Dbat vs Powerhouse Gyms
Dbat vs Powerhouse Gyms: Dbat costs $536K to $1.0M to open; Powerhouse Gyms costs $48K to $788K. Dbat has 109 units, Powerhouse Gyms has 34. SBA loan history: Dbat = 131 loans (3.1% default); Powerhouse Gyms = 33 loans (15.2% 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.
Dbat vs Powerhouse Gyms: 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
Powerhouse Gyms requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($48K vs $536K for Dbat), a 1018% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $45K for Dbat versus $26K for Powerhouse Gyms, Powerhouse Gyms has the lower entry fee.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Dbat operates 109 units to Powerhouse Gyms's 34, roughly 3× the system size.
SBA Lending Profile
Dbat has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 131 7(a) approvals compared with 33 for Powerhouse Gyms. Dbat's peak SBA year was 2025 (18 loans); Powerhouse Gyms's peak was 1995 (7 loans). Dbat's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Dbat has the most SBA funded units in TX, with 33. Powerhouse Gyms leads in MI, with 16. Borrowers should pick the brand whose strongest SBA state matches their own state for warmer lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded Dbat deals is $780K vs $341K for Powerhouse Gyms, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 3.1% for Dbat and 15.2% for Powerhouse Gyms, Dbat has the cleaner SBA loss record by 12.1 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 78 (Strong) for Dbat and 27 (Fair) for Powerhouse Gyms, giving Dbat the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 78/100 | 27/100 |
Health Tier | Strong | Limited |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Stable | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 131 | 33 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 3.1% | 15.2% |
Peer Tier | major | established |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $536K to $1.0M | $48K to $788K |
Franchise Fee | $45K | $26K |
Royalty Rate | 8% | N/A |
Ad Fund | 2.5% | 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 | 109 | 34 |
Franchised Units | 109 | 34 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | 10 yrs | N/A |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1998 | N/A |
Franchising Since | N/A | N/A |
Years Franchising | N/A | N/A |
Headquarters | Carrollton, TX | St Clair Shores, MI |
Category | Sports | Sports |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2025 | N/A |
Which Is Better, Dbat or Powerhouse Gyms?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Dbat: $536K starting · Powerhouse Gyms: $48K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Dbat
Dbat: 131 SBA loans · Powerhouse Gyms: 33 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Dbat
Dbat: 3.1% · Powerhouse Gyms: 15.2%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
Dbat: 109 units · Powerhouse Gyms: 34 units
More lender financing options
Dbat
Dbat: 42 unique lenders · Powerhouse Gyms: 23 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
Dbat vs Powerhouse Gyms: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Dbat and Powerhouse Gyms is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $48K to $1.0M.
Dbat has 131 SBA loans on record and Powerhouse Gyms has 33. 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.
Dbat vs Powerhouse Gyms, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Dbat or Powerhouse Gyms?
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Which has a lower SBA default rate, Dbat or Powerhouse Gyms?
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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