Fred Astaire Dance Studios vs Pinots Palette
Fred Astaire Dance Studios vs Pinots Palette: Fred Astaire Dance Studios costs $296K–$658K to open; Pinots Palette costs $125K–$339K. Fred Astaire Dance Studios has 261 units, Pinots Palette has 27. SBA loan history: Fred Astaire Dance Studios = 47 loans (4.3% default); Pinots Palette = 36 loans (13.9% default). The franchise with more SBA-funded units, lower default rate, and lower royalty load is the safer financing bet, see the comparison below.
Fred Astaire Dance Studios vs Pinots Palette: 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
Pinots Palette requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($125K vs $296K for Fred Astaire Dance Studios), a 137% spread.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Fred Astaire Dance Studios operates 261 units to Pinots Palette's 27, roughly 10× the system size.
SBA Lending Profile
Fred Astaire Dance Studios has the deeper SBA lending track record with 47 historical 7(a) approvals versus 36 for Pinots Palette. Fred Astaire Dance Studios's peak SBA year was 2019 (7 loans); Pinots Palette's peak was 2015 (10 loans). Fred Astaire Dance Studios's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Geographically, Fred Astaire Dance Studios concentrates in WI (10 SBA-funded units) while Pinots Palette leads in CA (8). Pick the brand whose strongest state matches yours for warmest lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded Fred Astaire Dance Studios deals is $350K vs $147K for Pinots Palette, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 4.3% for Fred Astaire Dance Studios and 13.9% for Pinots Palette, Fred Astaire Dance Studios has the cleaner historical loss profile by 9.6 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 66 (Strong) for Fred Astaire Dance Studios and 29 (Fair) for Pinots Palette, giving Fred Astaire Dance Studios the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 66/100 | 29/100 |
Health Tier | Strong | Limited |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Growing | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 47 | 36 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 4.3% | 13.9% |
Peer Tier | established | established |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $296K – $658K | $125K – $339K |
Franchise Fee | $35K | N/A |
Royalty Rate | 7% | N/A |
Ad Fund | 5% | 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 | 261 | 27 |
Franchised Units | 261 | 27 |
Company-Owned | – | – |
Term Length | 10 yrs | N/A |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1947 | N/A |
Franchising Since | 1964 | N/A |
Years Franchising | 62 yrs | N/A |
Headquarters | Appleton, WI | NV |
Category | Fine Arts Schools | Fine Arts Schools |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2026 | N/A |
Which Is Better, Fred Astaire Dance Studios or Pinots Palette?
Lower upfront capital required
Pinots Palette
Fred Astaire Dance Studios: $296K starting · Pinots Palette: $125K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Fred Astaire Dance Studios
Fred Astaire Dance Studios: 47 SBA loans · Pinots Palette: 36 SBA loans
Lower historical default rate
Fred Astaire Dance Studios
Fred Astaire Dance Studios: 4.3% · Pinots Palette: 13.9%
Larger system & brand presence
Fred Astaire Dance Studios
Fred Astaire Dance Studios: 261 units · Pinots Palette: 27 units
More lender financing options
Fred Astaire Dance Studios
Fred Astaire Dance Studios: 24 unique lenders · Pinots Palette: 22 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
Fred Astaire Dance Studios vs Pinots Palette: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Fred Astaire Dance Studios and Pinots Palette is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $125K to $658K.
Both brands have active SBA lending histories, Fred Astaire Dance Studios with 47 SBA loans and Pinots Palette with 36. 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.
Fred Astaire Dance Studios vs Pinots Palette, Frequently Asked Questions
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