Fastest Labs vs Unishippers
Fastest Labs vs Unishippers: Fastest Labs costs $100K–$200K to open; Unishippers costs $100K–$200K. Fastest Labs has 31 units, Unishippers has 27. SBA loan history: Fastest Labs = 37 loans (2.7% default); Unishippers = 33 loans (0.0% default). The franchise with more SBA-funded units, lower default rate, and lower royalty load is the safer financing bet, see the comparison below.
Fastest Labs vs Unishippers: Capital, Scale & Lending Analysis
Data-driven differentiation pulled from 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
Unishippers requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($100K vs $100K for Fastest Labs), a 0% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $40K for Fastest Labs versus $34K for Unishippers, Unishippers has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 7% for Fastest Labs and 5% for Unishippers, giving Unishippers the lighter per-unit drag on operating income.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Fastest Labs operates 31 units to Unishippers's 27. Unishippers has been operating 39 years (founded 1987) versus 9 for Fastest Labs (founded 2017), a 30-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Fastest Labs has the deeper SBA lending track record with 37 historical 7(a) approvals versus 33 for Unishippers. Fastest Labs's peak SBA year was 2021 (7 loans); Unishippers's peak was 2024 (3 loans). Unishippers's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Geographically, Fastest Labs concentrates in TX (8 SBA-funded units) while Unishippers leads in CA (9). Pick the brand whose strongest state matches yours for warmest lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded Fastest Labs deals is $151K vs $241K for Unishippers, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 2.7% for Fastest Labs and 0.0% for Unishippers, Unishippers has the cleaner historical loss profile by 2.7 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 75 (Strong) for Fastest Labs and 79 (Strong) for Unishippers, giving Unishippers the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 75/100 | 79/100 |
Health Tier | Strong | Strong |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Stable | Growing |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 37 | 33 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 2.7% | 0.0% |
Peer Tier | established | established |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $100K – $200K | $100K – $200K |
Franchise Fee | $40K | $34K |
Royalty Rate | 7% | 5% |
Ad Fund | 2% | 1% |
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 | 31 | 27 |
Franchised Units | 31 | 27 |
Company-Owned | – | – |
Term Length | 10 yrs | 5 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 2017 | 1987 |
Franchising Since | 2017 | 1987 |
Years Franchising | 9 yrs | 39 yrs |
Headquarters | San Antonio, TX | Salt Lake City, UT |
Category | Business Services | Business Services |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2025 | 2026 |
Which Is Better, Fastest Labs or Unishippers?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Fastest Labs: $100K starting · Unishippers: $100K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Fastest Labs
Fastest Labs: 37 SBA loans · Unishippers: 33 SBA loans
Lower historical default rate
Unishippers
Fastest Labs: 2.7% · Unishippers: 0.0%
Larger system & brand presence
Fastest Labs
Fastest Labs: 31 units · Unishippers: 27 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Unishippers
Fastest Labs: 7% · Unishippers: 5%
More lender financing options
Unishippers
Fastest Labs: 19 unique lenders · Unishippers: 24 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
Fastest Labs vs Unishippers: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Fastest Labs and Unishippers is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $100K to $200K.
Both brands have active SBA lending histories, Fastest Labs with 37 SBA loans and Unishippers with 33. This means proven lender acceptance and established underwriting paths for franchise buyers.
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.
Fastest Labs vs Unishippers, Frequently Asked Questions
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