Business Finance Depot (BFD) specializes in providing financing for new and existing franchisees, helping them to acquire the capital they need to launch or grow their business. Our company offers the most comprehensive variety of new business financing products (see product listing) available in today’s marketplace. We list the main financing products below along with the franchisors we serve whose franchisee use each product to finance their startup business and to expand their existing franchisees.
All financing options require the borrower(s) to contribute an equity injection, so they have “skin in the game.” The typical sources of equity injection are savings, the sale of marketable securities, gifts from family members and/or the Rollover as Business Startup (R.O.B’S.) plan established by the IRS. The R.O.B.S. program is a method for a prospective franchisee to use their retirement funds to pay for their equity injection or their total startup costs in a tax-free transaction. The R.O.B.S. plan then uses the rollover assets to purchase the stock of the new C Corporation franchise business. The equity injection cannot be borrowed funds such as a home equity loan unless the loan is repaid from an unrelated source such as spousal earnings or investment income.
Finally, interest rates for all financing products are impacted by the prime lending rate (currently 8.25%) which serves as a base line for SBA, USDA and commercial loans. The rate is a variable rate and is established at periodic meetings of the Federal Board of Governors. A risk premium is typically added to prime rate which is a fixed rate capped by the SBA and USDA which is normally 2.75%. Variables such the type of business and the borrowers’ credit scores, time in business, liquidity and collateral are considerations that impact the risk premium charged by any given lender.
The Small Business Association (SBA) offers a national loan program which can be used to finance any franchise approved by the SBA. The SBA offers a substantial loan guarantee which reduces the lender’s risk, making securing an approval more likely. SBA loans offer some of the lowest interest rates available and can be repaid over the longest term available today. The following information lists the 6 possible uses of SBA loans and some franchisors using these loans in an outline format.
Financing a Start -up Business –
Use of Funds – The SBA 7(a) Loan will finance between 70% & 90% of the total project costs including equipment, organization costs, buildout, deposits, inventory, working capital and franchise fees.
Expanding an Existing Businesses
Cashflow – An emphasis is placed on the profitability of the business based upon the business’s recent tax returns and interim financial statements.
Debt Consolidation
Use of Funds – The funds are used to refinance business debt including existing mortgages, equipment leases and loans. Credit card debt CANNOT be included.
Qualification Rule – The resulting monthly payment must reduce the total monthly payments of all debt being consolidated by at least 10%.
Business Acquisitions
Business Valuation – The Letter of Intent must be supported by a business valuation. The valuation is conducted by the SBA lender using the seller’s tax returns and interim financial statements.
Working Capital – Garage Living , Patrice & Associates, Fibrenew, Naturals 2 Go & Ace Handyman Services
Loan Amount – The SBA Express Loan provides working capital up to $150,000 for a home-based business and an existing business.
Collateral – Business collateral only
Restrictions – This loan cannot be used for business acquisitions, purchasing real estate and for construction.
Real Estate Mortgages – Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Parks & Kampgrounds of America (KOA)
Loan Types – The SBA 7(a) loan ranges up to $5,000,000 and the SBA 504 loan ranges up to $10,000,000.
2 Step Loan Process – SBA 504 loans are first approved by the lender and then approved by the regional Community Development Corporation.
Use of Funds – The loan will finance up to 90% of the real estate purchase & the development costs.
Qualification Rule – The business must occupy at least 51% of the useable space which provides an opportunity to lease up to 49% of the useable space.
USDA Loans ($250,000 up to $25,000,000) – Camp Jellystone & Kampgrounds of America (KOA)
This national program is designed to provide loans to for-profit entities, nonprofits, cooperatives, federally recognized tribes, and public bodies, given they are in a city or town with a population under 50,000. The USDA offers loan guarantees from 60% to 80% depending on the loan size.
- Use of Funds – purchase real estate, machinery, and equipment. Development costs, working capital and franchise fees can be included
- Repayment Term – 30 years
- Interest rates – May be fixed or variable rates as negotiated between the borrower and lender, subject to USDA approval. USDA loans typically have lover interest rates that SBA loans.
- Qualification Rules –
- Once a location is identified; eligibility is determined by inputting the address in the USDA Property Eligibility Website
- Environmental studies are required that follow NEPA regulations
- Feasibility studies are required for new businesses
- 2 or 3 Step Loan Process – Loans are first approved by the lender and then approved by the USDA district office up to $10,000. Loans over $10,000 are first approved by the lender, then approved by the USDA district office and sent to the USDA national office for approval. .
Equipment Financing ($5,000 up to $2,000,000) – Garage Living, Smash My Trash, Red Box + , United Franchise Group’s storied franchises (Signarama , Experimax and Fully Promoted.), F45 Training, Athletic Republic, The Camp Transformation Center & HOTWORX.
One of the main benefits of equipment leasing is that these transactions are completed much faster than SBA and USDA loans. There are 2 products: equipment leases and equipment finance agreements. The lender owns the equipment when an equipment lease is used. The borrower owns the equipment when an equipment finance agreement is used.
- Use of Funds – Any equipment needed to operate the business which can include signage, point of sale systems, furniture, vehicles, and tools.
- Interest rates –fixed rates vary by the borrower’s financial strength, time in business & industry experience.
- Collateral – the equipment package being financed.
- Equity injection – The down payment or security deposit ranges from 1 lease payment up to 20% of the $ amount being financed depending upon the useful life of the collateral.
- Repayment Term – Ranges from 3 to 7 years.
- End of Term – Once the equipment lease is paid, the ownership of the equipment is transferred to the company leasing the equipment.
Commercial Loans & Unsecured Personal Loans ($25,000 up to $250,000) The Graze Craze & HOTWORX
Unsecured personal loans are used to provide working capital and combined with an equipment lease or for clients not interested in or eligible for SBA loans. One of the main benefits of personal loans is these transactions are completed much faster than SBA and USDA loans.
- Use of Funds – The funds are unrestricted and can be used for any purpose.
- Repayment Term – 5-7 years
Please contact Paul Bosley by emailing paul@businessfinancedepot.com with any questions or for more information.
