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
El Chico Cafe

El Chico Cafe

Franchising since 1940 · 4 locations

The initial franchise fee is $35,000. Ongoing royalties are 5%. El Chico Cafe currently operates 4 locations (4 franchised). The top SBA 7(a) lenders for El Chico Cafe are JPMorgan Chase Bank, Readycap Lending, LLC and Newtek Small Business Finance, Inc.. PeerSense FPI health score: 37/100.

Franchise Fee

$35,000

Total Units

4

4 franchised

FPI Score
Low
37

Proprietary PeerSense metric

Fair
Capital Partners
2lenders available

Active capital sources verified for El Chico Cafe financing

SBA

7(a) Eligible

21d

Avg Funding

P+2.25%

Best Rate

No retainers · Referral fee at closing

FPI Score Breakdown

Emerging (3-9 loans)

Limited Data
37out of 100
Fair

SBA Lending Performance

SBA Default Rate

0.0%

0 of 3 loans charged off

SBA Loans

3

Total Volume

$2.2M

Active Lenders

2

States

2

Top SBA Lenders for El Chico Cafe

What is the El Chico Cafe franchise?

El Chico Cafe represents a distinctive and enduring presence within the full-service restaurant landscape, offering an established model for culinary entrepreneurship that appeals to a specific demographic of diners seeking a particular experience. Headquartered in None, TX, this brand operates with a focused approach to its market, cultivating a unique identity within a highly competitive sector that demands consistent quality and operational excellence. The El Chico Cafe franchise provides an opportunity for aspiring business owners to engage with a segment of the dining public that values a particular atmosphere, quality ingredients, and a consistently enjoyable menu, thereby contributing to the rich and diverse tapestry of food service options available across various communities throughout the nation. The identity of the El Chico Cafe franchise is built upon principles that resonate with diners seeking a specific ambiance, fresh culinary offerings, and a consistently delightful service experience. A full-service restaurant operation like the El Chico Cafe franchise navigates a dynamic consumer environment, characterized by continuously evolving tastes, dietary preferences, and heightened expectations for service excellence and value. Potential franchisees exploring the El Chico Cafe franchise are invited to consider the foundational aspects of its operational philosophy and its strategic positioning within its chosen culinary niche, which is designed to foster repeat business and strong local engagement through a memorable brand identity. The brand maintains a specific posture in the competitive full-service restaurant arena, aiming to cater to its clientele with unwavering consistency, culinary dedication, and a commitment to a welcoming and engaging ambiance that encourages social interaction. The operational footprint of the El Chico Cafe franchise, though currently consisting of two total units, signifies a deliberate and measured expansion strategy, potentially prioritizing the meticulous refinement of the core offering and ensuring robust operational success at

FPI Score

37/100

SBA Default Rate

0.0%

Active Lenders

2

Key Highlights

Low SBA default rate (0.0%)

Data Insights

Key performance metrics for El Chico Cafe based on SBA lending data

SBA Default Rate

0.0%

0 of 3 loans charged off

SBA Loan Volume

3 loans

Across 2 lenders

Lender Diversity

2 lenders

Avg 1.5 loans per lender

El Chico Cafe — 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

2013

2 approvals — best year on record for El Chico Cafe.

Top SBA State

Texas

3 SBA-financed El Chico Cafe locations — the densest operator footprint.

Average Loan Size

$716K

Median $523K — use as a sizing anchor when modeling your own $El Chico Cafe unit.

Lender Concentration

80%

Concentrated

Share of El Chico Cafe approvals captured by the top 3 SBA lenders.

El Chico Cafe's SBA lending pipeline peaked in 2013 (2 approvals). The last five fiscal years account for 33% of cumulative volume ($901K approved). Operator density is highest in Texas with 3 SBA-financed locations. Average funded ticket sits at $716K, with the median at $523K. Lender mix is concentrated: the top three SBA lenders account for 80% of approvals — credit decisions concentrate with a small group of incumbents.

Payment Estimator

Loan Amount$400K
Interest Rate9.5%
Term (Years)10 yr

Estimated Monthly Payment

$5,176

Principal & Interest only

Locations

El Chico Cafeunit breakdown

Total Units
N/A
Franchisee Owned
System Owned
Closed

Explore Funding for El Chico Cafe

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
El Chico Cafe