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Small Business Loans for Franchises
Franchises provide entrepreneurs an opportunity to jump right into business ownership without developing a brand and processes. This comes at a high cost, though. You have to pay tens of thousands in franchise fees — an unaffordable price for many franchisees.
Almost every franchisee will eventually need a business loan. Fortunately, getting loans for a franchise is easier than for an independent business. Here are some options for small business franchise loans.
Franchisor Financing
Before you run to an outside lender, speak to your franchisor first. Your franchisor may have their own capital available for you to borrow, or they may partner with particular lenders to bring loans to their franchisees.
Obtaining franchisor financing streamlines the process. You have one lender for all of your franchise needs, from franchise fees (usually, the franchisor will defer the franchise fee and charge interest) to business equipment. They will understand your business better than external lenders, too.
Interest rates can seem high on franchisor financing, but, in exchange, they don’t often require collateral.
Banks
Banks should be the first type of external lender you visit. Your credit score plays a large part in determining your odds of approval — and if approved, your interest rate. Additionally, you’ll need to provide some documents.
- Business plan
- Three years of tax returns
- A personal finance statement (containing a breakdown of your assets and liabilities)
- Down payment source verification
The stronger your franchises brand name, and the more locations it has, the easier it’ll be to get a loan. Banks prefer businesses with a proven track record and a history of strong cash flows.
Additionally, banks may require collateral, such as your home or another valuable asset. They may even require a down payment on your loan.
SBA Loans
SBA loans tend to come with lower interest rates, higher amounts, and longer loan terms. Banks issue these loans, but the government backs them — which is why they have the benefits we mentioned.
The primary type of SBA loan is the 7(a). Most SBA loans have term lengths up to 10 years, but there are some exceptions:
- Working capital — 7 years
- Real estate/construction — 25 years
To get an SBA loan, you generally need good credit as well as collateral. It’s also worth noting that interest rates fluctuate on SBA loans, as they are based on the Prime Rate.
The SBA also offers Express loans, which offer much faster turnaround times and loan amounts up to $350,000. They come with higher interest rates than 7(a) loans, though.
Alternative Lenders
Alternative lenders — such as P2P lending platforms — have looser loan restrictions, but they charge higher interest rates, lower amounts, and shorter term lengths than traditional financing routes.
That said, alternative lenders are worth a look if you can’t qualify for other financing source, or you need quick access to a smaller amount of money.
Summary
With several options, picking the best small business loan for your franchise can be tough. Fundvisor can help by evaluating your business and looking into the best source of financing for you.








