Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory vs Sub Zero Ice Cream Yogurtsu
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory vs Sub Zero Ice Cream Yogurtsu: Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory costs $104K to $530K to open; Sub Zero Ice Cream Yogurtsu costs $20K to $410K. Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory has 147 units, Sub Zero Ice Cream Yogurtsu has 11. SBA loan history: Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory = 173 loans (16.8% default); Sub Zero Ice Cream Yogurtsu = 16 loans (12.5% 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.
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory vs Sub Zero Ice Cream Yogurtsu: 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
Sub Zero Ice Cream Yogurtsu requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($20K vs $104K for Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory), a 420% spread.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory operates 147 units to Sub Zero Ice Cream Yogurtsu's 11, roughly 13× the system size.
SBA Lending Profile
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 173 7(a) approvals compared with 16 for Sub Zero Ice Cream Yogurtsu.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 16.8% for Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory and 12.5% for Sub Zero Ice Cream Yogurtsu, Sub Zero Ice Cream Yogurtsu has the cleaner SBA loss record by 4.3 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 51 (Moderate) for Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory and 47 (Fair) for Sub Zero Ice Cream Yogurtsu, giving Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 51/100 | 47/100 |
Health Tier | Moderate | Fair |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 173 | 16 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 16.8% | 12.5% |
Peer Tier | major | growing |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $104K to $530K | $20K to $410K |
Franchise Fee | $35K | N/A |
Royalty Rate | 5% | N/A |
Ad Fund | 2% | N/A |
Liquid Capital | $70K | N/A |
Net Worth Required | $250K | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 147 | 11 |
Franchised Units | 147 | 11 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | 10 yrs | N/A |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1981 | N/A |
Franchising Since | 1982 | N/A |
Years Franchising | 44 yrs | N/A |
Headquarters | N/A | SIMI VALLEY, CA |
Category | Confectionery | Confectionery |
Website | ||
FDD Year | N/A | N/A |
Which Is Better, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory or Sub Zero Ice Cream Yogurtsu?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory: $104K starting · Sub Zero Ice Cream Yogurtsu: $20K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory: 173 SBA loans · Sub Zero Ice Cream Yogurtsu: 16 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Sub Zero Ice Cream Yogurtsu
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory: 16.8% · Sub Zero Ice Cream Yogurtsu: 12.5%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory: 147 units · Sub Zero Ice Cream Yogurtsu: 11 units
More lender financing options
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory: 71 unique lenders · Sub Zero Ice Cream Yogurtsu: 13 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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Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory vs Sub Zero Ice Cream Yogurtsu: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory and Sub Zero Ice Cream Yogurtsu is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $20K to $530K.
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory has 173 SBA loans on record and Sub Zero Ice Cream Yogurtsu has 16. 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.
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory vs Sub Zero Ice Cream Yogurtsu, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory or Sub Zero Ice Cream Yogurtsu?
How much does a Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory franchise cost compared to Sub Zero Ice Cream Yogurtsu?
Can I finance Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory or Sub Zero Ice Cream Yogurtsu with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory or Sub Zero Ice Cream Yogurtsu?
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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