Iga Food Stores vs Save-A-Lot Food Stores
Iga Food Stores vs Save-A-Lot Food Stores: Iga Food Stores costs $147K–$1.4M to open; Save-A-Lot Food Stores costs $180K–$1.0M. Iga Food Stores has 45 units, Save-A-Lot Food Stores has 19. SBA loan history: Iga Food Stores = 49 loans (12.2% default); Save-A-Lot Food Stores = 23 loans (13.0% default). The franchise with more SBA-funded units, lower default rate, and lower royalty load is the safer financing bet — see the comparison below.
Iga Food Stores vs Save-A-Lot Food Stores — 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
Iga Food Stores requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($147K vs $180K for Save-A-Lot Food Stores), a 18% spread.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Iga Food Stores operates 45 units to Save-A-Lot Food Stores's 19 — roughly 2× the system size.
SBA Lending Profile
Iga Food Stores has the deeper SBA lending track record with 49 historical 7(a) approvals versus 23 for Save-A-Lot Food Stores. Iga Food Stores's peak SBA year was 2009 (9 loans); Save-A-Lot Food Stores's peak was 2021 (11 loans). Save-A-Lot Food Stores's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Geographically, Iga Food Stores concentrates in OH (9 SBA-funded units) while Save-A-Lot Food Stores leads in MI (5) — pick the brand whose strongest state matches yours for warmest lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded Iga Food Stores deals is $672K vs $904K for Save-A-Lot Food Stores — useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 12.2% for Iga Food Stores and 13.0% for Save-A-Lot Food Stores — Iga Food Stores has the cleaner historical loss profile by 0.8 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 26 (Fair) for Iga Food Stores and 28 (Fair) for Save-A-Lot Food Stores, giving Save-A-Lot Food Stores the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 26/100 | 28/100 |
Health Tier | Limited | Limited |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 49 | 23 |
SBA Volume | — | — |
Default Rate | 12.2% | 13.0% |
Peer Tier | established | growing |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $147K – $1.4M | $180K – $1.0M |
Franchise Fee | $25K | N/A |
Royalty Rate | N/A | 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 | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 45 | 19 |
Franchised Units | 45 | 19 |
Company-Owned | — | — |
Term Length | N/A | N/A |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1926 | N/A |
Franchising Since | N/A | N/A |
Years Franchising | N/A | N/A |
Headquarters | CINCINNATI, OH | Aurora, IL |
Category | Supermarkets | Supermarkets |
Website | ||
FDD Year | N/A | N/A |
Which Is Better — Iga Food Stores or Save-A-Lot Food Stores?
Lower upfront capital required
Iga Food Stores
Iga Food Stores: $147K starting · Save-A-Lot Food Stores: $180K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Iga Food Stores
Iga Food Stores: 49 SBA loans · Save-A-Lot Food Stores: 23 SBA loans
Lower historical default rate
Iga Food Stores
Iga Food Stores: 12.2% · Save-A-Lot Food Stores: 13.0%
Larger system & brand presence
Iga Food Stores
Iga Food Stores: 45 units · Save-A-Lot Food Stores: 19 units
More lender financing options
Iga Food Stores
Iga Food Stores: 34 unique lenders · Save-A-Lot Food Stores: 19 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
Iga Food Stores vs Save-A-Lot Food Stores: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Iga Food Stores and Save-A-Lot Food Stores is about more than brand preference — it's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $147K to $1.4M.
Both brands have active SBA lending histories — Iga Food Stores with 49 SBA loans and Save-A-Lot Food Stores with 23. 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.