Dunkin' Donuts vs Rita's Italian Ice
Dunkin' Donuts vs Rita's Italian Ice: Dunkin' Donuts costs $438K to $1.8M to open; Rita's Italian Ice costs $22K to $906K. Dunkin' Donuts has 310 units, Rita's Italian Ice has 174. SBA loan history: Dunkin' Donuts = 359 loans (1.7% default); Rita's Italian Ice = 247 loans (11.3% 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.
Dunkin' Donuts vs Rita's Italian Ice: 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
Rita's Italian Ice requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($22K vs $438K for Dunkin' Donuts), a 1889% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $40K for Dunkin' Donuts versus $35K for Rita's Italian Ice, Rita's Italian Ice has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 5.9% for Dunkin' Donuts and 6.5% for Rita's Italian Ice, giving Dunkin' Donuts the lighter per-unit drag on operating income.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Dunkin' Donuts operates 310 units to Rita's Italian Ice's 174. Dunkin' Donuts has been operating 76 years (founded 1950) versus 42 for Rita's Italian Ice (founded 1984), a 34-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Dunkin' Donuts has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 359 7(a) approvals compared with 247 for Rita's Italian Ice. Dunkin' Donuts's peak SBA year was 2021 (43 loans); Rita's Italian Ice's peak was 2007 (28 loans). Dunkin' Donuts's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Dunkin' Donuts has the most SBA funded units in NJ, with 51. Rita's Italian Ice leads in PA, with 105. Borrowers should pick the brand whose strongest SBA state matches their own state for warmer lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded Dunkin' Donuts deals is $831K vs $177K for Rita's Italian Ice, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 1.7% for Dunkin' Donuts and 11.3% for Rita's Italian Ice, Dunkin' Donuts has the cleaner SBA loss record by 9.6 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 61 (Moderate) for Dunkin' Donuts and 33 (Fair) for Rita's Italian Ice, giving Dunkin' Donuts the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 61/100 | 33/100 |
Health Tier | Moderate | Limited |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 359 | 247 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 1.7% | 11.3% |
Peer Tier | major | major |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $438K to $1.8M | $22K to $906K |
Franchise Fee | $40K | $35K |
Royalty Rate | 5.9% | 6.5% |
Ad Fund | 5% | 3% |
Liquid Capital | $250K | N/A |
Net Worth Required | $500K | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Disclosed | Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 310 | 174 |
Franchised Units | 310 | 174 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | 20 yrs | 10 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1950 | 1984 |
Franchising Since | 1955 | 1989 |
Years Franchising | 71 yrs | 37 yrs |
Headquarters | Canton, MA | PHILADELPHIA, PA |
Category | Snack | Snack |
Website | ||
FDD Year | N/A | N/A |
Which Is Better, Dunkin' Donuts or Rita's Italian Ice?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Dunkin' Donuts: $438K starting · Rita's Italian Ice: $22K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Dunkin' Donuts
Dunkin' Donuts: 359 SBA loans · Rita's Italian Ice: 247 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Dunkin' Donuts
Dunkin' Donuts: 1.7% · Rita's Italian Ice: 11.3%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
Dunkin' Donuts: 310 units · Rita's Italian Ice: 174 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Dunkin' Donuts
Dunkin' Donuts: 5.9% · Rita's Italian Ice: 6.5%
More lender financing options
Dunkin' Donuts
Dunkin' Donuts: 135 unique lenders · Rita's Italian Ice: 62 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.
Need Funding for Dunkin' Donuts or Rita's Italian Ice?
PeerSense connects you with 500+ SBA lenders and capital sources. Our referral fee is established upfront and paid at closing.
SBA Lenders & Capital Sources
Retainers or Consulting Fees
10% Down Franchise Loans
About These Franchises
Dunkin' Donuts vs Rita's Italian Ice: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Dunkin' Donuts and Rita's Italian Ice is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $22K to $1.8M.
Dunkin' Donuts has 359 SBA loans on record and Rita's Italian Ice has 247. 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.
Dunkin' Donuts vs Rita's Italian Ice, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Dunkin' Donuts or Rita's Italian Ice?
How much does a Dunkin' Donuts franchise cost compared to Rita's Italian Ice?
Can I finance Dunkin' Donuts or Rita's Italian Ice with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Dunkin' Donuts or Rita's Italian Ice?
Talk to PeerSense
Tell us which brand and your budget. We source capital from lenders who have already funded deals in these systems.
Franchise / SBA 7(a): The desk will reach out. No obligation.
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