Deka Lash vs Fantastic Sams
Deka Lash vs Fantastic Sams: Deka Lash costs $286K to $449K to open; Fantastic Sams costs $172K to $462K. Deka Lash has 62 units, Fantastic Sams has 512. SBA loan history: Deka Lash = 81 loans (7.4% default); Fantastic Sams = 536 loans (18.1% 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.
Deka Lash vs Fantastic Sams: 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
Fantastic Sams requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($172K vs $286K for Deka Lash), a 67% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $50K for Deka Lash versus $40K for Fantastic Sams, Fantastic Sams has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 6% for Deka Lash and 6% for Fantastic Sams, equal royalty drag.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Fantastic Sams operates 512 units to Deka Lash's 62, roughly 8× the system size. Fantastic Sams has been operating 66 years (founded 1960) versus 10 for Deka Lash (founded 2016), a 56-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Fantastic Sams has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 536 7(a) approvals compared with 81 for Deka Lash. Deka Lash's peak SBA year was 2019 (23 loans); Fantastic Sams's peak was 2017 (32 loans). Deka Lash's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Both systems have 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 Deka Lash deals is $228K vs $218K for Fantastic Sams, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 7.4% for Deka Lash and 18.1% for Fantastic Sams, Deka Lash has the cleaner SBA loss record by 10.7 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 52 (Moderate) for Deka Lash and 43 (Fair) for Fantastic Sams, giving Deka Lash the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 52/100 | 43/100 |
Health Tier | Moderate | Fair |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 81 | 536 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 7.4% | 18.1% |
Peer Tier | established | major |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $286K to $449K | $172K to $462K |
Franchise Fee | $50K | $40K |
Royalty Rate | 6% | 6% |
Ad Fund | 3% | 3% |
Liquid Capital | N/A | $30K |
Net Worth Required | N/A | $300K |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Disclosed | Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 62 | 512 |
Franchised Units | 62 | 512 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | 10 yrs | 10 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 2016 | 1960 |
Franchising Since | 2016 | 1976 |
Years Franchising | 10 yrs | 50 yrs |
Headquarters | Canonsburg, TX | MINNEAPOLIS, MN |
Category | Beauty Salons | Beauty Salons |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2025 | 2025 |
Which Is Better, Deka Lash or Fantastic Sams?
Lower upfront capital required
Fantastic Sams
Deka Lash: $286K starting · Fantastic Sams: $172K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Fantastic Sams
Deka Lash: 81 SBA loans · Fantastic Sams: 536 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Deka Lash
Deka Lash: 7.4% · Fantastic Sams: 18.1%
Larger system & brand presence
Fantastic Sams
Deka Lash: 62 units · Fantastic Sams: 512 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Tie
Deka Lash: 6% · Fantastic Sams: 6%
More lender financing options
Fantastic Sams
Deka Lash: 25 unique lenders · Fantastic Sams: 138 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
Deka Lash vs Fantastic Sams: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Deka Lash and Fantastic Sams is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $172K to $462K.
Deka Lash has 81 SBA loans on record and Fantastic Sams has 536. 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.
Deka Lash vs Fantastic Sams, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Deka Lash or Fantastic Sams?
How much does a Deka Lash franchise cost compared to Fantastic Sams?
Can I finance Deka Lash or Fantastic Sams with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Deka Lash or Fantastic Sams?
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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; it does not lend, fund, or approve loans, and 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