Franchising Opportunities : Best Lessons For A Franchise Business Loan

The ‘ Big Reveal’ On Franchise Financing Options In Canada

OVERVIEW – Information on how Canadian entrepreneurs can address franchising opportunities via the proper type of franchise business loan in Canada






Franchising opportunities in Canada require... you guessed it... a franchise business loan of some sorts. Easy to say, somewhat harder to finalize. Let's examine some key points and lessons we've shared with franchisees in their search for ' the big reveal' around achievable franchise finance success. Let's dig in.

The type of franchise you select, i.e. ' the opportunity' part of your vision will often dictate the type and amount of financing you need. Depending on the nature of your chosen franchise you will need capital for one or all of the following -

Franchise fees

Equipment

Leasehold Improvements

Working Capital / Royalty fees

For the majority of clients we work with they typically incorporate the actual franchise fee as part of their own capital /equity investment in the business - in effect its part of that ' down payment '.

Most franchisors, often based primarily on their own experience have a strong sense of the total amt. of capital needed to be successful. With the amount of disclosure franchisors are required to make these days the benefits to the franchisee are clear - so doing your homework in investigating the potential financial success of your business is key.

Repayment for equipment and leasehold needs will typically come from the ongoing cash flow in your franchise. You of course know that, but the goal is to prove that to your lender/lenders. In Canada those lenders are either specialty franchise lenders, banks via 2 types of specifically tailored programs, and misc asset and working capital firms in the general category of leasing companies or working capital providers.

Your ability to prove repayment for your loans will come from your business plan and cash flow forecast. It's an investment of time (with minimal cost) that will prove to your lender/lenders your ability to repay term and operating debt.

Most franchisees most certainly are not accountants, but spending some time understanding some basics around cash flow, break even, and contingencies is a highly recommended pursuit. Advice in this area can easily come from your accountant, business advisor, even other franchisees you may choose to meet and talk to.

In the majority of franchise financing in Canada very little outside collateral is required. The franchise reputation, your business plan, your initial equity investment will more often than not carry you to reasonable chances of success. Lenders will though want to know how you have run your personal finances (credit bureau scores, net worth statements, etc) - lenders can be forgiven for treating most franchises as start up businesses with the risk that comes with any start up.

If you're looking for the ' big reveal' on the truth around basic franchise financing in Canada seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business Financing Advisor with a track record of success who can assist you in making the entrepreneurial dream a financeable
reality.





Stan Prokop - 7 Park Avenue Financial :

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com

Business financing for Canadian companies , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing , Equipment Leasing , franchise finance and Cdn. Tax Credit Finance . Founded in 2004 - Completed in excess of 90 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations . Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details :

7 Park Avenue Financial = Canadian Expertise In Financing Franchise Opportunities






Have A Question /Comment On Our Blog Or Canadian Business Financing Alternatives ?

CONTACT:

7 Park Avenue Financial
South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8

Direct Line = 416 319 5769

Office = 905 829 2653


Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com


' Canadian Business Financing with the intelligent use of experience '

Stan Prokop

Financing Franchises In Canada . Expert Facts On Obtaining A Franchise Business Loan In Canada

A STUPID QUESTION ROUND UP ON FRANCHISE FINANCING


OVERVIEW – . Information on successfully completing a franchise business loan in Canada . Financing franchises requires the right expertise and professional advice


A franchise business loan in Canada . We challenged ourselves recently to come up with some ' stupid' questions on financing franchises in Canada. Actually it turned out to be not that hard. No one would ever ask these questions would they? We're hopeful they wouldn’t but there’s a lot of misinformation around these days. So let’s dispel some serious fallacies around financing your business as a franchisee entrepreneur. Let's dig in!

Question # 1 - ‘Do I really need to finance a new franchise. Can I just pay cash or collapse my savings, registered, investments, or put a collateral mortgage on my house. That's what my banker recommends’

Answer - We suppose that you could pay your franchisor the full amount per your banker’s request. But why would you honestly do that? You incorporate as a franchisee to separate your business life from your personal life. That limits your liability to the assets of the franchise, aside from any personal guarantees. There’s a whole world of financing help out there when it comes to financing your business - specialized franchise finance firms, leasing companies, working capital solutions, even private equity firms in certain circumstances. Don't risk your personal financial assets if you can properly finance a franchise with rates, terms and structures that make sense.

P.S. You might want to remind your banker that the Canadian SBL/BIL/CSBF loan program is in fact one of the most popular methods of financing a franchise via a bank . Or is it that they don’t want to do the extra work that’s required to complete one of the best loan facilities in Canada for a franchise .


Question # 2 - ' I know what I am doing; I don’t need to spend time or pay for a business plan, do I?

Answer - Business plans, whether they be detailed or in executive summary format are required for all commercial lending opportunities when it comes to buying a business such as a franchise. They also later serve as a management tool to measure how well you are doing compared to your original financial goals. It's one of the best scorecards you can have when done properly. If you don’t have the time or financial expertise to prepare a business plan seek the advice and help of a Canadian business financing advisor.

Question # 3 - ' Once I finance via a franchise business loan I don't require further financing, right?"

Answer - While many types of franchises are in fact cash flow positive from day one certainly not all come under that category. So you need to spend some ' financial time ' in two areas - the early days of the franchise when more is going out than coming in, and secondly for long term growth and replacement of assets or leaseholds that might need updating. In some cases your franchisor may in fact insist that certain assets and leaseholds be updated/replace. So don’t forget to factor in ongoing working capital needs which can often be identified through your business plan or a cash flow forecast.


In summary - don’t let the challenge of financing franchises become a major hurdle in your success as a franchisee. The research and effort you put into picking and checking out a franchise should continue in the financing process.

Seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can assist you with your franchise business loan project.



Stan Prokop - founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial –

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com

Originating business financing for Canadian companies , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing . In business 10 years - has completed in excess of 80 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations . Core competancies include receivables financing, asset based lending, working capital, equipment finance, franchise finance and tax credit financing.
Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details :


FRANCHISE BUSINESS LOAN - FINANCING A FRANCHISE




7 Park Avenue Financial
South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8
Phone = 905 829 2653
Fax = 905 829 2653
Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com













Stan Prokop

Don’t Fall For Wrong Info On Getting A Canadian Franchise Business Loan - Get The Bank Franchising Finance You Need

Accept No Substitutes For Real Info On Franchise Financing In Canada



Information on how to get a franchise business loan . Franchising finance with and without the bank . Finance Your Entrepreneurial dream today




Misinformation. It's everywhere it seems. That’s why we think there's some room for some solid information around a franchise business loan in Canada, with, and without the franchising bank finance you are probably looking for.

The whole issue of ' the bank ' is probably where a lot of the mystery, apprehension and misinformation lie when it comes to franchising finance in the Canadian marketplace.

When you understand how the banks participate in franchise finance and your loan in particular things get a lot clearer. We think if we lined up ten business people and entrepreneurs and asked them if they thought banks would finance their franchise... well we hesitate to guess their answers, or coments.

The reality though, approached under the right circumstances and program the fact that you are purchasing a proven business model is actually very appealing to the bank - Again, under the right program.

So where do things go wrong? One of them when we talk to clients is simply the fact that they are incorrectly assuming that the financing they are looking for will be a loan for 100% of the purchase price. We only wish!

The reality is that you must be prepared to inject certain funds; we'll call it an equity or owner investment, into your business. Under the right franchise finance program that permanent injection can be as low as 10%. Naturally certain other ratios around liquidity and debt have to make sense.

Remember also that the right mix of debt, i.e. what you owe, and equity, i.e. what you put in is the classic success story for any business financing. It's all about the right blend. You don’t want to drain all your personal resources, that’s for sure - at the same time you want to be in a position to pay yourself and your franchising finance loan and show a reasonable profit also.

We keep referring to a ' program' Specifically its the government BIL program which is administered by the banks but underwritten, or ' guaranteed' substantially by the government , to your lender, the bank!

Clients often ask us if they can get franchising assistance from a finance point of view from their franchisor. We're skeptical that happens a lot, and if it is it’s certainly in a limited fashion - so don’t hang your hopes on that dream too much!


Does being prepared make sense to you in business? It sure has to us! That’s why a very simple basic package that covers info on yourself, your new proposed business, some financial projections and other misc data make a franchise business loan happen a lot faster.

What about the financing costs for that loan ?The truth be told ( and we did promise you the truth ) is the BIL program has the best rates in Canada for any start up business, which is more or less what your new franchise is . Rates are in the 3% over prime range, and other enhancements to the overall credit package of the program are very
attractive to you, the business borrower.

Your own business background and personal credit rating play a key part of any franchise financing decision. Be prepared to demonstrate paying your taxes on time, having good payments with your creditors, etc. Typically you won’t be asked to put up additional personal collateral such as homes, savings, etc. But again, that's if you have presented your overall picture properly.

We often supplement client financing with equipment leasing on certain assets when that makes sense - that might include P.O.S. systems, computers, etc.

Want to make sure you are getting the real scoop on franchise finance in Canada. Seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can assist you in this area; thereby enhancing your business success potential.




Stan Prokop - founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial -


http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com



Originating business financing for Canadian companies , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing . In business 7 years - has completed in excess of 80 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations . Core competancies include receivables financing, asset based lending, working capital, equipment finance, franchise finance and tax credit financing .Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details :



http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com/franchise_business_loan_bank_finance_franchising.html

Ten Things Mom Didn’t Tell You About Financing Options For A Canadian Franchise Business Loan

Demystifying Franchise Finance in Canada


Information on financing options for a Canadian franchise business loan . Debunking popular myths in franchise finance and focusing on how to successfully complete your acquisition of a new or existing franchise opportunity .


If there is one business segment that is not ‘out of favor ' these days its the franchise industry ... not the least of which reason is that a huge per centage of the Canadian economy depends on sales from this entire industry .

Clients have very similar questions when it comes to a franchise business loan, revolving around their need to realize the entrepreneurial dream with financing options that make sense for their particular situation.

We thought we would cover off ten of the most popular questions/issues around franchise business loan financing options, many of which stem from mis - information they have received or simply their desire to get some solid answers to fundamental questions.

So here we go! How long does the financing process take? Typically we advise clients that they should be assessing their financial options in tandem with their progress on selecting and formulating their final decision around which franchise to purchase. We see many instances where a client has lost a lease or location because they were not able to commit to financing approval. In many franchise segments the proverbial three things reign supreme - location, location, and... you guessed it... location!

Is there a lot of ' red tape' when it comes to exploring financing options for franchising? Our answer to that simply is that a franchise is a business and you should understand that the key issues revolving around the purchase of any business - i.e. due diligence, a business plan, a financial plan, miscellaneous costs, etc are all in place in franchising.

If we are turned down elsewhere can financing approval be still obtained. Absolutely... positively, it’s a case of seeking the best alternative that fits your total purchase price and owner investment into the business... ie your equity contribution.

Can both small and large franchises be financed? One or two specialized commercial finance firms dominate the major franchise market when it comes to large cap franchise investments. These transactions can be in the millions, and often involve real estate. However thousands of franchises are financed everyday in the 50-500k range.

What are franchise loan funds used for? In the mainstream of financing for franchises the finance covers equipment assets, leasehold improvements, and in some cases working capital. Many soft costs, such as your franchise fee typically can’t be financed.

How much can we borrow? Boy do we get that one a lot. The BIL program which covers a majority of franchise financing options does max out at 350k... other complimentary financing such as working capital term loans, merchant financing, and equipment leasing can provide top up financing.

What are my requirements to get approved for a franchise loan? Two key requirements are a reasonable personal equity investment into your new business, as well as a reasonable credit history and business track record in your new or related industry.

Can franchise financing be arranged on an existing franchise? Absolutely, positively... that’s a yes! A different strategy is involved, as we are now looking at an existing business with financials, assets, cash flow record, etc. But re -sales can be financed!

Can real estate be financed with a franchise acquisition? Our answer to this one is simply that normal real estate financing guidelines apply, so whether you are purchasing a mfg. company of a restaurant franchise the real estate component would typically be financed separately through a holding company you might set up.

Does franchise financing cover the construction costs of my new business? Yes, that is exactly what many programs are used for.

That covers a lot of the basics. Carefully planning via a business plan and financial projections are key. In any business expert advice gets you to the goal line faster. Seek and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can help you get to ' the dotted line!’



Stan Prokop is founder 7 Park Avenue Financial ;


see http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com

Originating financing for Canadian companies,specializing: working capital, cash flow, and asset based financing , the 7 year old firm has completed in excess of 80 Million $ of financing for companies . For info / free consultation on Canadian business financing / contact details see:


http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com/franchise_business_loan_financing_options.html

Surviving The Franchise Business Loan Process - Doing it Right In Franchise Finance Funding in Canada

We wouldn’t say that it’s a life and death situation, but clearly surviving the entire franchise business loan process with a final result of successful franchise funding of your new business is clearly a victory on your part.

Let’s examine how you find franchise finance funding in Canada and the most efficient methods to complete the process when it comes to time, resources, and utilizing proper expertise.

Although there is somewhat of a negative spin on business funding and business financing in general the reality is that as a whole the franchise industry is viewed as a positive ' vertical market ' by the lenders that participate in this area . Many new entrepreneurs will be surprised to hear that one government financing vehicle is actually the most utilized by new franchisees.

We also sometimes forget to reference the fact that when it comes to a franchise funding that whole process can also involve your purchase of an existing franchise where the current owner is motivated to sell. Certain processes, procedures and recommendations on buying an existing franchise are somewhat different than your traditional new ' turn key ' approach to a brand new franchise.

So let’s get back to our ' survival ' theme. What elements of preparation are critical to that? Many franchisees we talk to complain or tell horror stories of the time it took them to finance their business. Our observation on that is simply that if you are not fully prepared up front to present a package to the right party, containing all the critical elements... well you know what comes next... there is just simply a tremendous amount of back and forth and potential frustration on your part . And don’t forget you also run the risk of alienating your lender and being perceived as ill prepared to own and run an entrepreneurial business.

So what you do need to have in that packaged that allows you to survive the entire financing process?
The key elements are a concise business plan as a good start! We also caution franchisees that the plan should focus on repayment of the loan and franchise funding itself - with less emphasis on all the marketing and ' pr ‘type material that is in many plans we see.

Key elements of that plan are your background and experience. If you are purchasing a business and looking for a franchise business loan in an industry in which you have no experience be aware that that will be come a discussion point with the lender. In reality any business person that has solid overall management experience and skills, coupled with some financial acumen should be in a position to ‘up sell ' their skills as a new franchisee and entrepreneur.

We speak of the ' lenders ' in franchise finance funding in Canada. If you don’t know who they are we can virtually guarantee you frustration and a potential decline of your proposal.

The largest franchise lender in Canada... are you ready for this... is the government of Canada by virtue of their support of a special program called the BIL/CSBF loan program . The majority of franchise business funding is done through this program. By the way it has great rates, terms and structures that are often perfect matched to your needs.

In summary, we can clearly say that a franchise business loan is not 'rocket science ' ; identify a suitable BIL/CSBF loan partner , prepare a clear package that’s focused on your and repayment of the financing, and consider seeking the services of an expert in Canadian business financing in the franchise area . You'll find you have survived the process and come out on the other end approved and ready to commence your role as a new Canadian business owner in the franchise industry.

-



Stan Prokop - founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial -
http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com

Originating business financing for Canadian companies , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing . In business 7 years - has completed in excess of 50 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations .Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details :

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com/franchise_business_loan_franchise_funding_finance.html

Reality Check ! Financing your Restaurant Business via a Franchise Business Loan is Possible

Congratulations! We think. So you actually really do want to open or purchase a restaurant? We always admire clients who have decided on this business decision given the amount or risk and work that is often involved. Our comments and info on financing your restaurant business pertain specifically to a franchise business loan, but to be honest being think they are 100% applicable to financing any non franchise restaurant.

First the key good news, there are a number of options available to finance a restaurant. Although it's a non financial reason, the reality is that you will be more successful in your financing if you can demonstrate previous experience in owning, managing, or working in the industry - that’s only common sense. The type of passion and your enthusiasm about your business usually transcends into one of the key positives in your lender or lenders assessing your application.

You will noticed we used the term lender or lenders... that is because in the current economic environment of 2010, where we have just come through a global recession that affected every industry it has been necessary in many cases to cobble together your financing through a number of sources .

The next question always comes very quickly from our clients - What are those sources, who is financing restaurants. Well the goods news is that the government is! What do we mean by that? Simply that one of the most popular programs out there is the federal government BIL/CSBF program which finances the majority of franchise restaurants in Canada. Who knew! The program is very attractive, and in our opinion quite frankly is the best program for financing a restaurant, franchise or non franchise, in Canada. Basic terms of the program are a lending cap of $ 350,000.00 and rates and terms in the 5-6% range currently with 5 to 7 year amortizations.

What most prospective restaurant entrepreneurs don’t realize is that the government sponsors and guarantees the program, but your friendly banker runs it. In our experience many bankers are ill equipped to process this loan, so the golden jewel in restaurant financing in Canada , in our humble opinion, is the ability to source a business financing advisor who can successfully, ( and quickly ) get you approved . Naturally as with any business financing there are some basic criteria that need to be met, but it you have got the fundamentals you are well on your way to financing your restaurant business.

The fundamentals we referred to include a responsible down payment by yourself - we call this your owner equity. You know the next question our clients ask already - 'how much down? The reality is that it depends, but we can say safely that your down payment should be commensurate with your financing loan total amount request.

Many restaurants in Canada are financed by the seller, i.e. the franchisor, or the current franchisee who is selling. What do we mean by that? Simply that if a creative structure is required the franchisor or the current owner can offer to hold a vendor take back, allowing you to replay that amount later at some agreed upon interest rate. This simply minimizes the amount you have to borrow and qualify for.

Other methods of financing your restaurant include lease equipment financing for all or a portion of the hard assets. This type of financing is easier to get approved, as it primarily focuses on the hard assets being financing. Again, this also has the ability to lower the amount you need to finance from bank perspective.

Restaurant owners love the ' bottom line' which hopefully is profit. Our bottom line in our information is simply that franchise business loans and financing your restaurant business are achievable, and you do have options. Search out an expert and get ready to open those doors to your customers after you have successfully completing the financing of your restaurant venture.

--
Stan Prokop - founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial - http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com
Originating business financing for Canadian companies , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing . In business 6 years - has completed in excess of 45 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations .Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details :
http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com/franchise_business_loan_financing_restaurant.html