Fire+Ice vs Mad Science
Fire+Ice vs Mad Science: Fire+Ice costs $133K to $340K to open; Mad Science costs $508K to $2.0M. Fire+Ice has 7 units, Mad Science has 36. SBA loan history: Fire+Ice = 7 loans (0.0% default); Mad Science = 38 loans (13.2% 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 Mad Science: 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
Fire+Ice requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($133K vs $508K for Mad Science), a 74% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $45K for Fire+Ice versus $49K for Mad Science, Fire+Ice has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 5% for Fire+Ice and 3% for Mad Science, giving Mad Science the lighter per-unit drag on operating income.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Mad Science operates 36 units to Fire+Ice's 7, roughly 5× the system size.
SBA Lending Profile
Mad Science has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 38 7(a) approvals compared with 7 for Fire+Ice. Fire+Ice's peak SBA year was 2013 (2 loans); Mad Science's peak was 1998 (6 loans). Fire+Ice's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Fire+Ice has the most SBA funded units in NC, with 1. Mad Science leads in CA, with 7. 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 $166K for Mad Science, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 0.0% for Fire+Ice and 13.2% for Mad Science, Fire+Ice has the cleaner SBA loss record by 13.2 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 42 (Fair) for Fire+Ice and 30 (Fair) for Mad Science, giving Fire+Ice the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 42/100 | 30/100 |
Health Tier | Fair | Limited |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 7 | 38 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 0.0% | 13.2% |
Peer Tier | emerging | established |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $133K to $340K | $508K to $2.0M |
Franchise Fee | $45K | $49K |
Royalty Rate | 5% | 3% |
Ad Fund | 2% | 3.5% |
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 | 36 |
Franchised Units | 7 | 36 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | 10 yrs | 10 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1997 | N/A |
Franchising Since | N/A | N/A |
Years Franchising | N/A | N/A |
Headquarters | Rancho Cordova, CA | MD |
Category | Educational Support Services | Educational Support Services |
Website | ||
FDD Year | N/A | 2025 |
Which Is Better, Fire+Ice or Mad Science?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Fire+Ice: $133K starting · Mad Science: $508K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Mad Science
Fire+Ice: 7 SBA loans · Mad Science: 38 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Fire+Ice
Fire+Ice: 0.0% · Mad Science: 13.2%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
Fire+Ice: 7 units · Mad Science: 36 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Mad Science
Fire+Ice: 5% · Mad Science: 3%
More lender financing options
Mad Science
Fire+Ice: 7 unique lenders · Mad Science: 21 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 Mad Science: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Fire+Ice and Mad Science is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $133K to $2.0M.
Fire+Ice has 7 SBA loans on record and Mad Science has 38. 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 Mad Science, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Fire+Ice or Mad Science?
How much does a Fire+Ice franchise cost compared to Mad Science?
Can I finance Fire+Ice or Mad Science with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Fire+Ice or Mad Science?
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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