European Wax Center vs Hand and Stone
European Wax Center vs Hand and Stone: European Wax Center costs $328K to $837K to open; Hand and Stone costs $188K to $2.0M. European Wax Center has 1,067 units, Hand and Stone has 85. SBA loan history: European Wax Center = 389 loans (1.8% default); Hand and Stone = 95 loans (2.1% 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.
European Wax Center vs Hand and Stone: 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
Hand and Stone requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($188K vs $328K for European Wax Center), a 74% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $45K for European Wax Center versus $10K for Hand and Stone, Hand and Stone has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 6% for European Wax Center and 8.5% for Hand and Stone, giving European Wax Center the lighter per-unit drag on operating income.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, European Wax Center operates 1,067 units to Hand and Stone's 85, roughly 13× the system size. Hand and Stone has been operating 22 years (founded 2004) versus 22 for European Wax Center (founded 2004), a 0-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
European Wax Center has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 389 7(a) approvals compared with 95 for Hand and Stone.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 1.8% for European Wax Center and 2.1% for Hand and Stone, European Wax Center has the cleaner SBA loss record by 0.3 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 60 (Moderate) for European Wax Center and 55 (Moderate) for Hand and Stone, giving European Wax Center the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 60/100 | 55/100 |
Health Tier | Moderate | Moderate |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 389 | 95 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 1.8% | 2.1% |
Peer Tier | major | established |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $328K to $837K | $188K to $2.0M |
Franchise Fee | $45K | $10K |
Royalty Rate | 6% | 8.5% |
Ad Fund | 3% | 2.5% |
Liquid Capital | $10K | N/A |
Net Worth Required | $800K | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 1,067 | 85 |
Franchised Units | 1,062 | 85 |
Company Owned | 5 | – |
Term Length | 10 yrs | 10 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 2004 | 2004 |
Franchising Since | 2006 | N/A |
Years Franchising | 20 yrs | N/A |
Headquarters | COPPELL, TX | Trevose, PA |
Category | Other Personal Care Services | Other Personal Care Services |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2025 | 2025 |
Which Is Better, European Wax Center or Hand and Stone?
Lower upfront capital required
Hand and Stone
European Wax Center: $328K starting · Hand and Stone: $188K starting
More SBA lender confidence
European Wax Center
European Wax Center: 389 SBA loans · Hand and Stone: 95 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
European Wax Center
European Wax Center: 1.8% · Hand and Stone: 2.1%
Larger system & brand presence
European Wax Center
European Wax Center: 1,067 units · Hand and Stone: 85 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
European Wax Center
European Wax Center: 6% · Hand and Stone: 8.5%
More lender financing options
European Wax Center
European Wax Center: 57 unique lenders · Hand and Stone: 33 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 European Wax Center or Hand and Stone?
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
European Wax Center vs Hand and Stone: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing European Wax Center and Hand and Stone is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $188K to $2.0M.
European Wax Center has 389 SBA loans on record and Hand and Stone has 95. 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.
European Wax Center vs Hand and Stone, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, European Wax Center or Hand and Stone?
How much does a European Wax Center franchise cost compared to Hand and Stone?
Can I finance European Wax Center or Hand and Stone with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, European Wax Center or Hand and Stone?
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