All the best FIC are from small operations (except for DEFTS). I'm sure there are good instructors at the big colleges, but for the very best in training. I know where I'd be putting my money if I had to do it again.
When I've looked at FI's c.v's etc seeing who trained them makes a big difference. There are a few names where I always knew the FI would be alright if they'd survived the course with XXXXX or YYYYY. What would be even more telling was seeing who did their test. There are one or two names that guarantee that the newly minted FI is likely to be alright.