Just Between Friends vs Uptown Cheapskate
Just Between Friends vs Uptown Cheapskate: Just Between Friends costs $67K to $98K to open; Uptown Cheapskate costs $176K to $300K. Just Between Friends has 151 units, Uptown Cheapskate has 90. SBA loan history: Just Between Friends = 9 loans (0.0% default); Uptown Cheapskate = 108 loans (2.8% 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.
Just Between Friends vs Uptown Cheapskate: 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
Just Between Friends requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($67K vs $176K for Uptown Cheapskate), a 62% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $25K for Just Between Friends versus $25K for Uptown Cheapskate, Just Between Friends has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 3% for Just Between Friends and 5% for Uptown Cheapskate, giving Just Between Friends the lighter per-unit drag on operating income.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Just Between Friends operates 151 units to Uptown Cheapskate's 90. Just Between Friends has been operating 29 years (founded 1997) versus 18 for Uptown Cheapskate (founded 2008), a 11-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Uptown Cheapskate has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 108 7(a) approvals compared with 9 for Just Between Friends. Just Between Friends's peak SBA year was 2023 (2 loans); Uptown Cheapskate's peak was 2025 (15 loans). Uptown Cheapskate'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 Just Between Friends deals is $135K vs $425K for Uptown Cheapskate, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 0.0% for Just Between Friends and 2.8% for Uptown Cheapskate, Just Between Friends has the cleaner SBA loss record by 2.8 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 67 (Strong) for Just Between Friends and 68 (Strong) for Uptown Cheapskate, giving Uptown Cheapskate the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 67/100 | 68/100 |
Health Tier | Strong | Strong |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Stable | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 9 | 108 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 0.0% | 2.8% |
Peer Tier | emerging | major |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $67K to $98K | $176K to $300K |
Franchise Fee | $25K | $25K |
Royalty Rate | 3% | 5% |
Ad Fund | 3% | 0.5% |
Liquid Capital | N/A | $75K |
Net Worth Required | N/A | $200K |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Disclosed | Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 151 | 90 |
Franchised Units | 146 | 90 |
Company Owned | 5 | – |
Term Length | 5 yrs | 10 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1997 | 2008 |
Franchising Since | 2003 | 2008 |
Years Franchising | 23 yrs | 18 yrs |
Headquarters | Tulsa, OK | DALLAS, TX |
Category | Used Merchandise Stores | Used Merchandise Stores |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2025 | 2025 |
Which Is Better, Just Between Friends or Uptown Cheapskate?
Lower upfront capital required
Just Between Friends
Just Between Friends: $67K starting · Uptown Cheapskate: $176K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Uptown Cheapskate
Just Between Friends: 9 SBA loans · Uptown Cheapskate: 108 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Just Between Friends
Just Between Friends: 0.0% · Uptown Cheapskate: 2.8%
Larger system & brand presence
Just Between Friends
Just Between Friends: 151 units · Uptown Cheapskate: 90 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Just Between Friends
Just Between Friends: 3% · Uptown Cheapskate: 5%
More lender financing options
Uptown Cheapskate
Just Between Friends: 7 unique lenders · Uptown Cheapskate: 25 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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Just Between Friends vs Uptown Cheapskate: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Just Between Friends and Uptown Cheapskate is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $67K to $300K.
Just Between Friends has 9 SBA loans on record and Uptown Cheapskate has 108. 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.
Just Between Friends vs Uptown Cheapskate, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Just Between Friends or Uptown Cheapskate?
How much does a Just Between Friends franchise cost compared to Uptown Cheapskate?
Can I finance Just Between Friends or Uptown Cheapskate with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Just Between Friends or Uptown Cheapskate?
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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