Fleet Feet vs FOOT SOLUTIONS
Fleet Feet vs FOOT SOLUTIONS: Fleet Feet costs $229K–$545K to open; FOOT SOLUTIONS costs $165K–$272K. Fleet Feet has 275 units, FOOT SOLUTIONS has 75. SBA loan history: Fleet Feet = 102 loans (3.9% default); FOOT SOLUTIONS = 94 loans (26.6% default). The franchise with more SBA-funded units, lower default rate, and lower royalty load is the safer financing bet, see the comparison below.
Fleet Feet vs FOOT SOLUTIONS: 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
FOOT SOLUTIONS requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($165K vs $229K for Fleet Feet), a 39% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $45K for Fleet Feet versus $45K for FOOT SOLUTIONS. Ongoing royalty load is 4% for Fleet Feet and 5% for FOOT SOLUTIONS, giving Fleet Feet the lighter per-unit drag on operating income.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Fleet Feet operates 275 units to FOOT SOLUTIONS's 75, roughly 4× the system size. Fleet Feet has been operating 50 years (founded 1976) versus 26 for FOOT SOLUTIONS (founded 2000), a 24-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Fleet Feet has the deeper SBA lending track record with 102 historical 7(a) approvals versus 94 for FOOT SOLUTIONS.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 3.9% for Fleet Feet and 26.6% for FOOT SOLUTIONS, Fleet Feet has the cleaner historical loss profile by 22.7 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 67 (Strong) for Fleet Feet and 30 (Fair) for FOOT SOLUTIONS, giving Fleet Feet the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 67/100 | 30/100 |
Health Tier | Strong | Limited |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 102 | 94 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 3.9% | 26.6% |
Peer Tier | major | established |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $229K – $545K | $165K – $272K |
Franchise Fee | $45K | $45K |
Royalty Rate | 4% | 5% |
Ad Fund | 0.25% | N/A |
Liquid Capital | $80K | $50K |
Net Worth Required | N/A | $250K |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 275 | 75 |
Franchised Units | 192 | 75 |
Company-Owned | 83 | – |
Term Length | 20 yrs | N/A |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1976 | 2000 |
Franchising Since | 2002 | N/A |
Years Franchising | 24 yrs | N/A |
Headquarters | APTOS, CA | N/A |
Category | Shoe Stores | Shoe Stores |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2026 | N/A |
Which Is Better, Fleet Feet or FOOT SOLUTIONS?
Lower upfront capital required
FOOT SOLUTIONS
Fleet Feet: $229K starting · FOOT SOLUTIONS: $165K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Fleet Feet
Fleet Feet: 102 SBA loans · FOOT SOLUTIONS: 94 SBA loans
Lower historical default rate
Fleet Feet
Fleet Feet: 3.9% · FOOT SOLUTIONS: 26.6%
Larger system & brand presence
Fleet Feet
Fleet Feet: 275 units · FOOT SOLUTIONS: 75 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Fleet Feet
Fleet Feet: 4% · FOOT SOLUTIONS: 5%
More lender financing options
Fleet Feet
Fleet Feet: 49 unique lenders · FOOT SOLUTIONS: 40 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
Fleet Feet vs FOOT SOLUTIONS: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Fleet Feet and FOOT SOLUTIONS is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $165K to $545K.
Both brands have active SBA lending histories, Fleet Feet with 102 SBA loans and FOOT SOLUTIONS with 94. 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.
Fleet Feet vs FOOT SOLUTIONS, Frequently Asked Questions
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