Convenient Food Mart vs Save - A - Lot
Convenient Food Mart vs Save - A - Lot: Convenient Food Mart costs $36K–$213K to open; Save - A - Lot costs $140K–$775K. Convenient Food Mart has 22 units, Save - A - Lot has 37. SBA loan history: Convenient Food Mart = 32 loans (18.8% default); Save - A - Lot = 41 loans (7.3% 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 Save - A - Lot — 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 $140K for Save - A - Lot), a 75% spread.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Save - A - Lot operates 37 units to Convenient Food Mart's 22. Convenient Food Mart has been operating 68 years (founded 1958) versus 49 for Save - A - Lot (founded 1977) — a 19-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Save - A - Lot has the deeper SBA lending track record with 41 historical 7(a) approvals versus 32 for Convenient Food Mart. Convenient Food Mart's peak SBA year was 1995 (6 loans); Save - A - Lot's peak was 2012 (5 loans). Save - A - Lot's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Geographically, Convenient Food Mart concentrates in OH (23 SBA-funded units) while Save - A - Lot leads in MI (9) — pick the brand whose strongest state matches yours for warmest lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded Convenient Food Mart deals is $122K vs $439K for Save - A - Lot — useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 18.8% for Convenient Food Mart and 7.3% for Save - A - Lot — Save - A - Lot has the cleaner historical loss profile by 11.5 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 23 (Fair) for Convenient Food Mart and 40 (Fair) for Save - A - Lot, giving Save - A - Lot the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 23/100 | 40/100 |
Health Tier | Limited | Fair |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 32 | 41 |
SBA Volume | — | — |
Default Rate | 18.8% | 7.3% |
Peer Tier | established | established |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $36K – $213K | $140K – $775K |
Franchise Fee | $41K | N/A |
Royalty Rate | N/A | N/A |
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 | 22 | 37 |
Franchised Units | 22 | 37 |
Company-Owned | — | — |
Term Length | N/A | N/A |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1958 | 1977 |
Franchising Since | N/A | N/A |
Years Franchising | N/A | N/A |
Headquarters | MENTOR, OH | Benzonia, MI |
Category | Supermarkets | Supermarkets |
Website | ||
FDD Year | N/A | N/A |
Which Is Better — Convenient Food Mart or Save - A - Lot?
Lower upfront capital required
Convenient Food Mart
Convenient Food Mart: $36K starting · Save - A - Lot: $140K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Save - A - Lot
Convenient Food Mart: 32 SBA loans · Save - A - Lot: 41 SBA loans
Lower historical default rate
Save - A - Lot
Convenient Food Mart: 18.8% · Save - A - Lot: 7.3%
Larger system & brand presence
Save - A - Lot
Convenient Food Mart: 22 units · Save - A - Lot: 37 units
More lender financing options
Save - A - Lot
Convenient Food Mart: 14 unique lenders · Save - A - Lot: 28 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 Save - A - Lot: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Convenient Food Mart and Save - A - Lot is about more than brand preference — it's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $36K to $775K.
Both brands have active SBA lending histories — Convenient Food Mart with 32 SBA loans and Save - A - Lot with 41. 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.