Quiznos vs Smoothie King
Quiznos vs Smoothie King: Quiznos costs $37K to $269K to open; Smoothie King costs $312K to $1.4M. Quiznos has 1,924 units, Smoothie King has 529. SBA loan history: Quiznos = 2,764 loans (24.0% default); Smoothie King = 707 loans (8.2% 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.
Quiznos vs Smoothie King: 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
Quiznos requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($37K vs $312K for Smoothie King), a 88% spread. Ongoing royalty load is 5% for Quiznos and 6% for Smoothie King, giving Quiznos the lighter per-unit drag on operating income.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Quiznos operates 1,924 units to Smoothie King's 529, roughly 4× the system size. Smoothie King has been operating 53 years (founded 1973) versus 45 for Quiznos (founded 1981), a 8-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Quiznos has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 2,764 7(a) approvals compared with 707 for Smoothie King. Quiznos's peak SBA year was 2004 (539 loans); Smoothie King's peak was 2016 (43 loans). Smoothie King'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 Quiznos deals is $152K vs $272K for Smoothie King, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 24.0% for Quiznos and 8.2% for Smoothie King, Smoothie King has the cleaner SBA loss record by 15.8 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 41 (Fair) for Quiznos and 68 (Strong) for Smoothie King, giving Smoothie King the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 41/100 | 68/100 |
Health Tier | Fair | Strong |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 2,764 | 707 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 24.0% | 8.2% |
Peer Tier | major | major |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $37K to $269K | $312K to $1.4M |
Franchise Fee | N/A | $30K |
Royalty Rate | 5% | 6% |
Ad Fund | N/A | 2% |
Liquid Capital | N/A | $100K |
Net Worth Required | N/A | $300K |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Not Disclosed | Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 1,924 | 529 |
Franchised Units | 1,924 | 529 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | N/A | 10 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1981 | 1973 |
Franchising Since | N/A | 1960 |
Years Franchising | N/A | 66 yrs |
Headquarters | Tukwila, WA | Dallas, TX |
Category | Limited-Service Restaurants | Limited-Service Restaurants |
Website | ||
FDD Year | N/A | 2025 |
Which Is Better, Quiznos or Smoothie King?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Quiznos: $37K starting · Smoothie King: $312K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Quiznos
Quiznos: 2,764 SBA loans · Smoothie King: 707 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Smoothie King
Quiznos: 24.0% · Smoothie King: 8.2%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
Quiznos: 1,924 units · Smoothie King: 529 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Quiznos
Quiznos: 5% · Smoothie King: 6%
More lender financing options
Quiznos
Quiznos: 378 unique lenders · Smoothie King: 169 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
Quiznos vs Smoothie King: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Quiznos and Smoothie King is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $37K to $1.4M.
Quiznos has 2,764 SBA loans on record and Smoothie King has 707. 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.
Quiznos vs Smoothie King, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Quiznos or Smoothie King?
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Which has a lower SBA default rate, Quiznos or Smoothie King?
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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