Dairy Mart
Franchising since 2002 · 10 locations
The total investment to open a Dairy Mart franchise ranges from $15,000 - $261,000. The initial franchise fee is $17,500. Ongoing royalties are 7%. Dairy Mart currently operates 10 locations (10 franchised). The top SBA 7(a) lenders for Dairy Mart are Bank of America, Wachovia SBA Lending, Inc. and Republic Bank & Trust Company. PeerSense FPI health score: 35/100.
$15,000 - $261,000
$17,500
10
10 franchised
Proprietary PeerSense metric
FairActive capital sources verified for Dairy Mart financing
SBA
7(a) Eligible
21d
Avg Funding
P+2.25%
Best Rate
No retainers · Referral fee at closing
FPI Score Breakdown
Growing (10-24 loans)
SBA Lending Performance
SBA Default Rate
9.1%
1 of 11 loans charged off
SBA Loans
11
Total Volume
$1.5M
Active Lenders
10
States
8
Top SBA Lenders for Dairy Mart
What is the Dairy Mart franchise?
The Dairy Mart franchise represents an entry point into the essential convenience retail sector, offering a foundational business model centered around everyday consumer needs. Operating with a current footprint of 9 units, the Dairy Mart brand establishes its presence within local markets, aiming to fulfill the immediate demands of communities for quick access to a variety of products and services. The concept, rooted in None, KY, suggests a focus on localized operations, potentially catering to specific regional preferences and cultivating a neighborhood-centric approach to retail. This localized strategy allows for a degree of adaptability in product assortment and service offerings, enabling individual Dairy Mart locations to resonate effectively with their immediate customer base. The market position of the Dairy Mart franchise is inherently tied to the consistent demand for convenience, a sector characterized by its resilience and pervasiveness across diverse economic landscapes. Consumers consistently seek accessible solutions for snacks, beverages, essential groceries, and other daily necessities, positioning the Dairy Mart brand within a category of enduring utility. The operational scale of 9 units indicates a focused development approach, possibly emphasizing organic growth and the establishment of robust individual locations rather than rapid, widespread expansion. This measured pace can contribute to a more hands-on approach to franchisee support and operational refinement within the existing network of Dairy Mart establishments. The intrinsic value proposition of a Dairy Mart franchise lies in its capacity to serve as a reliable local hub, providing a consistent stream of customer traffic driven by daily routines and spontaneous purchasing decisions. The brand’s identity is built upon the promise of convenience and accessibility, principles that remain paramount in the competitive retail environment. This emphasis on local service delivery is a cornerstone of the Dairy Mart franchise
FPI Score
35/100
SBA Default Rate
9.1%
Active Lenders
10
Key Highlights
Franchise Financing Resources
Data Insights
Key performance metrics for Dairy Mart based on SBA lending data
SBA Default Rate
9.1%
1 of 11 loans charged off
SBA Loan Volume
11 loans
Across 10 lenders
Lender Diversity
10 lenders
Avg 1.1 loans per lender
Investment Tier
Mid-range investment
$15,000 – $261,000 total
Dairy Mart — Deep SBA Data
Brand-specific metrics derived directly from SBA 7(a) approval records — peak lending year, leading state, average loan size, and lender concentration. PeerSense computes these per brand so capital advisors and prospective franchisees can benchmark this opportunity against the rest of the franchise universe.
Peak SBA Year
2002
2 approvals — best year on record for Dairy Mart.
Top SBA State
Massachusetts
2 SBA-financed Dairy Mart locations — the densest operator footprint.
Average Loan Size
$134K
Median $92K — use as a sizing anchor when modeling your own $Dairy Mart unit.
Lender Concentration
36.4%
Moderately Spread
Share of Dairy Mart approvals captured by the top 3 SBA lenders.
Dairy Mart's SBA lending pipeline peaked in 2002 (2 approvals). Operator density is highest in Massachusetts with 2 SBA-financed locations. Average funded ticket sits at $134K, with the median at $92K. Lender mix is moderately spread: the top three SBA lenders account for 36.4% of approvals — meaningful choice exists but specific lenders carry the brand.
Payment Estimator
Estimated Monthly Payment
$155
Principal & Interest only
Locations
Dairy Mart — unit breakdown
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