Line-X vs Set The Stage
Line-X vs Set The Stage: Line-X costs $25K to $561K to open; Set The Stage costs $150K to $300K. Line-X has 152 units, Set The Stage has 23. SBA loan history: Line-X = 204 loans (9.3% default); Set The Stage = 25 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.
Line-X vs Set The Stage: 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
Line-X requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($25K vs $150K for Set The Stage), a 83% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $50K for Line-X versus $35K for Set The Stage, Set The Stage has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 5.4% for Line-X and 5.5% for Set The Stage, giving Line-X the lighter per-unit drag on operating income.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Line-X operates 152 units to Set The Stage's 23, roughly 7× the system size.
SBA Lending Profile
Line-X has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 204 7(a) approvals compared with 25 for Set The Stage. Line-X's peak SBA year was 2005 (32 loans); Set The Stage's peak was 2025 (16 loans). Set The Stage's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Line-X has the most SBA funded units in FL, with 18. Set The Stage leads in GA, with 4. Borrowers should pick the brand whose strongest SBA state matches their own state for warmer lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded Line-X deals is $235K vs $237K for Set The Stage, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 9.3% for Line-X and 0.0% for Set The Stage, Set The Stage has the cleaner SBA loss record by 9.3 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 60 (Moderate) for Line-X and 70 (Strong) for Set The Stage, giving Set The Stage the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 60/100 | 70/100 |
Health Tier | Moderate | Strong |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | N/A |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 204 | 25 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 9.3% | 0.0% |
Peer Tier | major | established |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $25K to $561K | $150K to $300K |
Franchise Fee | $50K | $35K |
Royalty Rate | 5.4% | 5.5% |
Ad Fund | 1.5% | 2% |
Liquid Capital | $50K | N/A |
Net Worth Required | $150K | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Not Disclosed | Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 152 | 23 |
Franchised Units | 152 | 23 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | 5 yrs | 10 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1993 | N/A |
Franchising Since | 1999 | 2016 |
Years Franchising | 27 yrs | 10 yrs |
Headquarters | BRADENTON, FL | Atlanta, GA |
Category | Interior Design Services | Interior Design Services |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2026 | 2026 |
Which Is Better, Line-X or Set The Stage?
Lower upfront capital required
Line-X
Line-X: $25K starting · Set The Stage: $150K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Line-X
Line-X: 204 SBA loans · Set The Stage: 25 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Set The Stage
Line-X: 9.3% · Set The Stage: 0.0%
Larger system & brand presence
Line-X
Line-X: 152 units · Set The Stage: 23 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Line-X
Line-X: 5.4% · Set The Stage: 5.5%
More lender financing options
Line-X
Line-X: 105 unique lenders · Set The Stage: 8 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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Line-X vs Set The Stage: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Line-X and Set The Stage is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $25K to $561K.
Line-X has 204 SBA loans on record and Set The Stage has 25. 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.
Line-X vs Set The Stage, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Line-X or Set The Stage?
How much does a Line-X franchise cost compared to Set The Stage?
Can I finance Line-X or Set The Stage with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Line-X or Set The Stage?
Talk to PeerSense
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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