Candy Express vs Sweet Factory
Candy Express vs Sweet Factory: Candy Express costs $42K to $272K to open; Sweet Factory costs $80K to $501K. Candy Express has 11 units, Sweet Factory has 7. SBA loan history: Candy Express = 15 loans (26.7% default); Sweet Factory = 7 loans (0.0% 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.
Candy Express vs Sweet Factory: 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
Candy Express requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($42K vs $80K for Sweet Factory), a 47% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $52K for Candy Express versus $35K for Sweet Factory, Sweet Factory has the lower entry fee.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Candy Express operates 11 units to Sweet Factory's 7. Sweet Factory has been operating 40 years (founded 1986) versus 38 for Candy Express (founded 1988), a 2-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Candy Express has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 15 7(a) approvals compared with 7 for Sweet Factory. Candy Express's peak SBA year was 2003 (3 loans); Sweet Factory's peak was 2009 (2 loans). Sweet Factory's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Candy Express has the most SBA funded units in VA, with 4. Sweet Factory leads in CA, with 6. Borrowers should pick the brand whose strongest SBA state matches their own state for warmer lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded Candy Express deals is $140K vs $258K for Sweet Factory, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 26.7% for Candy Express and 0.0% for Sweet Factory, Sweet Factory has the cleaner SBA loss record by 26.7 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 21 (Fair) for Candy Express and 45 (Fair) for Sweet Factory, giving Sweet Factory the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 21/100 | 45/100 |
Health Tier | Limited | Fair |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 15 | 7 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 26.7% | 0.0% |
Peer Tier | growing | emerging |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $42K to $272K | $80K to $501K |
Franchise Fee | $52K | $35K |
Royalty Rate | N/A | 6% |
Ad Fund | N/A | N/A |
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 | 11 | 7 |
Franchised Units | 11 | 7 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | N/A | 10 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1988 | 1986 |
Franchising Since | N/A | N/A |
Years Franchising | N/A | N/A |
Headquarters | WOODBRIDGE, VA | Brea, CA |
Category | Confectionery | Confectionery |
Website | ||
FDD Year | N/A | N/A |
Which Is Better, Candy Express or Sweet Factory?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Candy Express: $42K starting · Sweet Factory: $80K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Candy Express
Candy Express: 15 SBA loans · Sweet Factory: 7 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Sweet Factory
Candy Express: 26.7% · Sweet Factory: 0.0%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
Candy Express: 11 units · Sweet Factory: 7 units
More lender financing options
Candy Express
Candy Express: 13 unique lenders · Sweet Factory: 4 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
Candy Express vs Sweet Factory: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Candy Express and Sweet Factory is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $42K to $501K.
Candy Express has 15 SBA loans on record and Sweet Factory has 7. 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.
Candy Express vs Sweet Factory, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Candy Express or Sweet Factory?
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Which has a lower SBA default rate, Candy Express or Sweet Factory?
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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; 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
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