Data

The numbers behind our guides

Everything we use to compare franchises with starting your own business, in tables you can search and check. Each figure links to where it came from, and you are welcome to cite them.

• Franchise costs by brandInitial investment, royalties, franchisee revenue and closures for every brand our guides compare, from each brand's disclosure document.
• Franchise closure ratesHow many franchised outlets closed in a year, brand by brand, calculated from FDD Item 20.
• Small business loan default ratesHow often SBA 7(a) loans were written off, for hundreds of industries, compared with all industries. Includes a free download.
• How we score riskThe eight factors behind each guide's Risk Meter and the exact thresholds.
• Sources and methodologyHow we find and check every number, and every source we use.