Franchise FAQ

how to open a franchise business with no money

by Cathrine Kiehn Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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How much does it cost to franchise a business?

What is a Franchise?

How much do franchisees spend on marketing?

Why do traditional lenders give out loans to franchisees?

What is the best loan for franchisees?

How much does a credit union contribute to a franchise?

How many new businesses fail in their first year?

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How to start a franchise with no money?

Starting a franchise with no money can be challenging, but it's possible if you find investors or take out a loan. Some franchises, especially newer ones, offer financing to help you purchase the franchise. If you know someone with the money to invest, consider asking them to partner with you to fund the purchase in exchange for profits. Alternatively, borrow the funds from a bank or Small Business Administration loan, or take an equity loan on your home. If you have sufficient savings in your retirement account, you might be able to start a Rollover as Business Startups plan to invest the money into your franchise. However you secure the funding, make sure you fix any errors in your credit report to pass franchisor’s background checks. For more tips, including how to find the right franchise for your circumstances, read on!

How to find out how much cash you need to start a franchise?

Also look at different franchise websites, such as franchisedirect.com. You can search by category, such as “coffee franchises” or “home-based franchises.” The website should tell you the minimum amount of cash you will need to get started.

How to get a franchise disclosure document?

You might not get the Franchise Disclosure Document until you submit a qualification questionnaire. However, you should still try to find out the start-up costs before pursuing a franchise. Talk to a current franchisee or ask the franchisor outright how much money is needed. They should be willing to tell you.

Why is franchise exposition important?

A franchise exposition might be held near you as well. They are great to visit because you can ask questions and compare franchises at one location.

What is a rollover of a business?

The process is called a Rollover as Business Startups, or “ROBS.”. Essentially, you start a qualified retirement plan in your new business and then rollover your retirement savings into the franchise's retirement plan. The retirement plan then buys shares in your business.

How much does it cost to start a franchise?

Check start-up costs. No franchise will let you start for free. However, you can start some home-based franchises for as little as $1,000. Others will cost from $10,000 or more. Find out the start-up costs and whether you can afford to buy in.

How to get a loan for a start up?

Pursue traditional bank loans. The traditional way to get a loan is to approach a bank or credit union. To get a bank loan, you'll need excellent credit. Also, you probably need at least 20% of the start-up costs in cash, which you might not have.

How to get money to buy a franchise?

Another way to get the money you need to buy a franchise is by using funds you already have in your retirement account. Normally, drawing from your account early results in penalties. However, you can avoid these penalties and access your funds in just weeks with a Rollovers for Business Startups plan, also known as ROBS.

What to do if you don't have the funds to buy a franchise?

Partnerships. If you don’t have the funds to purchase a franchise, consider bringing on someone who does and forming a partnership. A friend, family member, colleague, or anyone with money to invest can become a partner.

What is the best SBA loan for franchisees?

There are several types of SBA loans for franchisees, but one of the best is the SBA 7 (a) loan.

How long does it take to get approved for a SBA loan?

Although qualifying for an SBA loan is easier than getting a conventional loan, the process can be time-consuming, taking anywhere from weeks to months for approval and funding of the loan. You must also meet all of the requirements for 7 (a) loans and CDC/504 loans, including but not limited to having a solid personal credit score, putting up collateral, and meeting the guidelines of a small business as defined by the SBA. You should also be prepared to pay any fees required by the lender, including appraisal fees, service fees, and closing fees.

What are the most expensive franchises to buy?

If you have some money in savings or another source of funding, shop around for lower-cost franchising opportunities. The big players — think, McDonald’s, Chic-Fil-A, and other established franchises — are typically the most expensive to purchase and operate. Instead, focus your sights on more affordable opportunities that will allow you to break into business ownership.

How much of the franchise amount does a nonprofit give?

With this option, a nonprofit Certified Development Company (CDC) provides up to 40% of the amount needed by the franchisee. A traditional lender, such as your bank or credit union, provides up to 50% of the amount. With this option, you could contribute as little as 10% to receive the funding you need.

Does Weed Man have a bank loan?

The amount of money and type of financing offered vary by franchise. For example, Weed Man provides up to $40,000 to franchisees that may not qualify for a bank loan . The UPS Store also offers a low-interest financing program to qualified borrowers. Marco’s Pizza offers personal guarantees and assists franchisees in finding funding through sources including traditional and SBA loans.

What is a job franchise?

Job franchises are what they sound like: they’re an option that requires the franchisee to put in a day’s work to make their money. They’re also one of the cheapest options to start, requiring usually a small amount for licensing and other materials. Job franchises are best for people who don’t have a ton of investment capital but also want to be their own boss and don’t necessarily want to grow into a large business. With a job franchise, you’re ultimately buying into a brand, through which you can make your own money under an established name. Think cell phone repair shops, plumbing or electric companies, or event planning services.

When was Franchise.com founded?

A Trusted Industry Leader Since 1995. Founded in 1995, Franchise.com was one of the first franchise recruitment websites in the world. Today, we continue to be the 'go to' place for people beginning their business opportunity search and the journey of franchise ownership as well as for those already involved in the world of franchising.

Is franchise one size fits all?

But franchises aren’t one-size-fits-all. In fact, there are a lot of franchise models that exist which work for people who don’t have a ton of investment money laying around to put toward becoming a franchisee. Beyond that, there are several options to secure the funding necessary to buy a franchise.

Do product franchises exist?

Product franchises aren’t always going to be low-cost options, but some do exist and they’re worth investigating, especially if you’re sales savvy. Like job franchises, product franchises give you autonomy to run the business the way you see fit while selling a product or service from a franchisor. To be fair, these are often large retail operations—car dealerships, tire retailers—but there are smaller options too, like vending machines.

Is franchise a good investment?

When considering these options, it’s always a good idea to speak with a financial professional to make sure you’re making a sound decision. Franchises are excellent investment opportunities, but it’s important to make sure you’re starting on solid fiscal ground before committing to a loan.

Do you have to spend money to make money?

There’s an old saying in business: “You have to spend money to make money.” And in most cases, yes, that’s true. Especially in franchise models. There may be licensing fees for the brand and logo use, royalties—some may include marketing fees that go toward very helpful and targeted marketing in the franchisee’s area. Simply put, you need money to buy a franchise

Can a franchise get a loan from the SBA?

Franchises are the perfect fit for the Small Business Administration. Ideally, a loan for a franchise will offer long repayment terms and low interest rates. Not everyone qualifies for a conventional loan, though. This is where the SBA comes in. While they don’t distribute the loans themselves, they do provide a guarantee on loans from banks and credit unions. Because the SBA backs the loan, it’s more likely that the franchisee gets approved. There are several SBA loan options, most of which offer flexible repayment plans that are well-suited to a would-be small business owner.

Why you need money

Startup fees vary from business to business. Some companies require office or retail space, others you can get off the ground from your kitchen table. Certain businesses demand that you have permits and other licenses, all of which have fees attached.

Ways to save funds

To get your business off the ground with as little capital as possible, you have some options. First, determine if any of the needs that demand money listed above can be reduced. Maybe you can operate without office space or forego hiring help in the early stages.

Finding financing for your dream

If your goal is to own your own franchise, you won’t simply be able to bootstrap your business in the same way that you could if you were going out on your own. But the upside of having to pay a bit more for the rights to a franchise system is you have their proven system to back you up and guide you to making your business a success.

Other financing options

If the franchisor doesn’t come through in terms of financing, or if what they offer doesn’t cover all your needs, there are other ways to find the money for your business. From second mortgages or home equity lines to bank loans, from loans from the U.S.

How much does it cost to franchise a business?

The initial fee that most franchisees have to pay can range from anywhere between $10,000 to $100,000. Next, franchisees have to pay royalties. The royalty fee structure can be set up differently from brand to brand, but usually are based as a percentage of revenues.

What is a Franchise?

The International Franchise Association (IFA) describes a franchise as "a method of distributing products or services." The franchisor creates a brand's trademark and a business system. A franchisee then pays a royalty fee and an initial cost for the right to do business under the same brand name and system.

How much do franchisees spend on marketing?

Lastly, most franchisees are required to spend a certain amount on "marketing fees" per year. This is to ensure the franchise location is sufficiently promoted and has the opportunity to succeed in its local market. Marketing fees typically are between 1-4% of revenues.

Why do traditional lenders give out loans to franchisees?

Additionally, traditional lenders like giving out loans to franchisees because they're being backed by a business model that has proven to work in the past. These traditional lenders are especially happy to see brands they recognize, while lesser-known franchise brands may not be as appealing.

What is the best loan for franchisees?

SBA loans are another popular choice for future franchisees. The SBA is a government institution that offers long-term rates at competitive rates. The SBA doesn't actually provide loans but instead guarantees a loan from a bank or credit union. This is an excellent option for someone with a low credit score who can't get approved for a small business loan from a bank on their own.

How much does a credit union contribute to a franchise?

A bank or credit union provides up to 50% of the amount. The franchisee contributes as little as 10%. With an SBA CDA/504 loan, there are limitations to how the funding can be used. For example, you can't use the loan to pay for franchise fees.

How many new businesses fail in their first year?

People who are ambitious and entrepreneurial often explore the possibility of starting a business. However, starting a business is challenging. Approximately 20% of new businesses fail in their first year, and 50% fail by their fifth year. That's where the franchise business model comes into play. Franchisors offer individuals the opportunity to become a business owner with a significantly lower risk. Franchises have an already-made business plan that has proven to be successful in the past. However, buying a franchise typically requires a lot of money. Keep reading to find out how you can go after those hot franchise opportunities when you have no money.

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