Skip to main content
Prime Rate:6.75%Fed Funds:3.64%5-Yr Treasury:3.88%10-Yr Treasury:4.25%30-Yr Treasury:4.83%30-Yr Mortgage:6.22%·Updated Mar 19, 2026Prime Rate:6.75%Fed Funds:3.64%5-Yr Treasury:3.88%10-Yr Treasury:4.25%30-Yr Treasury:4.83%30-Yr Mortgage:6.22%·Updated Mar 19, 2026
Rates
Dairy Mart

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.

Investment

$15,000 - $261,000

Franchise Fee

$17,500

Total Units

10

10 franchised

FPI Score
Medium
35

Proprietary PeerSense metric

Fair
Capital Partners
10lenders available

Active 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)

Medium Confidence
35out of 100
Fair

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

Low SBA default rate (9.1%)

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

Loan Amount$12K
Interest Rate9.5%
Term (Years)10 yr

Estimated Monthly Payment

$155

Principal & Interest only

Locations

Dairy Martunit breakdown

Total Units
N/A
Franchisee Owned
System Owned
Closed

Explore Funding for Dairy Mart

Our business financing consultants help connect you with the right lending partners. No retainers — referral fee paid at closing.

One more step: check the consent box above and type your full legal name as signature to enable submission.

No retainers · Referral fee at closing

Or get an instant analysis

Scan Your Deal Instantly
Dairy Mart