Fire+Ice vs Learning Rx
Fire+Ice vs Learning Rx: Fire+Ice costs $133K to $340K to open; Learning Rx costs $50K to $290K. Fire+Ice has 7 units, Learning Rx has 22. SBA loan history: Fire+Ice = 7 loans (0.0% default); Learning Rx = 22 loans (22.7% 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.
Fire+Ice vs Learning Rx: 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
Learning Rx requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($50K vs $133K for Fire+Ice), a 167% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $45K for Fire+Ice versus $60K for Learning Rx, Fire+Ice has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 5% for Fire+Ice and 8% for Learning Rx, giving Fire+Ice the lighter per-unit drag on operating income.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Learning Rx operates 22 units to Fire+Ice's 7, roughly 3× the system size. Fire+Ice has been operating 29 years (founded 1997) versus 24 for Learning Rx (founded 2002), a 5-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Learning Rx has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 22 7(a) approvals compared with 7 for Fire+Ice. Fire+Ice's peak SBA year was 2013 (2 loans); Learning Rx's peak was 2011 (7 loans). Fire+Ice's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Fire+Ice has the most SBA funded units in NC, with 1. Learning Rx leads in TX, with 4. Borrowers should pick the brand whose strongest SBA state matches their own state for warmer lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded Fire+Ice deals is $222K vs $141K for Learning Rx, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 0.0% for Fire+Ice and 22.7% for Learning Rx, Fire+Ice has the cleaner SBA loss record by 22.7 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 42 (Fair) for Fire+Ice and 24 (Fair) for Learning Rx, giving Fire+Ice the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 42/100 | 24/100 |
Health Tier | Fair | Limited |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 7 | 22 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 0.0% | 22.7% |
Peer Tier | emerging | growing |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $133K to $340K | $50K to $290K |
Franchise Fee | $45K | $60K |
Royalty Rate | 5% | 8% |
Ad Fund | 2% | 3% |
Liquid Capital | N/A | N/A |
Net Worth Required | N/A | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Not Disclosed | Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 7 | 22 |
Franchised Units | 7 | 22 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | 10 yrs | 10 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1997 | 2002 |
Franchising Since | N/A | 2003 |
Years Franchising | N/A | 23 yrs |
Headquarters | Rancho Cordova, CA | YOUNGSVILLE, LA |
Category | Educational Support Services | Educational Support Services |
Website | ||
FDD Year | N/A | 2026 |
Which Is Better, Fire+Ice or Learning Rx?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Fire+Ice: $133K starting · Learning Rx: $50K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Learning Rx
Fire+Ice: 7 SBA loans · Learning Rx: 22 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Fire+Ice
Fire+Ice: 0.0% · Learning Rx: 22.7%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
Fire+Ice: 7 units · Learning Rx: 22 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Fire+Ice
Fire+Ice: 5% · Learning Rx: 8%
More lender financing options
Learning Rx
Fire+Ice: 7 unique lenders · Learning Rx: 14 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
Fire+Ice vs Learning Rx: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Fire+Ice and Learning Rx is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $50K to $340K.
Fire+Ice has 7 SBA loans on record and Learning Rx has 22. 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.
Fire+Ice vs Learning Rx, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Fire+Ice or Learning Rx?
How much does a Fire+Ice franchise cost compared to Learning Rx?
Can I finance Fire+Ice or Learning Rx with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Fire+Ice or Learning Rx?
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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