Convenient Food Mart vs Save-A-Lot Food Stores
Convenient Food Mart vs Save-A-Lot Food Stores: Convenient Food Mart costs $36K to $213K to open; Save-A-Lot Food Stores costs $180K to $1.0M. Convenient Food Mart has 22 units, Save-A-Lot Food Stores has 19. SBA loan history: Convenient Food Mart = 32 loans (18.8% default); Save-A-Lot Food Stores = 23 loans (13.0% 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.
Convenient Food Mart vs Save-A-Lot Food Stores: 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
Convenient Food Mart requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($36K vs $180K for Save-A-Lot Food Stores), a 80% spread.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Convenient Food Mart operates 22 units to Save-A-Lot Food Stores's 19.
SBA Lending Profile
Convenient Food Mart has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 32 7(a) approvals compared with 23 for Save-A-Lot Food Stores. Convenient Food Mart's peak SBA year was 1995 (6 loans); Save-A-Lot Food Stores's peak was 2021 (11 loans). Save-A-Lot Food Stores's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Convenient Food Mart has the most SBA funded units in OH, with 23. Save-A-Lot Food Stores leads in MI, with 5. Borrowers should pick the brand whose strongest SBA state matches their own state for warmer lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded Convenient Food Mart deals is $122K vs $904K for Save-A-Lot 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 13.0% for Save-A-Lot Food Stores, Save-A-Lot Food Stores has the cleaner SBA loss record by 5.8 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 23 (Fair) for Convenient Food Mart and 28 (Fair) for Save-A-Lot Food Stores, giving Save-A-Lot Food Stores the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 23/100 | 28/100 |
Health Tier | Limited | Limited |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 32 | 23 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 18.8% | 13.0% |
Peer Tier | established | growing |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $36K to $213K | $180K to $1.0M |
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 | 19 |
Franchised Units | 22 | 19 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | N/A | N/A |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1958 | N/A |
Franchising Since | N/A | N/A |
Years Franchising | N/A | N/A |
Headquarters | MENTOR, OH | Aurora, IL |
Category | Supermarkets | Supermarkets |
Website | ||
FDD Year | N/A | N/A |
Which Is Better, Convenient Food Mart or Save-A-Lot Food Stores?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Convenient Food Mart: $36K starting · Save-A-Lot Food Stores: $180K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Convenient Food Mart
Convenient Food Mart: 32 SBA loans · Save-A-Lot Food Stores: 23 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Save-A-Lot Food Stores
Convenient Food Mart: 18.8% · Save-A-Lot Food Stores: 13.0%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
Convenient Food Mart: 22 units · Save-A-Lot Food Stores: 19 units
More lender financing options
Save-A-Lot Food Stores
Convenient Food Mart: 14 unique lenders · Save-A-Lot Food Stores: 19 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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Convenient Food Mart vs Save-A-Lot Food Stores: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Convenient Food Mart and Save-A-Lot 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 $1.0M.
Convenient Food Mart has 32 SBA loans on record and Save-A-Lot Food Stores has 23. 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.
Convenient Food Mart vs Save-A-Lot Food Stores, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Convenient Food Mart or Save-A-Lot Food Stores?
How much does a Convenient Food Mart franchise cost compared to Save-A-Lot Food Stores?
Can I finance Convenient Food Mart or Save-A-Lot Food Stores with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Convenient Food Mart or Save-A-Lot Food Stores?
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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