Franchise FAQ

how to apply for a franchise loan

by Prof. Wilfred Schiller III Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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How do you qualify for a franchise loan?

How Do You Qualify for Franchise Financing?Acceptable personal credit history. Your personal credit score reflects whether you are reliable as a borrower. ... Required down payment. Almost any kind of SBA or conventional business loan will require a down payment.Financial information. ... Franchise information.

Is it hard to get a loan for a franchise?

Getting approved for franchise financing can be difficult, particularly if you need startup funds, you need funding but have bad credit, or your franchise has been open for less than a year.

What credit score is needed for a franchise?

680 or higherSome franchise requirements to take into consideration may include: Credit score. Minimum credit scores vary by franchisor, but most consider a grade of 680 or higher as ideal.

Can you use a business loan to buy a franchise?

SBA 7(a) loans for franchises With amounts available up to $5 million, business owners can use it as a loan to start a franchise and cover initial startup costs. Terms for a 7(a) loan can extend up to 25 years but will vary depending on the franchisee's intended use of the proceeds.

What franchise is the most profitable?

Most Profitable FranchisesDunkin'7-Eleven.Planet Fitness.JAN-PRO.Taco Bell.Orangetheory Fitness.Great Clips.Mac Tools.More items...•

What do franchisees need before banks will consider giving them a loan?

Financial institutions typically require a draft of the franchise agreement, the franchisee's statement of personal finances (including net worth) and a business plan. Once your business loan is approved, Saqib says entrepreneurs shouldn't be afraid to seek help in running their franchise.

Do franchises do credit checks?

A good franchise company is going to find out anyway, because they'll order credit reports on you prior to approving you as a franchisee. If they find out you lied or misled them about your credit history, they'll turn you down in a heartbeat, so it's better to be upfront about this.

Can I get a business loan with a 500 credit score?

When you have bad credit, you can still get a small business loan. This is because your credit score doesn't matter as much as the overall financial health of your business. Many lenders require a minimum credit score of 500, at least six months in business, and more than $30,000 in annual revenue.

What credit score is needed for a SBA loan?

around 620-640+Is there a Credit Score Minimum for SBA Loans? The Small Business Administration doesn't set specific credit score minimums for SBA loans. However, lenders set their own SBA loan requirements, and you'll typically need a credit score somewhere around 620-640+ to get an SBA loan.

What is an SBA approved franchise?

Franchises that have received SBA approval are declaring that they've gone through a formal process with the SBA pre-vetting itself for future loan applications. As a result, the SBA loan process is streamlined for the franchisee – not entirely avoided.

What is franchise banking?

IN BANKING. We define franchise value as the present value of the future profits that a firm is expected to earn as a going concern. Profits are those gains beyond what is required to cover all costs, including the cost of capital.

What is the franchise fee for Dunkin Donuts?

Dunkin' Donuts Franchise Cost / Initial Investment / Dunkin' Donuts. The total liquid capital required to open a Dunkin' Donuts franchise is $125,000 and Dunkin' Donuts franchise fees are $40,000 to $90,000. The minimum net worth of a Dunkin' Donuts franchise is $250K.

How do you pay for a franchise?

Franchisees usually pay an ongoing franchise fee or royalty. This fee is normally expressed as a percentage of the gross revenue of the franchised business but can also be a fixed periodic amount such as $500 per month, regardless of revenue.

What is the cost of McDonald's franchise?

Documents- ID cards, lease documents, etc. Franchise Investment Cost- In India, if anyone wants to start a McDonald's franchise in India, then their net worth should be between INR 10 to 15 Crore. Also, assets worth INR 5 Crore should be in the form of cash or liquid assets.

How should a potential franchisee obtain funds to finance a franchise system that he she wants to enter?

For well-established franchise brands, banks that specialise in franchising will consider lending up to 70% of the total start-up costs including working capital. For newer, less established franchise brands the available finance from a lender maybe lower.

What is the franchise fee for Dunkin Donuts?

Dunkin' Donuts Franchise Cost / Initial Investment / Dunkin' Donuts. The total liquid capital required to open a Dunkin' Donuts franchise is $125,000 and Dunkin' Donuts franchise fees are $40,000 to $90,000. The minimum net worth of a Dunkin' Donuts franchise is $250K.

Do I Qualify for Franchise Financing?

Qualifying for franchise financing often varies based on the form of funding you choose. For example, traditional bank loan requirements will not be the same as the requirements from alternative or online lenders. Although this is the case, some conditions remain the same regardless of the application process.

5 Ways to Get Financing for Franchisees

A franchise loan is a financing option that many new franchisees choose to take. If you find yourself needing to secure a franchise loan to dive into the industry, we’ve taken the liberty of simplifying the process for you. Startup costs can multiply quickly, and franchise loans ensure that you can keep up.

What Do I Need to Apply for Franchise Loans?

When applying for a franchise loan, lenders will want to get a clear picture of the franchisee’s financial profile. Be prepared to show them items such as your credit score, current net worth, and liquidity.

How Can I Improve My Chances of Being Approved For Franchise Financing?

When lenders consider franchisees as applicants, they look at how much risk you represent. If your current financial situation has decreased your chances of being approved for franchise funding, all hope is not lost.

What is franchise financing?

The best loans for franchise financing can help you open a new franchise, buy an existing franchise, or secure working capital for your franchise. Franchise financing includes SBA loans, term loans, lines of credit, and more. The following loans are faster than a bank loan, and you can apply entirely online.

What does it mean to be a franchise owner?

Becoming a franchise owner gives you the flexibility of owning a business with the added security of being part of an established brand. However, as with owning any new business, startup costs can be high, and you may require infusions of capital if you encounter hard times. Franchisees must also pay a franchise fee when opening a new franchise as ...

How long does Applepie loan last?

ApplePie offers both SBA loans and conventional loans with a five to ten year repayment period at fixed or variable interest rates, depending on the loan product. Read our post on SBA franchise loans to learn more about SBA-backed franchise loan options.

What is funding circle?

Funding Circle was established in 2010 when one of its founders started a gym franchise and realized how difficult it was to obtain funding. Today, Funding Circle has numerous franchise partners across the US, including Papa John’s, Pinkberry, Quiznos, and many others. This lender is also very flexible, offering various loan products through partnered lenders for franchises in different stages of growth. For qualified applicants, Funding Circle has the advantage of offering faster funding than a bank loan would, as well as having relatively low rates and fees.

What is a smartbiz loan?

SmartBiz is a viable online loan option for franchise owners who want the security and low-interest rates of an SBA-backed loan but with the ease and speed of an online loan. SmartBiz is the number one marketplace for SBA 7 (a) small business loans online. It offers online SBA loans up to $5 million for commercial real estate purchases, loans up to $350,000 for debt refinancing and business capital, and bank term loans up to $500,000. This lender is only an option for established franchises. You’ll need at least two years in business, a positive cash flow, and good personal credit.

How long does it take to get a loan from Ondeck?

The entire process from starting your application to receiving your funds usually only takes a couple of days.

What is the interest rate on Credibly loans?

Credibly offers a mix of short-term loans, medium-term loans, and merchant cash advances. You can borrow up to $400,000 with the merchant cash advance or short term loan, or up to $200,000 for the medium-term loan. Flat rates start at 15% for the advances and short-term loans , while the medium-term loans have an interest rate between 10% and 36%.

Get a partner

Adding up other people’s capital to yours can be a way to start. But you have to be very clear, and draft contracts, that establish the society, the way it will work, and percentages of ownership.

Joint loans

Explore your commercial options to find one that can be cosigned with your better half to have more money or better conditions and rates. Even though there are relatively cheap franchises out there, there are also very expensive, and successful, ones.

Equipment loans

One of the most amazing things out there are equipment loans because you can use them to lighten up the strain of initial quotas and investments. This type of loan can help you furnish your local, get computers or other devices needed to operate, and other physical requirements that you need to fulfill according to your contract.

Regular loans

Small business financing is a big world, with options for everything. You can access a traditional loan from a not-so-traditional finance provider like a fintech. You just have to learn how they work, from terms, rates, special conditions, payments and so. And then make a plan to pay in time even before opening the doors of your business.

Ask for financing options inside the franchise

Some franchises know that their investment is high and they create payment plans to help you finance your acquisition. Ask for financing options or the outside options they do accept. You could have an attractive plan that allows you to start selling / servicing without paying all your investment upfront.

About the Author - Kerry Crocco

Marketing Coordinator for Franchise Solutions and Franchise.com; conduct email marketing campaigns, web page management and trade show coordination. Mother of two, wife and Young Living Essential Oils representative.

Why SBA Franchise Loans?

Owning a franchise is an appealing option for a few reasons. A franchise operates with a model that has already proven to be successful and comes with a corporate reputation to back up the choice in your investment.

How Can Franchise Owners Use SBA Loans?

The SBA loan program has specific requirements for how the funds can be used, which are outlined in the loans’ eligible use of proceeds. In short, the SBA requires that loans are used to improve or establish a site to conduct your business, fund your operation’s soft costs, and/or refinance certain outstanding debts.

Which SBA Loan Program is Right for You?

There are multiple SBA programs business owners may utilize to start or grow a franchise. The type of loan you should apply for depends on the amount of capital your project needs and how you plan to spend the funds. The three most popular SBA loan programs for franchise owners are:

Is My Franchise Eligible for SBA Franchise Financing?

To receive an SBA 7 (a) loan, a franchise must meet universal SBA 7 (a) Loan Program requirements, franchise-specific requirements, and be evaluated by the lending institution as a viable and credit worthy financing candidate. According to the SBA, eligible businesses must:

How to Apply for an SBA Franchise Loan

After you determine that an SBA franchise loan is a good fit for your plans, it’s time to begin the application process. Follow these steps to get started:

What to do if you take out a franchise loan?

If you take out a loan, work hard to repay the debt in full to keep up a healthy credit score. For those franchisees using their own money, budget carefully in order to operate the business and sock away money earned back into the depleted accounts.

Is buying a franchise a one time expense?

Buying a franchise isn’t a one-time expense. Additional fees, ranging from franchise fees and royalty fees, may also be charged to franchisees. Franchises also need to hire employees and purchase inventory in order to run the business smoothly — all of which tend to be ongoing expenses.

How to determine if a franchise is eligible for financing?

Review the SBA franchise directoryon the SBA website to determine whether your franchise is eligible for financing. When SBA franchise lenders review your documents, they will also reference the directory to confirm your eligibility.

How to apply for SBA loan as a franchise owner?

The steps for applying for an SBA loanare similar to any other applicant with one exception: You must first verify your franchise brand is eligible for SBA financing. Confirm your franchise is eligible for SBA financing.

What to do if your brand is not listed in the franchise directory?

If a brand is not listed in the directory, consider asking the franchiser if they have plans to be listed. The directory is updated weekly and there are no application fees.

What happens if you fail to repay a loan?

Alternatively, you may need to secure the loan with collateral — if you fail to repay the loan, then the lender can exercise its right to seize the collateral to recoup its loss.

How long can a 7A loan be?

Terms for a 7(a) loan can extend up to 25 years but will vary depending on the franchisee’s intended use of the proceeds. Interest rates can be either fixed (up to 11.25%) or variable (up to 8%).

What is a 504 loan?

Unlike the general-purpose 7(a) loan, the 504/CDC loan program is for securing major fixed assets, such as machinery and equipment, and can be used for purchasing real estate and remodeling buildings, too. A restaurant franchise owner, for example, may use a 504 loanto purchase commercial kitchen equipment. The 504 loan’s maximum amount for the CDC portion is $5 million, with terms extending up to 25 years.

Can a franchise owner apply for SBA loans?

However, only business owners whose franchises are listed in the SBA franchise directory can apply. The listed franchises operate business models that meet the SBA’s eligibility criteria.

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