Hobbytown Usa vs Play N Trade
Hobbytown Usa vs Play N Trade: Hobbytown Usa costs $66K to $252K to open; Play N Trade costs $135K to $329K. Hobbytown Usa has 123 units, Play N Trade has 43. SBA loan history: Hobbytown Usa = 134 loans (12.7% default); Play N Trade = 56 loans (55.4% 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.
Hobbytown Usa vs Play N Trade: 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
Hobbytown Usa requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($66K vs $135K for Play N Trade), a 51% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $75K for Hobbytown Usa versus $30K for Play N Trade, Play N Trade has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 4.75% for Hobbytown Usa and 4% for Play N Trade, giving Play N Trade the lighter per-unit drag on operating income.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Hobbytown Usa operates 123 units to Play N Trade's 43, roughly 3× the system size. Hobbytown Usa has been operating 57 years (founded 1969) versus 26 for Play N Trade (founded 2000), a 31-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Hobbytown Usa has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 134 7(a) approvals compared with 56 for Play N Trade.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 12.7% for Hobbytown Usa and 55.4% for Play N Trade, Hobbytown Usa has the cleaner SBA loss record by 42.7 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 37 (Fair) for Hobbytown Usa and 26 (Fair) for Play N Trade, giving Hobbytown Usa the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 37/100 | 26/100 |
Health Tier | Fair | Limited |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 134 | 56 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 12.7% | 55.4% |
Peer Tier | major | established |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $66K to $252K | $135K to $329K |
Franchise Fee | $75K | $30K |
Royalty Rate | 4.75% | 4% |
Ad Fund | N/A | 1% |
Liquid Capital | $60K | N/A |
Net Worth Required | $150K | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 123 | 43 |
Franchised Units | 123 | 43 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | 5 yrs | 10 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1969 | 2000 |
Franchising Since | 2023 | N/A |
Years Franchising | 3 yrs | N/A |
Headquarters | TYLER, TX | San Clemente, CA |
Category | Hobby, Toy, | Hobby, Toy, |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2025 | N/A |
Which Is Better, Hobbytown Usa or Play N Trade?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Hobbytown Usa: $66K starting · Play N Trade: $135K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Hobbytown Usa
Hobbytown Usa: 134 SBA loans · Play N Trade: 56 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Hobbytown Usa
Hobbytown Usa: 12.7% · Play N Trade: 55.4%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
Hobbytown Usa: 123 units · Play N Trade: 43 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Play N Trade
Hobbytown Usa: 4.75% · Play N Trade: 4%
More lender financing options
Hobbytown Usa
Hobbytown Usa: 72 unique lenders · Play N Trade: 29 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
Hobbytown Usa vs Play N Trade: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Hobbytown Usa and Play N Trade is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $66K to $329K.
Hobbytown Usa has 134 SBA loans on record and Play N Trade has 56. 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.
Hobbytown Usa vs Play N Trade, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Hobbytown Usa or Play N Trade?
How much does a Hobbytown Usa franchise cost compared to Play N Trade?
Can I finance Hobbytown Usa or Play N Trade with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Hobbytown Usa or Play N Trade?
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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; it does not lend, fund, or approve loans, and 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