Deka Lash vs Sport Clips
Deka Lash vs Sport Clips: Deka Lash costs $286K–$449K to open; Sport Clips costs $289K–$475K. Deka Lash has 62 units, Sport Clips has 349. SBA loan history: Deka Lash = 81 loans (7.4% default); Sport Clips = 320 loans (7.5% default). The franchise with more SBA-funded units, lower default rate, and lower royalty load is the safer financing bet, see the comparison below.
Deka Lash vs Sport Clips: 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
Deka Lash requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($286K vs $289K for Sport Clips), a 1% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $50K for Deka Lash versus $70K for Sport Clips, Deka Lash has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 6% for Deka Lash and 6% for Sport Clips, equal royalty drag.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Sport Clips operates 349 units to Deka Lash's 62, roughly 6× the system size. Sport Clips has been operating 33 years (founded 1993) versus 10 for Deka Lash (founded 2016), a 23-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Sport Clips has the deeper SBA lending track record with 320 historical 7(a) approvals versus 81 for Deka Lash. Deka Lash's peak SBA year was 2019 (23 loans); Sport Clips's peak was 2015 (87 loans). Deka Lash's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Geographically, Deka Lash concentrates in TX (21 SBA-funded units) while Sport Clips leads in IL (28). Pick the brand whose strongest state matches yours for warmest lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded Deka Lash deals is $228K vs $232K for Sport Clips, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 7.4% for Deka Lash and 7.5% for Sport Clips, Deka Lash has the cleaner historical loss profile by 0.1 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 52 (Moderate) for Deka Lash and 47 (Fair) for Sport Clips, giving Deka Lash the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 52/100 | 47/100 |
Health Tier | Moderate | Fair |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 81 | 320 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 7.4% | 7.5% |
Peer Tier | established | major |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $286K – $449K | $289K – $475K |
Franchise Fee | $50K | $70K |
Royalty Rate | 6% | 6% |
Ad Fund | 3% | 5% |
Liquid Capital | N/A | $200K |
Net Worth Required | N/A | $400K |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 62 | 349 |
Franchised Units | 62 | 349 |
Company-Owned | – | – |
Term Length | 10 yrs | 5 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 2016 | 1993 |
Franchising Since | N/A | 1960 |
Years Franchising | N/A | 66 yrs |
Headquarters | Canonsburg, TX | Georgetown, TX |
Category | Beauty Salons | Beauty Salons |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2025 | 2026 |
Which Is Better, Deka Lash or Sport Clips?
Lower upfront capital required
Deka Lash
Deka Lash: $286K starting · Sport Clips: $289K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Sport Clips
Deka Lash: 81 SBA loans · Sport Clips: 320 SBA loans
Lower historical default rate
Deka Lash
Deka Lash: 7.4% · Sport Clips: 7.5%
Larger system & brand presence
Sport Clips
Deka Lash: 62 units · Sport Clips: 349 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Tie
Deka Lash: 6% · Sport Clips: 6%
More lender financing options
Sport Clips
Deka Lash: 25 unique lenders · Sport Clips: 39 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 Sport Clips: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Deka Lash and Sport Clips is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $286K to $475K.
Both brands have active SBA lending histories, Deka Lash with 81 SBA loans and Sport Clips with 320. 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.
Deka Lash vs Sport Clips, Frequently Asked Questions
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