Surface Experts vs The Great Frame Up
Surface Experts vs The Great Frame Up: Surface Experts costs $133K–$232K to open; The Great Frame Up costs $114K–$209K. Surface Experts has 33 units, The Great Frame Up has 54. SBA loan history: Surface Experts = 41 loans (2.4% default); The Great Frame Up = 34 loans (14.7% default). The franchise with more SBA-funded units, lower default rate, and lower royalty load is the safer financing bet, see the comparison below.
Surface Experts vs The Great Frame Up: 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
The Great Frame Up requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($114K vs $133K for Surface Experts), a 17% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $110K for Surface Experts versus $30K for The Great Frame Up, The Great Frame Up has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 8% for Surface Experts and 6% for The Great Frame Up, giving The Great Frame Up the lighter per-unit drag on operating income.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, The Great Frame Up operates 54 units to Surface Experts's 33. The Great Frame Up has been operating 19 years (founded 2007) versus 18 for Surface Experts (founded 2008), a 1-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Surface Experts has the deeper SBA lending track record with 41 historical 7(a) approvals versus 34 for The Great Frame Up. Surface Experts's peak SBA year was 2025 (9 loans); The Great Frame Up's peak was 2005 (7 loans). Surface Experts's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Both systems concentrate the most SBA-funded units in FL. Borrowers in that state will find the deepest lender familiarity with either brand. Average SBA loan size on funded Surface Experts deals is $157K vs $127K for The Great Frame Up, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 2.4% for Surface Experts and 14.7% for The Great Frame Up, Surface Experts has the cleaner historical loss profile by 12.3 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 66 (Strong) for Surface Experts and 34 (Fair) for The Great Frame Up, giving Surface Experts the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 66/100 | 34/100 |
Health Tier | Strong | Limited |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 41 | 34 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 2.4% | 14.7% |
Peer Tier | established | established |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $133K – $232K | $114K – $209K |
Franchise Fee | $110K | $30K |
Royalty Rate | 8% | 6% |
Ad Fund | 3% | 2% |
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 | 33 | 54 |
Franchised Units | 33 | 54 |
Company-Owned | – | – |
Term Length | 10 yrs | 10 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 2008 | 2007 |
Franchising Since | N/A | 2007 |
Years Franchising | N/A | 19 yrs |
Headquarters | Spokane, FL | IN |
Category | Other Personal | Other Personal |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2024 | 2026 |
Which Is Better, Surface Experts or The Great Frame Up?
Lower upfront capital required
The Great Frame Up
Surface Experts: $133K starting · The Great Frame Up: $114K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Surface Experts
Surface Experts: 41 SBA loans · The Great Frame Up: 34 SBA loans
Lower historical default rate
Surface Experts
Surface Experts: 2.4% · The Great Frame Up: 14.7%
Larger system & brand presence
The Great Frame Up
Surface Experts: 33 units · The Great Frame Up: 54 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
The Great Frame Up
Surface Experts: 8% · The Great Frame Up: 6%
More lender financing options
The Great Frame Up
Surface Experts: 13 unique lenders · The Great Frame Up: 19 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
Surface Experts vs The Great Frame Up: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Surface Experts and The Great Frame Up is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $114K to $232K.
Both brands have active SBA lending histories, Surface Experts with 41 SBA loans and The Great Frame Up with 34. 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.
Surface Experts vs The Great Frame Up, Frequently Asked Questions
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