Guys is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $75K to $256K.
Both brands have active SBA lending histories, Blingle! with 60 SBA loans and The Grounds Guys with 241. 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.
Blingle! vs The Grounds Guys, Frequently Asked Questions
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