Dbat vs Premier Martial Arts
Dbat vs Premier Martial Arts: Dbat costs $536K–$1.0M to open; Premier Martial Arts costs $184K–$422K. Dbat has 109 units, Premier Martial Arts has 71. SBA loan history: Dbat = 131 loans (3.1% default); Premier Martial Arts = 103 loans (5.8% default). The franchise with more SBA-funded units, lower default rate, and lower royalty load is the safer financing bet, see the comparison below.
Dbat vs Premier Martial Arts: 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
Premier Martial Arts requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($184K vs $536K for Dbat), a 192% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $45K for Dbat versus $90K for Premier Martial Arts, Dbat has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 8% for Dbat and 7% for Premier Martial Arts, giving Premier Martial Arts the lighter per-unit drag on operating income.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Dbat operates 109 units to Premier Martial Arts's 71. Dbat has been operating 28 years (founded 1998) versus 22 for Premier Martial Arts (founded 2004), a 6-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Dbat has the deeper SBA lending track record with 131 historical 7(a) approvals versus 103 for Premier Martial Arts. Dbat's peak SBA year was 2025 (18 loans); Premier Martial Arts's peak was 2022 (43 loans). Dbat's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Both systems concentrate the most SBA-funded units in TX. Borrowers in that state will find the deepest lender familiarity with either brand. Average SBA loan size on funded Dbat deals is $780K vs $192K for Premier Martial Arts, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 3.1% for Dbat and 5.8% for Premier Martial Arts, Dbat has the cleaner historical loss profile by 2.7 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 78 (Strong) for Dbat and 52 (Moderate) for Premier Martial Arts, giving Dbat the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 78/100 | 52/100 |
Health Tier | Strong | Moderate |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Stable | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 131 | 103 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 3.1% | 5.8% |
Peer Tier | major | major |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $536K – $1.0M | $184K – $422K |
Franchise Fee | $45K | $90K |
Royalty Rate | 8% | 7% |
Ad Fund | 2.5% | 6% |
Liquid Capital | N/A | $100K |
Net Worth Required | N/A | $330K |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 109 | 71 |
Franchised Units | 109 | 71 |
Company-Owned | – | – |
Term Length | 10 yrs | 10 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1998 | 2004 |
Franchising Since | N/A | 1960 |
Years Franchising | N/A | 66 yrs |
Headquarters | Carrollton, TX | Bedford, TX |
Category | Sports | Sports |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2025 | N/A |
Which Is Better, Dbat or Premier Martial Arts?
Lower upfront capital required
Premier Martial Arts
Dbat: $536K starting · Premier Martial Arts: $184K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Dbat
Dbat: 131 SBA loans · Premier Martial Arts: 103 SBA loans
Lower historical default rate
Dbat
Dbat: 3.1% · Premier Martial Arts: 5.8%
Larger system & brand presence
Dbat
Dbat: 109 units · Premier Martial Arts: 71 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Premier Martial Arts
Dbat: 8% · Premier Martial Arts: 7%
More lender financing options
Dbat
Dbat: 42 unique lenders · Premier Martial Arts: 21 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.
Need Funding for Dbat or Premier Martial Arts?
PeerSense connects you with 500+ SBA lenders and capital sources. Our referral fee is established upfront and paid at closing.
SBA Lenders & Capital Sources
Retainers or Consulting Fees
10% Down Franchise Loans
About These Franchises
Dbat vs Premier Martial Arts: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Dbat and Premier Martial Arts is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $184K to $1.0M.
Both brands have active SBA lending histories, Dbat with 131 SBA loans and Premier Martial Arts with 103. 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.
Dbat vs Premier Martial Arts, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Dbat or Premier Martial Arts?
How much does a Dbat franchise cost compared to Premier Martial Arts?
Can I finance Dbat or Premier Martial Arts with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Dbat or Premier Martial Arts?
Financing a franchise? Get matched to an SBA lender.
Tell us which brand and your budget. We route you to lenders who have already funded deals in these systems.
Franchise / SBA 7(a): Response within 24–48 hours. No obligation.