SBA 7(a) loan outcomes · FY2010–FY2019 cohort · Statuses as of June 30, 2026 · Last updated August 17, 2026

Used Merchandise Stores Franchise Failure Rates: SBA Loan Defaults for 3 Brands

Used Merchandise Stores franchises charged off 9.7% of SBA 7(a) loans approved FY2010–FY2019, versus 10.2% for all franchises and 8.0% for all SBA borrowers. This page tracks 3 brands: default rates ranged from Plato's Closet (1.2%) to Uptown Cheapskate (11.5%). Source: U.S. SBA FOIA dataset, statuses as of June 30, 2026.

How do Used Merchandise Stores franchises perform on SBA loans?

Across the 3 Used Merchandise Stores brands tracked here, 145 SBA 7(a) loans were approved between fiscal 2010 and 2019 and 6 were charged off — a pooled rate of 4.1% for these brands against a 9.7% benchmark for all Used Merchandise Stores franchise loans. 0 brands with 20+ loans ran at more than twice the industry benchmark; 0 brands with 40+ loans recorded zero defaults. Statuses as of June 30, 2026.

• Brands tracked3
• SBA 7(a) loans, FY2010–2019145
• Charged off6
• Pooled rate, these brands4.1%
• Used Merchandise Stores benchmark (all franchise loans)9.7%
• All-franchise benchmark10.2%
• All SBA borrowers8.0%
• Lowest ratePlato's Closet · 1.2%
• Highest rateUptown Cheapskate · 11.5%

Which Used Merchandise Stores franchise brands have the highest and lowest SBA default rates?

Every Used Merchandise Stores brand with at least five resolved SBA 7(a) loans, sorted from highest to lowest default rate. Click a column heading to re-sort; use the filter to find a brand.

* Small sample (5–19 loans): rate shown for completeness; treat as a diligence flag, not a verdict. Loans since 2020 and early charge-offs are counts only — that cohort is too young for a rate.