Luv 2 Play vs Monster Mini Golf
Luv 2 Play vs Monster Mini Golf: Luv 2 Play costs $149K to $776K to open; Monster Mini Golf costs $51K to $512K. Luv 2 Play has 24 units, Monster Mini Golf has 20. SBA loan history: Luv 2 Play = 38 loans (2.6% default); Monster Mini Golf = 29 loans (17.2% 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.
Luv 2 Play vs Monster Mini Golf: 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
Monster Mini Golf requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($51K vs $149K for Luv 2 Play), a 196% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $30K for Luv 2 Play versus $40K for Monster Mini Golf, Luv 2 Play has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 6% for Luv 2 Play and 7% for Monster Mini Golf, giving Luv 2 Play the lighter per-unit drag on operating income.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Luv 2 Play operates 24 units to Monster Mini Golf's 20. Monster Mini Golf has been operating 22 years (founded 2004) versus 14 for Luv 2 Play (founded 2012), a 8-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Luv 2 Play has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 38 7(a) approvals compared with 29 for Monster Mini Golf. Luv 2 Play's peak SBA year was 2016 (12 loans); Monster Mini Golf's peak was 2025 (5 loans). Monster Mini Golf's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Luv 2 Play has the most SBA funded units in CA, with 22. Monster Mini Golf leads in NJ, 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 Luv 2 Play deals is $471K vs $889K for Monster Mini Golf, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 2.6% for Luv 2 Play and 17.2% for Monster Mini Golf, Luv 2 Play has the cleaner SBA loss record by 14.6 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 49 (Fair) for Luv 2 Play and 55 (Moderate) for Monster Mini Golf, giving Monster Mini Golf the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 49/100 | 55/100 |
Health Tier | Fair | Moderate |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 38 | 29 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 2.6% | 17.2% |
Peer Tier | established | established |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $149K to $776K | $51K to $512K |
Franchise Fee | $30K | $40K |
Royalty Rate | 6% | 7% |
Ad Fund | N/A | 2% |
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 | 24 | 20 |
Franchised Units | 24 | 20 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | N/A | 5 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 2012 | 2004 |
Franchising Since | N/A | N/A |
Years Franchising | N/A | N/A |
Headquarters | RIVERSIDE, CA | Providence, RI |
Category | All Other Amusement | All Other Amusement |
Website | ||
FDD Year | N/A | 2025 |
Which Is Better, Luv 2 Play or Monster Mini Golf?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Luv 2 Play: $149K starting · Monster Mini Golf: $51K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Luv 2 Play
Luv 2 Play: 38 SBA loans · Monster Mini Golf: 29 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Luv 2 Play
Luv 2 Play: 2.6% · Monster Mini Golf: 17.2%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
Luv 2 Play: 24 units · Monster Mini Golf: 20 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Luv 2 Play
Luv 2 Play: 6% · Monster Mini Golf: 7%
More lender financing options
Monster Mini Golf
Luv 2 Play: 10 unique lenders · Monster Mini Golf: 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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Luv 2 Play vs Monster Mini Golf: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Luv 2 Play and Monster Mini Golf is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $51K to $776K.
Luv 2 Play has 38 SBA loans on record and Monster Mini Golf has 29. 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.
Luv 2 Play vs Monster Mini Golf, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Luv 2 Play or Monster Mini Golf?
How much does a Luv 2 Play franchise cost compared to Monster Mini Golf?
Can I finance Luv 2 Play or Monster Mini Golf with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Luv 2 Play or Monster Mini Golf?
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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