Wingstop
Wingstop
Loan failure rate: 2.3%
Number of loans: 88
Number of failed loans: 2

Headquartered in Richardson, Texas, Wingstop restaurant was founded in 1994 and started franchising in 1997. Today, more than 480 restaurants are open and over 100 more are in the works.

The chain, which bills itself as Wing Experts, sells nine different flavors of chicken wings at its aviation-themed restaurants. Former football superstar Troy Aikman is the company's national spokesperson.

So far, the franchises have sold more than two billion chicken wings.

Between 2005 and 2010, the SBA backed 88 loans for Wingstop franchisees, of which only two loans failed.

The cost of setting up a Wingstop restaurant is between $263,550 and $616,946. A potential franchisee must have a net worth of $400,000, with at least $200,000 of it in cash.


Source: Loan data is from the Small Business Administration, covering loans made from October 2005 through September 2010. Only those franchises for which the SBA backed 70 or more loans were included. A loan was counted as "failed" if the franchisor stopped repaying the loan and the SBA had to purchase -- or take over -- the loan.
Last updated June 16 2011: 12:24 PM ET

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