European Wax Center vs The Now Massage
European Wax Center vs The Now Massage: European Wax Center costs $328K to $837K to open; The Now Massage costs $350K to $765K. European Wax Center has 1,067 units, The Now Massage has 46. SBA loan history: European Wax Center = 389 loans (1.8% default); The Now Massage = 50 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.
European Wax Center vs The Now Massage: 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 $350K for The Now Massage), a 6% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $45K for European Wax Center versus $60K for The Now Massage, European Wax Center has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 6% for European Wax Center and 7% for The Now Massage, 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 The Now Massage's 46, roughly 23× the system size. European Wax Center has been operating 22 years (founded 2004) versus 11 for The Now Massage (founded 2015), a 11-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 The Now Massage. European Wax Center's peak SBA year was 2015 (75 loans); The Now Massage's peak was 2021 (13 loans). The Now Massage's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. European Wax Center has the most SBA funded units in TX, with 58. The Now Massage leads in CA, with 8. Borrowers should pick the brand whose strongest SBA state matches their own state for warmer lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded European Wax Center deals is $391K vs $541K for The Now Massage, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 1.8% for European Wax Center and 0.0% for The Now Massage, The Now Massage has the cleaner SBA loss record by 1.8 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 60 (Moderate) for European Wax Center and 64 (Moderate) for The Now Massage, giving The Now Massage the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 60/100 | 64/100 |
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% | 0.0% |
Peer Tier | major | established |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $328K to $837K | $350K to $765K |
Franchise Fee | $45K | $60K |
Royalty Rate | 6% | 7% |
Ad Fund | 3% | 2% |
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 | 46 |
Franchised Units | 1,062 | 46 |
Company Owned | 5 | – |
Term Length | 10 yrs | 10 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 2004 | 2015 |
Franchising Since | 2006 | 2017 |
Years Franchising | 20 yrs | 9 yrs |
Headquarters | COPPELL, TX | DANVILLE, CA |
Category | Other Personal Care Services | Other Personal Care Services |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2025 | 2025 |
Which Is Better, European Wax Center or The Now Massage?
Lower upfront capital required
European Wax Center
European Wax Center: $328K starting · The Now Massage: $350K starting
More SBA lender confidence
European Wax Center
European Wax Center: 389 SBA loans · The Now Massage: 50 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
The Now Massage
European Wax Center: 1.8% · The Now Massage: 0.0%
Larger system & brand presence
European Wax Center
European Wax Center: 1,067 units · The Now Massage: 46 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
European Wax Center
European Wax Center: 6% · The Now Massage: 7%
More lender financing options
European Wax Center
European Wax Center: 57 unique lenders · The Now Massage: 17 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 The Now Massage: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing European Wax Center and The Now Massage 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 The Now Massage 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 The Now Massage, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, European Wax Center or The Now Massage?
How much does a European Wax Center franchise cost compared to The Now Massage?
Can I finance European Wax Center or The Now Massage with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, European Wax Center or The Now Massage?
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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