Get Started with a Franchise Loan
Sunday, February 21st, 2010Most entrepreneurs find the model of franchising to be extremely attractive. It is a brilliant concept, as it allows an average business owner to attach him or herself to a large corporation and to profit from its pre-established products, systems, client base, and business plan. As the franchise network grows, so does the health and profitability of the parent company. One hurdle that many investors must overcome in order to break into the franchise industry are the often exorbitant costs involved with buying franchising rights from the parent company. Popular saying, or urban legend as it may be called, holds that a McDonald’s franchise costs around one million dollars to start. For most people, that kind of cash is unattainable, so they must turn to a Franchise loan to start their dream.
A Franchise loan is exactly what it sounds like: a loan that is made by a financial institution to a business for the purpose of starting a franchise. These kinds of loans are not easy to obtain because of the high level of risk that is involved for the lending company. Prospective franchise loan borrowers can expect the approval process to be rigorous and stringent, as the bank is investing not only in a project, but also in the borrower, in a sense. Be prepared to submit a comprehensive business plan, along with information and documentation on the success of the company which you are seeking to franchise.
There are a couple ways to go about obtaining a Franchise loan; you can pursue either traditional financing, or you can get a loan that is backed by the SBA. The federal government, by way of the Small Business Administration, has made it easier for franchisees to get in business by enabling lenders to offer loan products with more flexible payment terms, lower down payment requirements, longer repayment terms, more working capital, and a shorter closing time, just to name a few. You can work with lenders that have experience in SBA loans to get the best deal for your particular situation. Given the risk that Franchise loans carry, the SBA loan is a great option for lenders and borrowers alike.