Cousins Maine Lobster vs Donutnv
Cousins Maine Lobster vs Donutnv: Cousins Maine Lobster costs $38K to $45K to open; Donutnv costs $185K to $337K. Cousins Maine Lobster has 8 units, Donutnv has 144. SBA loan history: Cousins Maine Lobster = 8 loans (12.5% default); Donutnv = 39 loans (2.6% 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.
Cousins Maine Lobster vs Donutnv: 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
Cousins Maine Lobster requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($38K vs $185K for Donutnv), a 80% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $45K for Cousins Maine Lobster versus $60K for Donutnv, Cousins Maine Lobster has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 20% for Cousins Maine Lobster and 7.5% for Donutnv, giving Donutnv the lighter per-unit drag on operating income.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Donutnv operates 144 units to Cousins Maine Lobster's 8, roughly 18× the system size.
SBA Lending Profile
Donutnv has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 39 7(a) approvals compared with 8 for Cousins Maine Lobster.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 12.5% for Cousins Maine Lobster and 2.6% for Donutnv, Donutnv has the cleaner SBA loss record by 9.9 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 54 (Moderate) for Cousins Maine Lobster and 68 (Strong) for Donutnv, giving Donutnv the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 54/100 | 68/100 |
Health Tier | Moderate | Strong |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | N/A | N/A |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 8 | 39 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 12.5% | 2.6% |
Peer Tier | emerging | established |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $38K to $45K | $185K to $337K |
Franchise Fee | $45K | $60K |
Royalty Rate | 20% | 7.5% |
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 | Disclosed | Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 8 | 144 |
Franchised Units | 8 | 142 |
Company Owned | – | 2 |
Term Length | 5 yrs | 10 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | N/A | N/A |
Franchising Since | 2008 | 2018 |
Years Franchising | 18 yrs | 8 yrs |
Headquarters | N/A | TX |
Category | Mobile Food Services | Mobile Food Services |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2025 | 2025 |
Which Is Better, Cousins Maine Lobster or Donutnv?
Lower upfront capital required
Cousins Maine Lobster
Cousins Maine Lobster: $38K starting · Donutnv: $185K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Donutnv
Cousins Maine Lobster: 8 SBA loans · Donutnv: 39 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Donutnv
Cousins Maine Lobster: 12.5% · Donutnv: 2.6%
Larger system & brand presence
Donutnv
Cousins Maine Lobster: 8 units · Donutnv: 144 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Donutnv
Cousins Maine Lobster: 20% · Donutnv: 7.5%
More lender financing options
Tie
Cousins Maine Lobster: 7 unique lenders · Donutnv: 7 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
Cousins Maine Lobster vs Donutnv: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Cousins Maine Lobster and Donutnv is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $38K to $337K.
Cousins Maine Lobster has 8 SBA loans on record and Donutnv has 39. Those totals are cumulative history rather than a measure of current appetite. There is not enough recent lending activity on record to judge current appetite for at least one of these brands, so it has to be checked deal by deal.
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.
Cousins Maine Lobster vs Donutnv, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Cousins Maine Lobster or Donutnv?
How much does a Cousins Maine Lobster franchise cost compared to Donutnv?
Can I finance Cousins Maine Lobster or Donutnv with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Cousins Maine Lobster or Donutnv?
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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