Scout & Molly's vs Lizard Thicket
Scout & Molly's vs Lizard Thicket: Scout & Molly's costs $288K to $388K to open; Lizard Thicket costs $150K to $522K. Scout & Molly's has 17 units, Lizard Thicket has 17. SBA loan history: Scout & Molly's = 17 loans (23.5% default); Lizard Thicket = 11 loans (0.0% 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.
Scout & Molly's vs Lizard Thicket: 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
Lizard Thicket requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($150K vs $288K for Scout & Molly's), a 92% spread.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Lizard Thicket operates 17 units to Scout & Molly's's 17. Lizard Thicket has been operating 45 years (founded 1981) versus 24 for Scout & Molly's (founded 2002), a 21-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Scout & Molly's has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 17 7(a) approvals compared with 11 for Lizard Thicket.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 23.5% for Scout & Molly's and 0.0% for Lizard Thicket, Lizard Thicket has the cleaner SBA loss record by 23.5 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 28 (Fair) for Scout & Molly's and 46 (Fair) for Lizard Thicket, giving Lizard Thicket the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 28/100 | 46/100 |
Health Tier | Limited | Fair |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 17 | 11 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 23.5% | 0.0% |
Peer Tier | growing | growing |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $288K to $388K | $150K to $522K |
Franchise Fee | $60K | N/A |
Royalty Rate | 7% | N/A |
Ad Fund | 1% | N/A |
Liquid Capital | N/A | N/A |
Net Worth Required | N/A | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 17 | 17 |
Franchised Units | 17 | 17 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | 20 yrs | N/A |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 2002 | 1981 |
Franchising Since | 2014 | N/A |
Years Franchising | 12 yrs | N/A |
Headquarters | King of Prussia, PA | CUMMING, GA |
Category | Clothing Accessories Stores | Clothing Accessories Stores |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2025 | N/A |
Which Is Better, Scout & Molly's or Lizard Thicket?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Scout & Molly's: $288K starting · Lizard Thicket: $150K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Scout & Molly's
Scout & Molly's: 17 SBA loans · Lizard Thicket: 11 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Lizard Thicket
Scout & Molly's: 23.5% · Lizard Thicket: 0.0%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
Scout & Molly's: 17 units · Lizard Thicket: 17 units
More lender financing options
Lizard Thicket
Scout & Molly's: 6 unique lenders · Lizard Thicket: 8 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
Scout & Molly's vs Lizard Thicket: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Scout & Molly's and Lizard Thicket is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $150K to $522K.
Scout & Molly's has 17 SBA loans on record and Lizard Thicket has 11. 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.
Scout & Molly's vs Lizard Thicket, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Scout & Molly's or Lizard Thicket?
How much does a Scout & Molly's franchise cost compared to Lizard Thicket?
Can I finance Scout & Molly's or Lizard Thicket with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Scout & Molly's or Lizard Thicket?
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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