Radio Shack vs Wireless Toyz
Radio Shack vs Wireless Toyz: Radio Shack costs $45K–$225K to open; Wireless Toyz costs $122K–$314K. Radio Shack has 133 units, Wireless Toyz has 19. SBA loan history: Radio Shack = 187 loans (17.6% default); Wireless Toyz = 42 loans (50.0% default). The franchise with more SBA-funded units, lower default rate, and lower royalty load is the safer financing bet, see the comparison below.
Radio Shack vs Wireless Toyz: Capital, Scale & Lending Analysis
Data-driven differentiation pulled from 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
Radio Shack requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($45K vs $122K for Wireless Toyz), a 63% spread.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Radio Shack operates 133 units to Wireless Toyz's 19, roughly 7× the system size. Radio Shack has been operating 105 years (founded 1921) versus 31 for Wireless Toyz (founded 1995), a 74-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Radio Shack has the deeper SBA lending track record with 187 historical 7(a) approvals versus 42 for Wireless Toyz. Radio Shack's peak SBA year was 2000 (15 loans); Wireless Toyz's peak was 2005 (20 loans). Wireless Toyz's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Geographically, Radio Shack concentrates in MO (13 SBA-funded units) while Wireless Toyz leads in MI (10). Pick the brand whose strongest state matches yours for warmest lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded Radio Shack deals is $117K vs $217K for Wireless Toyz, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 17.6% for Radio Shack and 50.0% for Wireless Toyz, Radio Shack has the cleaner historical loss profile by 32.4 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 29 (Fair) for Radio Shack and 23 (Fair) for Wireless Toyz, giving Radio Shack the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 29/100 | 23/100 |
Health Tier | Limited | Limited |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 187 | 42 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 17.6% | 50.0% |
Peer Tier | major | established |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $45K – $225K | $122K – $314K |
Franchise Fee | $48K | N/A |
Royalty Rate | 5% | N/A |
Ad Fund | N/A | N/A |
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 | 133 | 19 |
Franchised Units | 133 | 19 |
Company-Owned | – | – |
Term Length | N/A | N/A |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1921 | 1995 |
Franchising Since | N/A | N/A |
Years Franchising | N/A | N/A |
Headquarters | MAYSVILLE, KY | Belleville, MI |
Category | Radio, Television, | Radio, Television, |
Website | ||
FDD Year | N/A | N/A |
Which Is Better, Radio Shack or Wireless Toyz?
Lower upfront capital required
Radio Shack
Radio Shack: $45K starting · Wireless Toyz: $122K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Radio Shack
Radio Shack: 187 SBA loans · Wireless Toyz: 42 SBA loans
Lower historical default rate
Radio Shack
Radio Shack: 17.6% · Wireless Toyz: 50.0%
Larger system & brand presence
Radio Shack
Radio Shack: 133 units · Wireless Toyz: 19 units
More lender financing options
Radio Shack
Radio Shack: 106 unique lenders · Wireless Toyz: 9 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
Radio Shack vs Wireless Toyz: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Radio Shack and Wireless Toyz is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $45K to $314K.
Both brands have active SBA lending histories, Radio Shack with 187 SBA loans and Wireless Toyz with 42. This means proven lender acceptance and established underwriting paths for franchise buyers.
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.
Radio Shack vs Wireless Toyz, Frequently Asked Questions
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