Image Arts Etc. vs Sports Section (The)
Image Arts Etc. vs Sports Section (The): Image Arts Etc. costs $58K to $150K to open; Sports Section (The) costs $27K to $95K. Image Arts Etc. has 14 units, Sports Section (The) has 7. SBA loan history: Image Arts Etc. = 19 loans (31.6% default); Sports Section (The) = 7 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.
Image Arts Etc. vs Sports Section (The): 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
Sports Section (The) requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($27K vs $58K for Image Arts Etc.), a 112% spread.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Image Arts Etc. operates 14 units to Sports Section (The)'s 7.
SBA Lending Profile
Image Arts Etc. has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 19 7(a) approvals compared with 7 for Sports Section (The). Image Arts Etc.'s peak SBA year was 2001 (8 loans); Sports Section (The)'s peak was 2003 (2 loans). Sports Section (The)'s more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Both systems have the most SBA funded units in TX. Borrowers in that state will find the deepest lender familiarity with either brand. Average SBA loan size on funded Image Arts Etc. deals is $114K vs $47K for Sports Section (The), useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 31.6% for Image Arts Etc. and 0.0% for Sports Section (The), Sports Section (The) has the cleaner SBA loss record by 31.6 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 25 (Fair) for Image Arts Etc. and 55 (Moderate) for Sports Section (The), giving Sports Section (The) the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 25/100 | 55/100 |
Health Tier | Limited | Moderate |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | N/A |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 19 | 7 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 31.6% | 0.0% |
Peer Tier | growing | emerging |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $58K to $150K | $27K to $95K |
Franchise Fee | $68K | N/A |
Royalty Rate | N/A | N/A |
Ad Fund | N/A | 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 | 14 | 7 |
Franchised Units | 14 | 7 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | N/A | N/A |
Brand Information
Year Founded | N/A | N/A |
Franchising Since | N/A | N/A |
Years Franchising | N/A | N/A |
Headquarters | COPPELL, TX | MA |
Category | Photography Studios, Portrait | Photography Studios, Portrait |
Website | ||
FDD Year | N/A | N/A |
Which Is Better, Image Arts Etc. or Sports Section (The)?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Image Arts Etc.: $58K starting · Sports Section (The): $27K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Image Arts Etc.
Image Arts Etc.: 19 SBA loans · Sports Section (The): 7 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Sports Section (The)
Image Arts Etc.: 31.6% · Sports Section (The): 0.0%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
Image Arts Etc.: 14 units · Sports Section (The): 7 units
More lender financing options
Image Arts Etc.
Image Arts Etc.: 12 unique lenders · Sports Section (The): 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.
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About These Franchises
Image Arts Etc. vs Sports Section (The): Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Image Arts Etc. and Sports Section (The) is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $27K to $150K.
Image Arts Etc. has 19 SBA loans on record and Sports Section (The) has 7. 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.
Image Arts Etc. vs Sports Section (The), Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Image Arts Etc. or Sports Section (The)?
How much does a Image Arts Etc. franchise cost compared to Sports Section (The)?
Can I finance Image Arts Etc. or Sports Section (The) with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Image Arts Etc. or Sports Section (The)?
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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