Sterling Optical vs Sterling Opticalsite For Sore
Sterling Optical vs Sterling Opticalsite For Sore: Sterling Optical costs $33K to $2.1M to open; Sterling Opticalsite For Sore costs $170K to $962K. Sterling Optical has 11 units, Sterling Opticalsite For Sore has 7. SBA loan history: Sterling Optical = 11 loans (27.3% default); Sterling Opticalsite For Sore = 9 loans (0.0% 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.
Sterling Optical vs Sterling Opticalsite For Sore: 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
Sterling Optical requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($33K vs $170K for Sterling Opticalsite For Sore), a 81% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $10K for Sterling Optical versus $10K for Sterling Opticalsite For Sore.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Sterling Optical operates 11 units to Sterling Opticalsite For Sore's 7. Sterling Optical has been operating 112 years (founded 1914) versus 17 for Sterling Opticalsite For Sore (founded 2009), a 95-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Sterling Optical has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 11 7(a) approvals compared with 9 for Sterling Opticalsite For Sore.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 27.3% for Sterling Optical and 0.0% for Sterling Opticalsite For Sore, Sterling Opticalsite For Sore has the cleaner SBA loss record by 27.3 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 24 (Fair) for Sterling Optical and 52 (Moderate) for Sterling Opticalsite For Sore, giving Sterling Opticalsite For Sore the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 24/100 | 52/100 |
Health Tier | Limited | Moderate |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 11 | 9 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 27.3% | 0.0% |
Peer Tier | growing | emerging |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $33K to $2.1M | $170K to $962K |
Franchise Fee | $10K | $10K |
Royalty Rate | 8% | N/A |
Ad Fund | 6% | N/A |
Liquid Capital | N/A | N/A |
Net Worth Required | N/A | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 11 | 7 |
Franchised Units | 11 | 7 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | N/A | N/A |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1914 | 2009 |
Franchising Since | N/A | N/A |
Years Franchising | N/A | N/A |
Headquarters | Garden City, NY | POTTSTOWN, PA |
Category | Offices of Optometrists | Offices of Optometrists |
Website | ||
FDD Year | N/A | 2023 |
Which Is Better, Sterling Optical or Sterling Opticalsite For Sore?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Sterling Optical: $33K starting · Sterling Opticalsite For Sore: $170K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Sterling Optical
Sterling Optical: 11 SBA loans · Sterling Opticalsite For Sore: 9 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Sterling Opticalsite For Sore
Sterling Optical: 27.3% · Sterling Opticalsite For Sore: 0.0%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
Sterling Optical: 11 units · Sterling Opticalsite For Sore: 7 units
More lender financing options
Sterling Optical
Sterling Optical: 7 unique lenders · Sterling Opticalsite For Sore: 3 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
Sterling Optical vs Sterling Opticalsite For Sore: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Sterling Optical and Sterling Opticalsite For Sore is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $33K to $2.1M.
Sterling Optical has 11 SBA loans on record and Sterling Opticalsite For Sore has 9. 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.
Sterling Optical vs Sterling Opticalsite For Sore, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Sterling Optical or Sterling Opticalsite For Sore?
How much does a Sterling Optical franchise cost compared to Sterling Opticalsite For Sore?
Can I finance Sterling Optical or Sterling Opticalsite For Sore with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Sterling Optical or Sterling Opticalsite For Sore?
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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