Convenient Food Mart vs Iga Food Stores
Convenient Food Mart vs Iga Food Stores: Convenient Food Mart costs $36K–$213K to open; Iga Food Stores costs $147K–$1.4M. Convenient Food Mart has 22 units, Iga Food Stores has 45. SBA loan history: Convenient Food Mart = 32 loans (18.8% default); Iga Food Stores = 49 loans (12.2% default). The franchise with more SBA-funded units, lower default rate, and lower royalty load is the safer financing bet, see the comparison below.
Convenient Food Mart vs Iga Food Stores: 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
Convenient Food Mart requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($36K vs $147K for Iga Food Stores), a 76% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $41K for Convenient Food Mart versus $25K for Iga Food Stores, Iga Food Stores has the lower entry fee.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Iga Food Stores operates 45 units to Convenient Food Mart's 22, roughly 2× the system size. Iga Food Stores has been operating 100 years (founded 1926) versus 68 for Convenient Food Mart (founded 1958), a 32-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Iga Food Stores has the deeper SBA lending track record with 49 historical 7(a) approvals versus 32 for Convenient Food Mart. Convenient Food Mart's peak SBA year was 1995 (6 loans); Iga Food Stores's peak was 2009 (9 loans). Iga Food Stores's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Both systems concentrate the most SBA-funded units in OH. Borrowers in that state will find the deepest lender familiarity with either brand. Average SBA loan size on funded Convenient Food Mart deals is $122K vs $672K for Iga Food Stores, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 18.8% for Convenient Food Mart and 12.2% for Iga Food Stores, Iga Food Stores has the cleaner historical loss profile by 6.6 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 23 (Fair) for Convenient Food Mart and 26 (Fair) for Iga Food Stores, giving Iga Food Stores the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 23/100 | 26/100 |
Health Tier | Limited | Limited |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 32 | 49 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 18.8% | 12.2% |
Peer Tier | established | established |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $36K – $213K | $147K – $1.4M |
Franchise Fee | $41K | $25K |
Royalty Rate | N/A | N/A |
Ad Fund | N/A | 1% |
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 | 22 | 45 |
Franchised Units | 22 | 45 |
Company-Owned | – | – |
Term Length | N/A | N/A |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1958 | 1926 |
Franchising Since | N/A | N/A |
Years Franchising | N/A | N/A |
Headquarters | MENTOR, OH | CINCINNATI, OH |
Category | Supermarkets | Supermarkets |
Website | ||
FDD Year | N/A | N/A |
Which Is Better, Convenient Food Mart or Iga Food Stores?
Lower upfront capital required
Convenient Food Mart
Convenient Food Mart: $36K starting · Iga Food Stores: $147K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Iga Food Stores
Convenient Food Mart: 32 SBA loans · Iga Food Stores: 49 SBA loans
Lower historical default rate
Iga Food Stores
Convenient Food Mart: 18.8% · Iga Food Stores: 12.2%
Larger system & brand presence
Iga Food Stores
Convenient Food Mart: 22 units · Iga Food Stores: 45 units
More lender financing options
Iga Food Stores
Convenient Food Mart: 14 unique lenders · Iga Food Stores: 34 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
Convenient Food Mart vs Iga Food Stores: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Convenient Food Mart and Iga Food Stores is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $36K to $1.4M.
Both brands have active SBA lending histories, Convenient Food Mart with 32 SBA loans and Iga Food Stores with 49. 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.
Convenient Food Mart vs Iga Food Stores, Frequently Asked Questions
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