Deka Lash vs Sport Clips
Deka Lash vs Sport Clips: Deka Lash costs $286K to $449K to open; Sport Clips costs $289K to $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, a lower SBA default rate, and a lower royalty load is the safer financing bet; see the comparison below.
Deka Lash vs Sport Clips: 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
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 7(a) approvals compared with 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. Deka Lash has the most SBA funded units in TX, with 21. Sport Clips leads in IL, with 28. Borrowers should pick the brand whose strongest SBA state matches their own state for warmer 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 SBA loss record 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 to $449K | $289K to $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 | Disclosed | 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 | 2016 | 1960 |
Years Franchising | 10 yrs | 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 SBA 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.
Deka Lash has 81 SBA loans on record and Sport Clips has 320. 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 Sport Clips, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Deka Lash or Sport Clips?
How much does a Deka Lash franchise cost compared to Sport Clips?
Can I finance Deka Lash or Sport Clips with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Deka Lash or Sport Clips?
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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