Icode vs Young Chefs Academcy
Icode vs Young Chefs Academcy: Icode costs $77K to $491K to open; Young Chefs Academcy costs $78K to $252K. Icode has 51 units, Young Chefs Academcy has 7. SBA loan history: Icode = 35 loans (5.7% default); Young Chefs Academcy = 9 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.
Icode vs Young Chefs Academcy: 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
Icode requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($77K vs $78K for Young Chefs Academcy), a 1% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $40K for Icode versus $50K for Young Chefs Academcy, Icode has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 8% for Icode and 6% for Young Chefs Academcy, giving Young Chefs Academcy the lighter per-unit drag on operating income.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Icode operates 51 units to Young Chefs Academcy's 7, roughly 7× the system size.
SBA Lending Profile
Icode has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 35 7(a) approvals compared with 9 for Young Chefs Academcy. Icode's peak SBA year was 2023 (10 loans); Young Chefs Academcy's peak was 2018 (3 loans). Icode's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Icode has the most SBA funded units in TX, with 10. Young Chefs Academcy leads in OH, with 3. Borrowers should pick the brand whose strongest SBA state matches their own state for warmer lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded Icode deals is $268K vs $150K for Young Chefs Academcy, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 5.7% for Icode and 0.0% for Young Chefs Academcy, Young Chefs Academcy has the cleaner SBA loss record by 5.7 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 63 (Moderate) for Icode and 51 (Moderate) for Young Chefs Academcy, giving Icode the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 63/100 | 51/100 |
Health Tier | Moderate | Moderate |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Stable | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 35 | 9 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 5.7% | 0.0% |
Peer Tier | established | emerging |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $77K to $491K | $78K to $252K |
Franchise Fee | $40K | $50K |
Royalty Rate | 8% | 6% |
Ad Fund | 2% | 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 | 51 | 7 |
Franchised Units | 47 | 7 |
Company Owned | 4 | – |
Term Length | 10 yrs | N/A |
Brand Information
Year Founded | N/A | 2004 |
Franchising Since | 2016 | N/A |
Years Franchising | 10 yrs | N/A |
Headquarters | TX | Columbus, OH |
Category | All Other Miscellaneous Schools | All Other Miscellaneous Schools |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2025 | N/A |
Which Is Better, Icode or Young Chefs Academcy?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Icode: $77K starting · Young Chefs Academcy: $78K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Icode
Icode: 35 SBA loans · Young Chefs Academcy: 9 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Young Chefs Academcy
Icode: 5.7% · Young Chefs Academcy: 0.0%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
Icode: 51 units · Young Chefs Academcy: 7 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Young Chefs Academcy
Icode: 8% · Young Chefs Academcy: 6%
More lender financing options
Icode
Icode: 14 unique lenders · Young Chefs Academcy: 6 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.
Need Funding for Icode or Young Chefs Academcy?
PeerSense connects you with 500+ SBA lenders and capital sources. Our referral fee is established upfront and paid at closing.
SBA Lenders & Capital Sources
Retainers or Consulting Fees
10% Down Franchise Loans
About These Franchises
Icode vs Young Chefs Academcy: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Icode and Young Chefs Academcy is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $77K to $491K.
Icode has 35 SBA loans on record and Young Chefs Academcy has 9. 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.
Icode vs Young Chefs Academcy, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Icode or Young Chefs Academcy?
How much does a Icode franchise cost compared to Young Chefs Academcy?
Can I finance Icode or Young Chefs Academcy with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Icode or Young Chefs Academcy?
Talk to PeerSense
Tell us which brand and your budget. We source capital from lenders who have already funded deals in these systems.
Franchise / SBA 7(a): The desk will reach out. No obligation.
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