Fantastic Sams vs Sport Clips
Fantastic Sams vs Sport Clips: Fantastic Sams costs $172K to $462K to open; Sport Clips costs $289K to $475K. Fantastic Sams has 512 units, Sport Clips has 349. SBA loan history: Fantastic Sams = 536 loans (18.1% default); Sport Clips = 320 loans (7.5% 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.
Fantastic Sams vs Sport Clips: 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
Fantastic Sams requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($172K vs $289K for Sport Clips), a 41% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $40K for Fantastic Sams versus $70K for Sport Clips, Fantastic Sams has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 6% for Fantastic Sams and 6% for Sport Clips, equal royalty drag.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Fantastic Sams operates 512 units to Sport Clips's 349. Fantastic Sams has been operating 66 years (founded 1960) versus 33 for Sport Clips (founded 1993), a 33-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Fantastic Sams has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 536 7(a) approvals compared with 320 for Sport Clips. Fantastic Sams's peak SBA year was 2017 (32 loans); Sport Clips's peak was 2015 (87 loans). Fantastic Sams's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Fantastic Sams has the most SBA funded units in TX, with 24. Sport Clips leads in IL, with 28. Borrowers should pick the brand whose strongest SBA state matches their own state for warmer lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded Fantastic Sams deals is $218K vs $232K for Sport Clips, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 18.1% for Fantastic Sams and 7.5% for Sport Clips, Sport Clips has the cleaner SBA loss record by 10.6 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 43 (Fair) for Fantastic Sams and 47 (Fair) for Sport Clips, giving Sport Clips the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 43/100 | 47/100 |
Health Tier | Fair | Fair |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 536 | 320 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 18.1% | 7.5% |
Peer Tier | major | major |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $172K to $462K | $289K to $475K |
Franchise Fee | $40K | $70K |
Royalty Rate | 6% | 6% |
Ad Fund | 3% | 5% |
Liquid Capital | $30K | $200K |
Net Worth Required | $300K | $400K |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Disclosed | Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 512 | 349 |
Franchised Units | 512 | 349 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | 10 yrs | 5 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1960 | 1993 |
Franchising Since | 1976 | 1960 |
Years Franchising | 50 yrs | 66 yrs |
Headquarters | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | Georgetown, TX |
Category | Beauty Salons | Beauty Salons |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2025 | 2026 |
Which Is Better, Fantastic Sams or Sport Clips?
Lower upfront capital required
Fantastic Sams
Fantastic Sams: $172K starting · Sport Clips: $289K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Fantastic Sams
Fantastic Sams: 536 SBA loans · Sport Clips: 320 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Sport Clips
Fantastic Sams: 18.1% · Sport Clips: 7.5%
Larger system & brand presence
Fantastic Sams
Fantastic Sams: 512 units · Sport Clips: 349 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Tie
Fantastic Sams: 6% · Sport Clips: 6%
More lender financing options
Fantastic Sams
Fantastic Sams: 138 unique lenders · Sport Clips: 39 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
Fantastic Sams vs Sport Clips: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Fantastic Sams and Sport Clips is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $172K to $475K.
Fantastic Sams has 536 SBA loans on record and Sport Clips has 320. 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.
Fantastic Sams vs Sport Clips, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Fantastic Sams or Sport Clips?
How much does a Fantastic Sams franchise cost compared to Sport Clips?
Can I finance Fantastic Sams or Sport Clips with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Fantastic Sams or Sport Clips?
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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; it does not lend, fund, or approve loans, and 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