FDD-based startup cost, franchise fee, revenue, profit, SBA default rate, and investment risk signals for Surface Experts.
Based on 2025 FDD · 10 filings in corpus
Cost and profit at a glance
Based on FDDIQ's FDD corpus, a Surface Experts franchise shows an estimated initial investment of $140K – $227K. Reported owner economics show $51K. Use the links below to compare the cost, revenue, SBA loan history, and ROI against other franchises before you request the full FDD.
Quick fee read: $75K franchise fee · 10% royalty/ad burden. These figures are directional screening data, not a substitute for reading the current FDD and speaking with existing operators.
Surface Experts requires a total initial investment of $140K to $227K (midpoint approximately $184K), with an initial franchise fee of $75K. The ongoing fee burden is 10% (8% royalty plus 2% advertising fund). This is below the industry average of approximately 18.1%, leaving more margin for the operator.
According to Item 19 of the 2025 FDD, the median revenue for Surface Experts locations is $421K. The implied franchisee EBITDA is approximately $51K, based on the margin assumptions disclosed in the FDD. The estimated cash-on-cash return is 27.5% with a payback period of approximately 3.6 years.
Surface Experts operates approximately 13 franchised units. The SBA 7(a) loan default rate of 16.7% is above the franchise industry average of approximately 3.8%, suggesting elevated financial risk for franchisees relying on debt financing.
Prospective franchisees should verify all figures against the most recent FDD, conduct validation calls with multiple existing franchisees, and consult with a franchise attorney before signing any agreement.
Analysis based on 2025 FDD filing. FDDIQ Editorial Team · Methodology
Estimated using sector-average margins. Actual franchise economics vary by location, operator, and market conditions.
Industry averages based on FranchiseIQ corpus benchmarks. ▲ = better than avg, ▼ = worse.
Real lending data from SBA 7(a) loans (2019-2026). 42 loans across 19 states.
Source: SBA 7(a) loan data via FOIA. Default rate = charged-off loans / total originated. Industry avg default rate ~7.2%.
Common questions buyers ask about Surface Experts, answered from FDD and SBA data.
The total initial investment for a Surface Experts franchise ranges from $140K to $227K, according to their Franchise Disclosure Document.
Surface Experts charges a 8% royalty fee on gross sales.
The initial franchise fee for Surface Experts is $75,000.
There are approximately 13 Surface Experts franchise locations as of 2023.
The median revenue for a Surface Experts franchise is $421K, with a cash-on-cash return of 27.5%, according to FDD Item 19 data.
Surface Experts has an SBA loan default rate of 16.7% based on SBA 7(a) loan data.
Whether a Surface Experts franchise is worth it depends on total startup cost, royalty burden, FDD Item 19 economics, SBA loan performance, and local operator execution. FDDIQ compares these signals against similar franchises so buyers can screen the opportunity before paying for diligence.
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