SBA Loan Data by Industry
Default rates, loan volumes, and performance benchmarks across 99+ industries. Powered by 1,283,073+ resolved SBA loans.
What is the average SBA loan default rate?
Across 1,283,073+ resolved SBA 7(a) loans in this dataset, the average default rate is about 15.8%, measured as charge offs divided by fully resolved loans rather than the full active book. Default risk varies widely by industry: some sectors run in the low single digits while others exceed 20%, and franchised concepts frequently default at a lower rate than independents in the same industry. Pick your industry below to see its specific default rate before you apply.
PeerSense analysis of resolved SBA loan outcomes. Updated July 2026.
Showing 99 industries
Industry | NAICS | Total Loans | Default Rate | Avg Loan | Franchise Rate | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professional/Technical Services | 541 | 125,902 | 13.4% | $270K | 16.3% | -2.9% |
| Limited-Service Restaurants | 722 | 121,027 | 18.9% | $304K | 17.3% | +1.6% |
| Ambulatory Healthcare | 621 | 85,323 | 8.2% | $357K | 7.5% | +0.7% |
| Specialty Trade Contractors | 238 | 69,474 | 16.4% | $264K | 16.3% | +0.1% |
| Repair & Maintenance | 811 | 63,153 | 14.4% | $329K | 20% | -5.6% |
| Personal Care Services | 812 | 62,098 | 17.5% | $245K | 12.7% | +4.8% |
| Administrative Support | 561 | 53,535 | 17.3% | $196K | 13.7% | +3.6% |
| Food & Beverage Stores | 445 | 41,682 | 16.2% | $368K | 18.9% | -2.7% |
| Truck Transportation | 484 | 34,105 | 16.6% | $192K | 8% | +8.6% |
| Wholesale-Durable Goods | 423 | 32,821 | 17.8% | $462K | 17.7% | +0.1% |
Unlock Full Industry Analysis
89+ more industries available with detailed default rates, loan volumes, and franchise advantage data.
Get access to all 99 industries with a PeerSense subscription.
Professional/Technical Services
NAICS 541Limited-Service Restaurants
NAICS 722Ambulatory Healthcare
NAICS 621Specialty Trade Contractors
NAICS 238Repair & Maintenance
NAICS 811Personal Care Services
NAICS 812Administrative Support
NAICS 561Food & Beverage Stores
NAICS 445Truck Transportation
NAICS 484Wholesale-Durable Goods
NAICS 423Unlock Full Industry Analysis
89+ more industries with a PeerSense subscription.
Schedule Free ConsultationUnderstanding SBA Loan Default Rates by Industry
SBA loan default rates vary significantly by industry. Our database tracks over 1.2 million resolved SBA loans across every major industry sector, giving you data-driven insights into which industries perform best and where the real risks are. Pair this data with our SBA Lender Directory to find lenders who specialize in your target industry.
The Franchise Advantage column shows how franchise businesses compare to independent operators in the same industry. A positive number means franchise businesses default less often, while a negative number means independents actually perform better in that sector. Explore individual franchise brands and their FPI scores in our Franchise Directory with 5,100+ brands.
How We Calculate Default Rates
Default rates are calculated using only resolved SBA loans (Paid in Full or Charged Off). Active loans, cancelled loans, and exempt loans are excluded to provide accurate historical performance data. This methodology ensures the numbers reflect actual outcomes, not projections.
Using This Data
Whether you're a business buyer evaluating an acquisition, a lender assessing risk, or a franchise investor comparing opportunities, industry-level SBA data provides critical context. Click any industry above to see detailed benchmarks, top lenders, and franchise comparisons. If you're looking to buy an existing business, check our data-backed marketplace.
Use this data
Free to cite. Just link back to PeerSense.
This research is free to use in your articles, reports and posts, provided you credit PeerSense with a link back to this page. It is licensed under Creative Commons BY 4.0. Copy any format below, or grab the embeddable stat. See the full data usage policy.
Source: PeerSense SBA Industry Benchmarks, https://peersense.com/industry-data
A plain sentence you can drop into a story.
PeerSense SBA Industry Benchmarks track default rates, average loan size and top lenders across 100 plus NAICS sectors, drawn from more than 2.1 million SBA loan outcomes (PeerSense, 2026).
Paste into your post. The link back is built in.
Source: <a href="https://peersense.com/industry-data">PeerSense SBA Industry Benchmarks</a> (2026).
For papers, reports and reference lists.
PeerSense. (2026). SBA Loan Default Rates by Industry and Franchise. Retrieved from https://peersense.com/industry-data
Embed this stat on your site
Paste this snippet anywhere. It carries the finding and a link back to PeerSense, so it works as a source credit and a citation in one.
Preview
SBA default rates by industry, from 2.1M plus loan outcomes.100 plus NAICS sectors with franchise vs independent splits.Source: PeerSense →
Snippet
<blockquote style="max-width:440px;margin:1rem 0;padding:16px 20px;border-left:4px solid #b5893a;background:#f8fafc;font-family:system-ui,sans-serif;"><strong style="display:block;font-size:16px;color:#0f172a;">SBA default rates by industry, from 2.1M plus loan outcomes.</strong><span style="display:block;margin-top:4px;font-size:14px;color:#475569;">100 plus NAICS sectors with franchise vs independent splits.</span><a href="https://peersense.com/industry-data" style="display:inline-block;margin-top:8px;font-size:13px;color:#b5893a;text-decoration:none;">Source: PeerSense →</a></blockquote>
Using This Data to Plan a Loan?
We route borrowers with the same default data you see here. Tell us your industry and deal size and we will map the lenders with the strongest funding record for your profile. Built for well qualified borrowers with committed equity.
SBA Business Financing: Response within 24–48 hours. No obligation.