How To Qualify For Franchise Financing In Canada – A Franchising Finance Business Loan That Makes Sense!

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Buying A Franchise?

What do I need to do to get to the goal line? That's a favourite client question when it comes to franchise financing in Canada. We're talking about a franchising business loan to finance your new business (or one that exists already which you're buying).

Franchise Finance

Information. Solid info that you want on the qualifications and process involved in getting approved for your franchise investment. Let's dig in.

Franchise Loans Canada

To say that franchise finance is a ' specialty' area of Canadian business financing is an understatement. There is a fundamental misunderstanding of how this type of finance works, the processes around it, and the risks that you can avoid by doing things properly... with some expert advice along the way.

Franchising In Canada

Is there a systematic way, or method that Canadian franchisees can use to get the financing they need? We think there is. Essentially it is really two very simple concepts, planning, and knowing the process. Simple as that.

Many new Canadian franchisee ' wannabees' view financing as an obstacle. We can forgive those clients sometimes because in the last few years any type of business financing has been a challenge, whether you're General Motors or purchasing a new franchise in the restaurant industry!

Many franchisees (mistakenly so) think the franchisor you are working with is either going to provide you with the financing you need or in some cases at least steer you in the right direction. They might do a bit of the latter, but let's be honest here; the franchisor's job is selling franchises, not financing them.

 Even various banks and other franchise lenders probably would like to see franchisors being more involved in the franchising finance business, but we simply don’t think that is going to happen.
Education. And guess what, we are not talking about educating you, we're talking on your need to be able to educate your franchise lender about why you are the perfect franchise financing in Canada candidate.

Financing A Franchise In Canada

And who are the franchise lenders in Canada? That's probably the main thing you wanted to know, isn’t it? There are 4 key franchise lenders in Canada. They are the Canadian chartered banks under a special program called the BIL/CSBF program, one or two very specialized franchise finance lenders ( they only do very large transactions ) , and thirdly some independent finance firms that offer equipment financing tailored specifically for the franchise industry.

But didn’t we say there were 4 lenders? We did. And we're pretty sure you know that 4th lender already. It’s yourself because your own equity portion or down payment into your business is viewed of course as a debt or a loan.

So what's the clear process in qualifying for franchise financing in Canada. Is there a clear road map you can follow? We categorically think there is. And here it is.

Identify the total franchise funding you need. Determine what amount of owner equity you are prepared to put into the transaction. Anywhere from 10 - 40% is typically required. Determine which of the 3 other methods of financing will allow you to cobble together a total solution to finance your new business.

Next step - prepare a package that includes a business plan, cash flow, info on yourself and the franchisor, with a focus on success and repayment of your debt. Along the way don't forget that you need reasonable personal credit history, and boy does some specific industry experience or general business knowledge help in confirming your future ability to be successful for a franchise finance business loan.

Focus on the best financing that matches your needs; we strongly recommend the BIL program which has great rates, terms, structures, and limited personal guarantees.

Going it alone. It’s possible. A better idea? Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canada business financing advisor on information and help on franchise financing in Canada. Next step = ' You're approved '!





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

Direct Line = 416 319 5769

Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com

Click Here For 7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL website !



7 Park Avenue Financial provides value-added financing consultation for small and medium-sized businesses in the areas of cash flow, working capital, and debt financing.



Business financing for Canadian firms, specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing, Equipment Leasing, franchise finance and Cdn. Tax Credit Finance. Founded 2004 - Completed in excess of 100 Million $ of financing for Canadian corporations.

' Canadian Business Financing With The Intelligent Use Of Experience '

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stan has had a successful career with some of the world’s largest and most successful corporations. He is an experienced

business financing consultant

.

Prior to founding 7 Park Avenue Financial in 2004 his employers over the last 25 years were, ASHLAND OIL, ( 1977-1980) DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CORPORATION, ( 1980-1990) ) CABLE & WIRELESS PLC,( 1991 -1993) ) AND HEWLETT PACKARD ( 1994-2004 ) He is an expert in Canadian Business Financing.


Stan has over 40 years of business and financing experience. He has been recognized as a credit/financial executive for three of the largest technology companies in the world; Hewlett-Packard, Digital Equipment and Cable & Wireless. Stan has had in-depth, hands-on experience in assessing and evaluating thousands of companies that are seeking financing and expansion. He has been instrumental in helping many companies progress through every phase of financing, mergers & acquisitions, sales and marketing and human resources. Stan has worked with startups and public corporations and has many times established the financial wherewithal of organizations before approving millions of dollars of financing facilities and instruments on behalf of his employers.









Stan Prokop
7 Park Avenue Financial/Copyright/2020

What You Need To Know About Franchise Financing In Canada

Franchise financing in Canada has to work for you as the franchisee as well as your franchisor and of course your lender(s). How do you access franchise finance after you have made the critical decision to purchase a new or existing franchise – in many cases you may be fighting timelines and need to ensure that you have access to all the proper information about financing your business , and , more importantly, ensuring you have put together the best franchise financing package . Let’s examine some of those issues.

Financing is available for pretty well very type of franchise in Canada , and most people are very surprised to hear that franchising as a whole in Canada accounts for close to half of all our retail sales – that’s a staggering figure, so franchisors must be doing something right !

We are all probably keenly aware that many franchisors in Canada are in fact branch organizations of U.S. based systems. That is ok as long as your franchisor has an acceptable and successful franchise model. Financing for your Canadian purchase should not be affected by a U.S. ownership of your franchise system.

There are a couple of major questions that, if clarified early on in the process, will allow you to finance your new business in a successful manner. One of those key questions is whether your franchisor has a program in place that they either self fund, or perhaps work in partnership with a Canadian financier such a bank. However, in our experience we caution clients not to rely or think they will receive a huge amount of assistance, particularly financial, in setting up their business. There is one clear reason for that, the franchisor is in the business of selling franchises and using your funds to build the next one – that’s how it works, and there is of course nothing wrong with that.

What the franchisor can in fact do though is to give you guidelines around how their franchisees have been financed in the past, and provide you with sample breakdowns of financing needs. Financing needs for a franchise come in a couple concise categories – they include the franchise financing fee itself, equipment and leaseholds that may be required to open the business, and of course on going working capital .

On going working capital is a key point, imagine the disappointment or stress of financing a franchise for purchase and then slowly discovering you don’t have enough working capital to fund receivables, inventory, growth, equipment and expansion needs, etc .

Clients are always asking if financing a franchise in Canada is different from financing any other business. The answer won’t be one of your favorites – the answer is yes and no! Any business, franchise or not, requires a finance plan to purchase the business, a business plan to map out costs and growth, and ongoing working capital financing. In that manner franchise finance is similar to starting any business. Where it differs is that there are a limited number of ways in which a franchise is financed in Canada. It may surprise most entrepreneurs that banks and other lending institutions and firms view the industry fairly positively – we think that’s because there is strength in a proven business model, resaleability, and the branding that comes with your purchase.

Financing your business purchase has to be a carefully followed roadmap. In Canada the majority of franchises are financed by a special program called the CSBF program, which in fact is a program supported by the government and administered by the banks. As an owner you have to put some of your own equity into the business. The key challenge is whats the right balances for that amount – you don’t want to borrow too much, and conversely you may or may not have a huge amount of equity to put into your purchase of a new or existing franchise. We say existing franchise because it is perfectly acceptable to purchase a business, and finance it, from an existing franchisee. In some cases the financing is actually easier because there are financial statements and a finance history to the business already, as well as possible existing assets to the business.

In order to finance your franchise you require a breakdown of the different asset categories – as well as a business plan that shows cash flows and projected profits. As a business owner you should have some experience or skills related to your purchase, and we already have mentioned that fact that you must put a ‘reasonable ‘down payment into the business from your own funds. Business owners with spotty personal credit histories have a larger challenge in getting financed, as there is an emphasis on how you have run your affairs in the past.

In summary, focus on getting the right franchise that suits your skills and risk tolerance. Understand your finance plan as it relates to the purchase and ongoing needs of your business. Speak to an experienced, credible, and trusted franchise financing expert to ensure you can successfully complete your acquisition and commence your entrepreneurship journey!

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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_financing_in_canada_today.html