Degree Wellness vs Modern Acupuncture
Degree Wellness vs Modern Acupuncture: Degree Wellness costs $428K to $788K to open; Modern Acupuncture costs $111K to $403K. Degree Wellness has 14 units, Modern Acupuncture has 21. SBA loan history: Degree Wellness = 17 loans (0.0% default); Modern Acupuncture = 25 loans (12.0% 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.
Degree Wellness vs Modern Acupuncture: 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
Modern Acupuncture requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($111K vs $428K for Degree Wellness), a 285% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $50K for Degree Wellness versus $40K for Modern Acupuncture, Modern Acupuncture has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 7% for Degree Wellness and 7% for Modern Acupuncture, equal royalty drag.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Modern Acupuncture operates 21 units to Degree Wellness's 14. Modern Acupuncture has been operating 10 years (founded 2016) versus 8 for Degree Wellness (founded 2018), a 2-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Modern Acupuncture has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 25 7(a) approvals compared with 17 for Degree Wellness. Degree Wellness's peak SBA year was 2025 (10 loans); Modern Acupuncture's peak was 2018 (14 loans). Degree Wellness's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Degree Wellness has the most SBA funded units in TX, with 5. Modern Acupuncture leads in CA, with 8. Borrowers should pick the brand whose strongest SBA state matches their own state for warmer lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded Degree Wellness deals is $580K vs $296K for Modern Acupuncture, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 0.0% for Degree Wellness and 12.0% for Modern Acupuncture, Degree Wellness has the cleaner SBA loss record by 12.0 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 68 (Strong) for Degree Wellness and 40 (Fair) for Modern Acupuncture, giving Degree Wellness the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 68/100 | 40/100 |
Health Tier | Strong | Fair |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | N/A | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 17 | 25 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 0.0% | 12.0% |
Peer Tier | growing | established |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $428K to $788K | $111K to $403K |
Franchise Fee | $50K | $40K |
Royalty Rate | 7% | 7% |
Ad Fund | 1% | 2% |
Liquid Capital | N/A | N/A |
Net Worth Required | N/A | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 14 | 21 |
Franchised Units | 14 | 21 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | 10 yrs | 10 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 2018 | 2016 |
Franchising Since | 2024 | N/A |
Years Franchising | 2 yrs | N/A |
Headquarters | FLOWER MOUND, TX | SAN DIEGO, CA |
Category | Offices of All Other Miscellaneous Health Practitioners | Offices of All Other Miscellaneous Health Practitioners |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2025 | N/A |
Which Is Better, Degree Wellness or Modern Acupuncture?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Degree Wellness: $428K starting · Modern Acupuncture: $111K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Modern Acupuncture
Degree Wellness: 17 SBA loans · Modern Acupuncture: 25 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Degree Wellness
Degree Wellness: 0.0% · Modern Acupuncture: 12.0%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
Degree Wellness: 14 units · Modern Acupuncture: 21 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Tie
Degree Wellness: 7% · Modern Acupuncture: 7%
More lender financing options
Degree Wellness
Degree Wellness: 9 unique lenders · Modern Acupuncture: 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
Degree Wellness vs Modern Acupuncture: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Degree Wellness and Modern Acupuncture is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $111K to $788K.
Degree Wellness has 17 SBA loans on record and Modern Acupuncture 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.
Degree Wellness vs Modern Acupuncture, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Degree Wellness or Modern Acupuncture?
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Which has a lower SBA default rate, Degree Wellness or Modern Acupuncture?
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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