Thinking about buying a franchise?
Sourced verdicts from FDD Item 20 filings — which brands are proven, which are quietly rotting, and which are simply too new for anyone to honestly judge.
Real filings, every number cited
Verdicts marked ✓ VERIFIED come from the brand's own FDD Item 20; every page links to the source document.
How we rate →
Federal loan records, FOIA-sourced
SBA 7(a)/504 outcomes since 1991 show how franchisees' loans actually ended — data no franchisor publishes.
About the loan data →
Not Disclosed — never estimated
When a brand doesn't disclose a number, we say so. Sample data is labelled ◆ SAMPLE and never citable.
Our disclosure rules →
Enough units and history to judge — and the record is good. Led by Go Painting.
Proven records you can actually afford to open. Led by Go Painting.
Weak records or active distress. Look hard before you sign. Most concerning: Pet Evolution (Regional Development Offering).
The verdict board
All sectors · 1361 brands · ranked by verdict
| # | Brand | Verdict | 3-yr units | Net | Distress |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Go Painting✓ VERIFIEDOther | Strong | +1300% | — | |
| 02 | Set the Stage✓ VERIFIEDOther | Strong | +850% | — | |
| 03 | Website Closers✓ VERIFIEDBusiness Services | Strong | +300% | — | |
| 04 | THE NOW✓ VERIFIEDBeauty & Personal Care | Strong | +137% | — | |
| 05 | Art of Drawers✓ VERIFIEDOther | Strong | +800% | — | |
| 06 | CELEBREE SCHOOLS✓ VERIFIEDOther | Strong | +57% | — | |
| 07 | COOL VU GLASS AND SURFACE SOLUTIONS✓ VERIFIEDHome Services | Strong | +8300% | — | |
| 08 | LAYNE'S CHICKEN FINGERS✓ VERIFIEDFood & Dining | Strong | +208% | — | |
| 09 | FLEET FEET, FLEET FEET TRIATHLETE✓ VERIFIEDRetail & Products | Strong | +40% | — | |
| 10 | Take 5✓ VERIFIEDAutomotive | Strong | +42% | — |
Verdicts are computed from each brand's own FDD Item 20 — unit growth, exit quality, churn — with an evidence gate: young or tiny systems are "too new to judge," not "healthy." Each brand page links to its source filing and shows the raw outlet tables.
A broker is paid by the franchisor to place you. An independent CPA is paid by you — and the job is pressure-testing the numbers, including talking you out of a bad deal.
Talk to an independent CPA before you buy →Weekly: which franchise systems are showing bankruptcy, litigation, and closure signals — sourced, no spin.
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