Which has more SBA loans, Surface Experts or The Flying Locksmiths?

Surface Experts has 41 SBA 7(a) historical approvals; The Flying Locksmiths has 49. The Flying Locksmiths has the deeper public lender track record, which generally translates into faster pre-qualification and broader lender familiarity.

What is the default rate for Surface Experts vs The Flying Locksmiths SBA loans?

Surface Experts's SBA default rate is 2.4%, versus 4.1% for The Flying Locksmiths. Surface Experts has the cleaner loss profile, which capital sources weigh when pricing the next deal in the brand.

When did Surface Experts and The Flying Locksmiths peak in SBA lending volume?

Surface Experts's SBA approval peak was 2025 with 9 loans; The Flying Locksmiths's peak was 2017 with 14. A more recent peak (currently Surface Experts) generally indicates fresher lender appetite and easier financing today.

Which states have the most Surface Experts and The Flying Locksmiths SBA loans?

Surface Experts leads in FL with 6 SBA-funded units; The Flying Locksmiths leads in OH with 5. The brand that matches your operating state typically closes faster because local lenders already know the unit economics.

Side by Side Comparison

Surface Experts vs The Flying Locksmiths

Q: Which is a better franchise investment, Surface Experts or The Flying Locksmiths?

Surface Experts vs The Flying Locksmiths: compare initial investment, royalty rate, unit count, SBA lending history, default rate, and PeerSense FPI score side by side. The right answer depends on your capital, target market, and risk tolerance, not on which brand ranks higher in a list.

Q: How much does a Surface Experts franchise cost compared to The Flying Locksmiths?

Surface Experts requires a total initial investment of $133K to $232K while The Flying Locksmiths requires $120K to $350K. The Flying Locksmiths has the lower minimum capital commitment. Franchise fee, royalty percentage, and advertising fees vary independently, see the comparison table below for the full FDD breakdown.

Quick Answer

Surface Experts vs The Flying Locksmiths: Surface Experts costs $133K to $232K to open; The Flying Locksmiths costs $120K to $350K. Surface Experts has 33 units, The Flying Locksmiths has 38. SBA loan history: Surface Experts = 41 loans (2.4% default); The Flying Locksmiths = 49 loans (4.1% 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.

Surface Experts vs The Flying Locksmiths: 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

The Flying Locksmiths requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($120K vs $133K for Surface Experts), a 11% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $110K for Surface Experts versus $75K for The Flying Locksmiths, The Flying Locksmiths has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 8% for Surface Experts and 8% for The Flying Locksmiths, equal royalty drag.

System Scale & Tenure

On scale, The Flying Locksmiths operates 38 units to Surface Experts's 33.

SBA Lending Profile

The Flying Locksmiths has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 49 7(a) approvals compared with 41 for Surface Experts. Surface Experts's peak SBA year was 2025 (9 loans); The Flying Locksmiths's peak was 2017 (14 loans). Surface Experts's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Surface Experts has the most SBA funded units in FL, with 6. The Flying Locksmiths leads in OH, with 5. Borrowers should pick the brand whose strongest SBA state matches their own state for warmer lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded Surface Experts deals is $157K vs $174K for The Flying Locksmiths, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.

Risk Signal

SBA default rates are 2.4% for Surface Experts and 4.1% for The Flying Locksmiths, Surface Experts has the cleaner SBA loss record by 1.7 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 66 (Strong) for Surface Experts and 54 (Moderate) for The Flying Locksmiths, giving Surface Experts the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.

Surface Experts

Other Personal

The Flying Locksmiths

Other Personal

54 7W

Health & Performance

FPI Score	66/100	54/100
Health Tier	Strong	Moderate
Confidence	N/A	N/A
Lending Trend	Declining	Declining

SBA Lending

SBA Loans	41	49
SBA Volume	–	–
Default Rate	2.4%	4.1%
Peer Tier	established	established

Investment & Costs

Total Investment	$133K to $232K	$120K to $350K
Franchise Fee	$110K	$75K
Royalty Rate	8%	8%
Ad Fund	3%	N/A
Liquid Capital	N/A	N/A
Net Worth Required	N/A	N/A

Financial Performance (Item 19)

Item 19 Status

Disclosed

System Size & Operations

Total Units	33	38
Franchised Units	33	38
Company Owned	–	–
Term Length	10 yrs	10 yrs

Brand Information

Year Founded	2008	N/A
Franchising Since	N/A	2015
Years Franchising	N/A	11 yrs
Headquarters	Spokane, FL	Pennsylvania, PA
Category	Other Personal	Other Personal
Website	surfaceexperts.com/franchise-opportunities	flyinglocksmiths.com
FDD Year	2024	2026

Which Is Better, Surface Experts or The Flying Locksmiths?

Lower upfront capital required

The Flying Locksmiths

Surface Experts: $133K starting · The Flying Locksmiths: $120K starting

More SBA lender confidence

The Flying Locksmiths

Surface Experts: 41 SBA loans · The Flying Locksmiths: 49 SBA loans

Lower SBA default rate

Surface Experts

Surface Experts: 2.4% · The Flying Locksmiths: 4.1%

Larger system & brand presence

The Flying Locksmiths

Surface Experts: 33 units · The Flying Locksmiths: 38 units

Lower ongoing royalty load

Tie

Surface Experts: 8% · The Flying Locksmiths: 8%

More lender financing options

Surface Experts

Surface Experts: 13 unique lenders · The Flying Locksmiths: 12 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.

Franchise Financing

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About These Franchises

Surface Experts

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Surface Experts vs The Flying Locksmiths: Franchise Funding Comparison

Comparing Surface Experts and The Flying Locksmiths is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $120K to $350K.

Surface Experts has 41 SBA loans on record and The Flying Locksmiths has 49. 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.

SBA Loan Guide Franchise Funding Options Best SBA Franchise Lenders All Franchises Talk to PeerSense

Surface Experts vs The Flying Locksmiths, Frequently Asked Questions

Which is a better franchise investment, Surface Experts or The Flying Locksmiths?

Compare Surface Experts vs The Flying Locksmiths franchise costs, FDD data, royalty rates, unit counts, and SBA lending history side by side above. The best franchise depends on your capital, market, and risk tolerance, not a single ranking. Use the decision matrix above to see which brand wins on each financing dimension.

How much does a Surface Experts franchise cost compared to The Flying Locksmiths?

Surface Experts requires $133K to $232K in total initial investment with a $110K franchise fee. The Flying Locksmiths requires $120K to $350K with a $75K franchise fee. All numbers come from official Franchise Disclosure Document filings.

Can I finance Surface Experts or The Flying Locksmiths with an SBA loan?

Both brands appear on the SBA Franchise Directory and have funded SBA 7(a) loans: Surface Experts has 41 SBA loans on record; The Flying Locksmiths has 49. SBA 7(a) is the most common franchise financing vehicle, offering up to $5M with 10% down. PeerSense routes your deal to lenders who have already approved the brand.

Which has a lower SBA default rate, Surface Experts or The Flying Locksmiths?

Surface Experts: 2.4% SBA default rate. The Flying Locksmiths: 4.1% SBA default rate. Lower default rates mean lenders quote tighter rates and underwrite faster.

Compare Surface Experts to other franchises Compare The Flying Locksmiths to other franchises Browse all Other Personal franchises

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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; 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 October 2, 2026LinkedIn profile About Edward Freeman