Clix vs Image Arts Etc.
Clix vs Image Arts Etc.: Clix costs $175K to $296K to open; Image Arts Etc. costs $58K to $150K. Clix has 4 units, Image Arts Etc. has 14. SBA loan history: Clix = 9 loans (55.6% default); Image Arts Etc. = 19 loans (31.6% 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.
Clix vs Image Arts Etc.: 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
Image Arts Etc. requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($58K vs $175K for Clix), a 202% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $21K for Clix versus $68K for Image Arts Etc., Clix has the lower entry fee.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Image Arts Etc. operates 14 units to Clix's 4, roughly 4× the system size.
SBA Lending Profile
Image Arts Etc. has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 19 7(a) approvals compared with 9 for Clix. Clix's peak SBA year was 2008 (3 loans); Image Arts Etc.'s peak was 2001 (8 loans). Clix's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Clix has the most SBA funded units in NY, with 2. Image Arts Etc. leads in TX, with 4. Borrowers should pick the brand whose strongest SBA state matches their own state for warmer lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded Clix deals is $246K vs $114K for Image Arts Etc., useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 55.6% for Clix and 31.6% for Image Arts Etc., Image Arts Etc. has the cleaner SBA loss record by 24.0 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 17 (Fair) for Clix and 25 (Fair) for Image Arts Etc., giving Image Arts Etc. the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 17/100 | 25/100 |
Health Tier | Limited | Limited |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 9 | 19 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 55.6% | 31.6% |
Peer Tier | emerging | growing |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $175K to $296K | $58K to $150K |
Franchise Fee | $21K | $68K |
Royalty Rate | N/A | N/A |
Ad Fund | 2% | 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 | 4 | 14 |
Franchised Units | 4 | 14 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | 10 yrs | N/A |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1999 | N/A |
Franchising Since | N/A | N/A |
Years Franchising | N/A | N/A |
Headquarters | IL | COPPELL, TX |
Category | Photography Studios, Portrait | Photography Studios, Portrait |
Website | ||
FDD Year | N/A | N/A |
Which Is Better, Clix or Image Arts Etc.?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Clix: $175K starting · Image Arts Etc.: $58K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Image Arts Etc.
Clix: 9 SBA loans · Image Arts Etc.: 19 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Image Arts Etc.
Clix: 55.6% · Image Arts Etc.: 31.6%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
Clix: 4 units · Image Arts Etc.: 14 units
More lender financing options
Image Arts Etc.
Clix: 4 unique lenders · Image Arts Etc.: 12 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
Clix vs Image Arts Etc.: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Clix and Image Arts Etc. is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $58K to $296K.
Clix has 9 SBA loans on record and Image Arts Etc. has 19. 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.
Clix vs Image Arts Etc., Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Clix or Image Arts Etc.?
How much does a Clix franchise cost compared to Image Arts Etc.?
Can I finance Clix or Image Arts Etc. with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Clix or Image Arts Etc.?
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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
Last reviewed LinkedIn profileAbout Edward Freeman