Decorating Den vs Set The Stage
Decorating Den vs Set The Stage: Decorating Den costs $44K to $80K to open; Set The Stage costs $150K to $300K. Decorating Den has 28 units, Set The Stage has 23. SBA loan history: Decorating Den = 28 loans (7.1% default); Set The Stage = 25 loans (0.0% 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.
Decorating Den vs Set The Stage: 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
Decorating Den requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($44K vs $150K for Set The Stage), a 71% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $40K for Decorating Den versus $35K for Set The Stage, Set The Stage has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 9% for Decorating Den and 5.5% for Set The Stage, giving Set The Stage the lighter per-unit drag on operating income.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Decorating Den operates 28 units to Set The Stage's 23.
SBA Lending Profile
Decorating Den has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 28 7(a) approvals compared with 25 for Set The Stage.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 7.1% for Decorating Den and 0.0% for Set The Stage, Set The Stage has the cleaner SBA loss record by 7.1 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 46 (Fair) for Decorating Den and 70 (Strong) for Set The Stage, giving Set The Stage the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 46/100 | 70/100 |
Health Tier | Fair | Strong |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | N/A |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 28 | 25 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 7.1% | 0.0% |
Peer Tier | established | established |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $44K to $80K | $150K to $300K |
Franchise Fee | $40K | $35K |
Royalty Rate | 9% | 5.5% |
Ad Fund | 4% | 2% |
Liquid Capital | N/A | N/A |
Net Worth Required | N/A | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Not Disclosed | Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 28 | 23 |
Franchised Units | 28 | 23 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | 5 yrs | 10 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1969 | N/A |
Franchising Since | N/A | 2016 |
Years Franchising | N/A | 10 yrs |
Headquarters | Easton, MD | Atlanta, GA |
Category | Interior Design Services | Interior Design Services |
Website | ||
FDD Year | N/A | 2026 |
Which Is Better, Decorating Den or Set The Stage?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Decorating Den: $44K starting · Set The Stage: $150K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Decorating Den
Decorating Den: 28 SBA loans · Set The Stage: 25 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Set The Stage
Decorating Den: 7.1% · Set The Stage: 0.0%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
Decorating Den: 28 units · Set The Stage: 23 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Set The Stage
Decorating Den: 9% · Set The Stage: 5.5%
More lender financing options
Decorating Den
Decorating Den: 19 unique lenders · Set The Stage: 8 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
Decorating Den vs Set The Stage: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Decorating Den and Set The Stage is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $44K to $300K.
Decorating Den has 28 SBA loans on record and Set The Stage has 25. 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.
Decorating Den vs Set The Stage, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Decorating Den or Set The Stage?
How much does a Decorating Den franchise cost compared to Set The Stage?
Can I finance Decorating Den or Set The Stage with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Decorating Den or Set The Stage?
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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