CANDLEMAN vs Crown Trophy
CANDLEMAN vs Crown Trophy: CANDLEMAN costs $175K–$225K to open; Crown Trophy costs $38K–$419K. CANDLEMAN has 43 units, Crown Trophy has 44. SBA loan history: CANDLEMAN = 48 loans (43.8% default); Crown Trophy = 57 loans (7.0% default). The franchise with more SBA-funded units, lower default rate, and lower royalty load is the safer financing bet, see the comparison below.
CANDLEMAN vs Crown Trophy: 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
Crown Trophy requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($38K vs $175K for CANDLEMAN), a 361% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $35K for CANDLEMAN versus $35K for Crown Trophy. Ongoing royalty load is 6% for CANDLEMAN and 5% for Crown Trophy, giving Crown Trophy the lighter per-unit drag on operating income.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Crown Trophy operates 44 units to CANDLEMAN's 43. Crown Trophy has been operating 48 years (founded 1978) versus 34 for CANDLEMAN (founded 1992), a 14-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Crown Trophy has the deeper SBA lending track record with 57 historical 7(a) approvals versus 48 for CANDLEMAN.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 43.8% for CANDLEMAN and 7.0% for Crown Trophy, Crown Trophy has the cleaner historical loss profile by 36.8 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 22 (Fair) for CANDLEMAN and 46 (Fair) for Crown Trophy, giving Crown Trophy the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 22/100 | 46/100 |
Health Tier | Limited | Fair |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 48 | 57 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 43.8% | 7.0% |
Peer Tier | established | established |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $175K – $225K | $38K – $419K |
Franchise Fee | $35K | $35K |
Royalty Rate | 6% | 5% |
Ad Fund | N/A | 2% |
Liquid Capital | N/A | N/A |
Net Worth Required | N/A | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 43 | 44 |
Franchised Units | 43 | 44 |
Company-Owned | – | – |
Term Length | N/A | 10 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1992 | 1978 |
Franchising Since | N/A | N/A |
Years Franchising | N/A | N/A |
Headquarters | Charleston, SC | Hawthorne, NY |
Category | All Other Miscellaneous Store Retailers | All Other Miscellaneous Store Retailers |
Website | ||
FDD Year | N/A | 2025 |
Which Is Better, CANDLEMAN or Crown Trophy?
Lower upfront capital required
Crown Trophy
CANDLEMAN: $175K starting · Crown Trophy: $38K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Crown Trophy
CANDLEMAN: 48 SBA loans · Crown Trophy: 57 SBA loans
Lower historical default rate
Crown Trophy
CANDLEMAN: 43.8% · Crown Trophy: 7.0%
Larger system & brand presence
Crown Trophy
CANDLEMAN: 43 units · Crown Trophy: 44 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Crown Trophy
CANDLEMAN: 6% · Crown Trophy: 5%
More lender financing options
Crown Trophy
CANDLEMAN: 24 unique lenders · Crown Trophy: 37 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
CANDLEMAN vs Crown Trophy: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing CANDLEMAN and Crown Trophy is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $38K to $419K.
Both brands have active SBA lending histories, CANDLEMAN with 48 SBA loans and Crown Trophy with 57. 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.
CANDLEMAN vs Crown Trophy, Frequently Asked Questions
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