Zoup!
Franchising since 1998 · 58 locations
The total investment to open a Zoup! franchise ranges from $50,000 - $479,000. The initial franchise fee is $25,000. Ongoing royalties are 6% plus a 3% advertising fee. Zoup! currently operates 58 locations (58 franchised). The top SBA 7(a) lenders for Zoup! are The Huntington National Bank, Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company and Stearns Bank. PeerSense FPI health score: 26/100.
$50,000 - $479,000
$25,000
58
58 franchised
Proprietary PeerSense metric
LimitedActive capital sources verified for Zoup! financing
SBA
7(a) Eligible
21d
Avg Funding
P+2.25%
Best Rate
No retainers · Referral fee at closing
FPI Score Breakdown
Established (25-99 loans)
SBA Lending Performance
SBA Default Rate
23.9%
11 of 46 loans charged off
SBA Loans
46
Total Volume
$14.1M
Active Lenders
15
States
14
Top SBA Lenders for Zoup!
What is the Zoup! franchise?
Zoup, headquartered in Maumee, Ohio, represents a distinctive and increasingly relevant presence within the highly competitive Limited-Service Restaurant (LSR) category, meticulously carving out a specialized niche with its singular focus on high-quality, flavorful soups, complemented by an array of fresh salads and sandwiches. The brand’s foundational premise, from its conceptualization, has been to deliver warmth, comfort, and genuinely nutritious meal options to a discerning and health-conscious clientele. The journey of the Zoup franchise from its inception, though specific founding dates are not provided, to its current impressive footprint of 39 total units, reflects a deliberate and strategic approach to offering a profoundly differentiated dining experience within a market that is often densely populated with more conventional fast-casual and quick-service establishments. This profound specialization allows the Zoup franchise to effectively appeal to a broad spectrum of consumers who are actively seeking healthier, more wholesome, and yet still convenient alternatives for their lunch and dinner selections, thereby strategically positioning itself as a premier, go-to destination for comforting meals that are prepared with an evident commitment to care and quality. The Zoup franchise model is designed to provide a consistently welcoming and inviting atmosphere, where the highlight is undoubtedly the daily rotation of a diverse selection of soup recipes. These offerings range from deeply familiar and comforting classic broths to excitingly exotic international flavors, a strategy that ensures the menu remains perpetually engaging, fresh, and encourages a high frequency of repeat visits from a loyal customer base. The remarkable emphasis on variety, often featuring a dozen or more distinct and rotating daily options, guarantees that each and every visit to a Zoup
FPI Score
26/100
SBA Default Rate
23.9%
Active Lenders
15
Key Highlights
Franchise Financing Resources
Data Insights
Key performance metrics for Zoup! based on SBA lending data
SBA Default Rate
23.9%
11 of 46 loans charged off
SBA Loan Volume
46 loans
Across 15 lenders
Lender Diversity
15 lenders
Avg 3.1 loans per lender
Investment Tier
Mid-range investment
$50,000 – $479,000 total
Zoup! — 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
2016
15 approvals — best year on record for Zoup!.
Top SBA State
Ohio
21 SBA-financed Zoup! locations — the densest operator footprint.
Average Loan Size
$300K
Median $350K — use as a sizing anchor when modeling your own $Zoup! unit.
Lender Concentration
56.8%
Concentrated
Share of Zoup! approvals captured by the top 3 SBA lenders.
Zoup!'s SBA lending pipeline peaked in 2016 (15 approvals). The last five fiscal years account for 11% of cumulative volume ($1.6M approved). Operator density is highest in Ohio with 21 SBA-financed locations. Average funded ticket sits at $300K, with the median at $350K. Lender mix is concentrated: the top three SBA lenders account for 56.8% of approvals — credit decisions concentrate with a small group of incumbents.
Payment Estimator
Estimated Monthly Payment
$518
Principal & Interest only
Locations
Zoup! — unit breakdown
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