Commercial tenants can be credit rated tenants with corporate guarantees or the mom and pop type.The mom and pop type carry usually the most risk as a start up.Franchised stores such as Quizno's or a Subway generally there is less failure as the corporations makes sure the operator meets liquidity and certain training requirements.What usually kills mom and pop type businesses is poor planning and making the same mistakes over and over again.This is where a franchise is strong in that with their franchise fees the operator gets national and sometimes local marketing.They also get tried and true processes and systems to follow which greatly reduce them screwing up.With a mom and pop you are going with an unproven startup which if fails has very little to no assets to go after.Sometimes a mom and pop will have multiple locations and be more credible with assets and experience that are less risky tenants.When taking on a retail tenant that is unknown or not well known ask questions about how they will bring in business and their marketing plans.Many start ups believe you open up and people will find you and the business will come flooding in.This is absolutely untrue.I remember Papa Johns pizza back when I was working as a stockboy at Wal-mart as a teenager.

I also have another property in need of rehab hitting the market in the next few weeks close to the Belmont Subway- blue line stop.

Usually do subway tile but like the larger tile you used.

The light bright eat-in kitchen has all new cabinets, sink, counter-tops, ceramic tile floors and a stylish subway tile backsplash.

On the design side you can get 6 points for Public Transportation Access if the building is within ½ mile walking distance to a subway, or ¼ mile from a bus stop.

It is a lot like believing a 12" sandwich from Subway is healthy.

The most sick example I came across was in Marin- no joke, and completely by chance I met a couple, who own a subway shop next to Costco. 

I'm looking into small business now, like a franchise (subway) or small mom/pop pizza location.

It depends on where you live .If you live in Detroit and can get the locals deals then that is probably a great deal long term150k of capital is just a start.. you could also buy 2 subway sandhich shops work those they would make you 100k a year net  and after they are paid or double that.. better than any RE with less risk  and I don't work for subway

Robert, I don't do Sandwiches, unless they're from Subway.