Breadsmith vs Nothing Bundt Cakes
Breadsmith vs Nothing Bundt Cakes: Breadsmith costs $101K–$506K to open; Nothing Bundt Cakes costs $257K–$387K. Breadsmith has 32 units, Nothing Bundt Cakes has 276. SBA loan history: Breadsmith = 34 loans (5.9% default); Nothing Bundt Cakes = 318 loans (0.0% default). The franchise with more SBA-funded units, lower default rate, and lower royalty load is the safer financing bet, see the comparison below.
Breadsmith vs Nothing Bundt Cakes: 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
Breadsmith requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($101K vs $257K for Nothing Bundt Cakes), a 61% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $49K for Breadsmith versus $35K for Nothing Bundt Cakes, Nothing Bundt Cakes has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 7% for Breadsmith and 6% for Nothing Bundt Cakes, giving Nothing Bundt Cakes the lighter per-unit drag on operating income.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Nothing Bundt Cakes operates 276 units to Breadsmith's 32, roughly 9× the system size. Breadsmith has been operating 33 years (founded 1993) versus 29 for Nothing Bundt Cakes (founded 1997), a 4-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Nothing Bundt Cakes has the deeper SBA lending track record with 318 historical 7(a) approvals versus 34 for Breadsmith. Breadsmith's peak SBA year was 1996 (7 loans); Nothing Bundt Cakes's peak was 2021 (47 loans). Nothing Bundt Cakes's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Geographically, Breadsmith concentrates in WI (13 SBA-funded units) while Nothing Bundt Cakes leads in TX (37). Pick the brand whose strongest state matches yours for warmest lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded Breadsmith deals is $153K vs $480K for Nothing Bundt Cakes, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 5.9% for Breadsmith and 0.0% for Nothing Bundt Cakes, Nothing Bundt Cakes has the cleaner historical loss profile by 5.9 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 52 (Moderate) for Breadsmith and 71 (Strong) for Nothing Bundt Cakes, giving Nothing Bundt Cakes the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 52/100 | 71/100 |
Health Tier | Moderate | Strong |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 34 | 318 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 5.9% | 0.0% |
Peer Tier | established | major |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $101K – $506K | $257K – $387K |
Franchise Fee | $49K | $35K |
Royalty Rate | 7% | 6% |
Ad Fund | 2% | 5% |
Liquid Capital | N/A | $150K |
Net Worth Required | N/A | $600K |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Disclosed | Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 32 | 276 |
Franchised Units | 28 | 276 |
Company-Owned | 4 | – |
Term Length | 15 yrs | 10 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1993 | 1997 |
Franchising Since | 1993 | 1960 |
Years Franchising | 33 yrs | 66 yrs |
Headquarters | APPLETON, WI | RIVERSIDE, CA |
Category | Retail Bakeries | Retail Bakeries |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2025 | 2026 |
Which Is Better, Breadsmith or Nothing Bundt Cakes?
Lower upfront capital required
Breadsmith
Breadsmith: $101K starting · Nothing Bundt Cakes: $257K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Nothing Bundt Cakes
Breadsmith: 34 SBA loans · Nothing Bundt Cakes: 318 SBA loans
Lower historical default rate
Nothing Bundt Cakes
Breadsmith: 5.9% · Nothing Bundt Cakes: 0.0%
Larger system & brand presence
Nothing Bundt Cakes
Breadsmith: 32 units · Nothing Bundt Cakes: 276 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Nothing Bundt Cakes
Breadsmith: 7% · Nothing Bundt Cakes: 6%
More lender financing options
Nothing Bundt Cakes
Breadsmith: 20 unique lenders · Nothing Bundt Cakes: 79 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
Breadsmith vs Nothing Bundt Cakes: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Breadsmith and Nothing Bundt Cakes is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $101K to $506K.
Both brands have active SBA lending histories, Breadsmith with 34 SBA loans and Nothing Bundt Cakes with 318. 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.
Breadsmith vs Nothing Bundt Cakes, Frequently Asked Questions
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