Planet Beach vs Snap Fitness
Planet Beach vs Snap Fitness: Planet Beach costs $177K to $351K to open; Snap Fitness costs $431K to $1.1M. Planet Beach has 249 units, Snap Fitness has 228. SBA loan history: Planet Beach = 318 loans (46.9% default); Snap Fitness = 323 loans (8.4% 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.
Planet Beach vs Snap Fitness: 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
Planet Beach requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($177K vs $431K for Snap Fitness), a 59% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $70K for Planet Beach versus $40K for Snap Fitness, Snap Fitness has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 6% for Planet Beach and 8% for Snap Fitness, giving Planet Beach the lighter per-unit drag on operating income.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Planet Beach operates 249 units to Snap Fitness's 228. Planet Beach has been operating 34 years (founded 1992) versus 23 for Snap Fitness (founded 2003), a 11-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Snap Fitness has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 323 7(a) approvals compared with 318 for Planet Beach.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 46.9% for Planet Beach and 8.4% for Snap Fitness, Snap Fitness has the cleaner SBA loss record by 38.5 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 31 (Fair) for Planet Beach and 59 (Moderate) for Snap Fitness, giving Snap Fitness the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 31/100 | 59/100 |
Health Tier | Limited | Moderate |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 318 | 323 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 46.9% | 8.4% |
Peer Tier | major | major |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $177K to $351K | $431K to $1.1M |
Franchise Fee | $70K | $40K |
Royalty Rate | 6% | 8% |
Ad Fund | N/A | 3% |
Liquid Capital | $80K | $100K |
Net Worth Required | $300K | $250K |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Not Disclosed | Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 249 | 228 |
Franchised Units | 249 | 228 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | N/A | 10 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1992 | 2003 |
Franchising Since | 1960 | 2004 |
Years Franchising | 66 yrs | 22 yrs |
Headquarters | N/A | Woodbury, MN |
Category | Fitness | Fitness |
Website | ||
FDD Year | N/A | 2026 |
Which Is Better, Planet Beach or Snap Fitness?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Planet Beach: $177K starting · Snap Fitness: $431K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Snap Fitness
Planet Beach: 318 SBA loans · Snap Fitness: 323 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Snap Fitness
Planet Beach: 46.9% · Snap Fitness: 8.4%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
Planet Beach: 249 units · Snap Fitness: 228 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Planet Beach
Planet Beach: 6% · Snap Fitness: 8%
More lender financing options
Snap Fitness
Planet Beach: 57 unique lenders · Snap Fitness: 148 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.
Need Funding for Planet Beach or Snap Fitness?
PeerSense connects you with 500+ SBA lenders and capital sources. Our referral fee is established upfront and paid at closing.
SBA Lenders & Capital Sources
Retainers or Consulting Fees
10% Down Franchise Loans
About These Franchises
Planet Beach vs Snap Fitness: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Planet Beach and Snap Fitness is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $177K to $1.1M.
Planet Beach has 318 SBA loans on record and Snap Fitness has 323. 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.
Planet Beach vs Snap Fitness, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Planet Beach or Snap Fitness?
How much does a Planet Beach franchise cost compared to Snap Fitness?
Can I finance Planet Beach or Snap Fitness with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Planet Beach or Snap Fitness?
Talk to PeerSense
Tell us which brand and your budget. We source capital from lenders who have already funded deals in these systems.
Franchise / SBA 7(a): The desk will reach out. No obligation.
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