European Wax Center vs Spavia Day Spa
European Wax Center vs Spavia Day Spa: European Wax Center costs $328K to $837K to open; Spavia Day Spa costs $496K to $698K. European Wax Center has 1,067 units, Spavia Day Spa has 39. SBA loan history: European Wax Center = 389 loans (1.8% default); Spavia Day Spa = 50 loans (4.0% 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.
European Wax Center vs Spavia Day Spa: 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
European Wax Center requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($328K vs $496K for Spavia Day Spa), a 34% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $45K for European Wax Center versus $60K for Spavia Day Spa, European Wax Center has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 6% for European Wax Center and 6% for Spavia Day Spa, equal royalty drag.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, European Wax Center operates 1,067 units to Spavia Day Spa's 39, roughly 27× the system size. European Wax Center has been operating 22 years (founded 2004) versus 21 for Spavia Day Spa (founded 2005), a 1-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 50 for Spavia Day Spa.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 1.8% for European Wax Center and 4.0% for Spavia Day Spa, European Wax Center has the cleaner SBA loss record by 2.2 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 60 (Moderate) for European Wax Center and 51 (Moderate) for Spavia Day Spa, giving European Wax Center the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 60/100 | 51/100 |
Health Tier | Moderate | Moderate |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 389 | 50 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 1.8% | 4.0% |
Peer Tier | major | established |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $328K to $837K | $496K to $698K |
Franchise Fee | $45K | $60K |
Royalty Rate | 6% | 6% |
Ad Fund | 3% | 1% |
Liquid Capital | $10K | N/A |
Net Worth Required | $800K | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Not Disclosed | Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 1,067 | 39 |
Franchised Units | 1,062 | 39 |
Company Owned | 5 | – |
Term Length | 10 yrs | 1 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 2004 | 2005 |
Franchising Since | 2006 | 2020 |
Years Franchising | 20 yrs | 6 yrs |
Headquarters | COPPELL, TX | Denver, CO |
Category | Other Personal Care Services | Other Personal Care Services |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2025 | 2025 |
Which Is Better, European Wax Center or Spavia Day Spa?
Lower upfront capital required
European Wax Center
European Wax Center: $328K starting · Spavia Day Spa: $496K starting
More SBA lender confidence
European Wax Center
European Wax Center: 389 SBA loans · Spavia Day Spa: 50 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
European Wax Center
European Wax Center: 1.8% · Spavia Day Spa: 4.0%
Larger system & brand presence
European Wax Center
European Wax Center: 1,067 units · Spavia Day Spa: 39 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Tie
European Wax Center: 6% · Spavia Day Spa: 6%
More lender financing options
European Wax Center
European Wax Center: 57 unique lenders · Spavia Day Spa: 20 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
European Wax Center vs Spavia Day Spa: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing European Wax Center and Spavia Day Spa is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $328K to $837K.
European Wax Center has 389 SBA loans on record and Spavia Day Spa has 50. 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 Spavia Day Spa, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, European Wax Center or Spavia Day Spa?
How much does a European Wax Center franchise cost compared to Spavia Day Spa?
Can I finance European Wax Center or Spavia Day Spa with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, European Wax Center or Spavia Day Spa?
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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