Looking For Business Financing For A Franchise ? Here’s How Franchising Financing Companies Work

Here’s How The Last Guy Financed His Franchise In Canada

Information on business financing for a franchise in Canada . What types of franchising finance companies can help you complete your purchase and how are most franchises financed in the Canadian marketplace.



It's often always about ' the other guy '. How did he, or she, get their franchise financed and completed so successfully? Let's examine business financing for a franchise in Canada. How do franchise financing companies or other institutions assist franchisees such as yourself to be successful in acquiring and growing a business?

It's of course ' the money ' i.e. the financing that is often the stumbling block to self employment, owning your own business, and financial success. And if you feel you are on 'the outside ' of business financing in Canada we can only assume that roadblock is quite formidable.

That’s when clients we talk to are quickly surprise that just a few key basics immediately puts you ' in the game ' with respect to completing a business franchise acquisition . A good place to start is ensuring you have a respectable personal credit history - it is pretty close to impossible for you to complete a franchise acquisition without being able to demonstrate that you have managed your own personal finances successfully.

At this point you only need two other things to be successful, the ability to prepare and present a finance proposal that makes sense, and, secondly, to ensure that proposal is in front of the right person.

The right person? That often is one of the biggest challenges faced by Canadian entrepreneurs looking for companies and organizations that offer true business financing for a franchise. In Canada there are only one or two specialized franchise finance firms that offer full service franchise financing. Those services might include acquiring a new franchise, refinancing a current business, acquiring real estate for the actual franchise, and of course financing equipment and potentially leaseholds to complete a purchase.

Thousands of entrepreneurs just like yourself seem to think that the Canadian chartered banks don’t fully support the financing of a new franchise. They are 100% right and 100% wrong! That's because the banks in Canada are the facilitators of the Government of Canada Small Business Loan. Over the years this business financing has been found to perfectly suit franchisee's such as yourself who are looking to acquire a new or existing franchise.

But why is the Government program so successful. 3 reasons. Great rates, terms and structures. Although the program is capped at 350,000.00 that amount certainly covers 90% of the franchises we see from a viewpoint of financing to a turnkey situation. Terms are typically 5-7 years, personal guarantees are nominal, and the best part, rates are very competitive.

To successfully complete business financing for a franchise, via an independent finance firm or the government program you need a clear business and financial plan. An experienced Canadian business financing advisor familiar with franchises can complete that for you quickly, and at a low cost. It’s a clear recap of you, the business, and the financial potential.

Franchisee's in Canada cant escape having to put their own investment into the business - that can range from 10-40% depending on a couple of key factors such as asset mix, size of transaction, and the proper execution of some clear financial projections .

Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor on the proper method to achieve franchise financing success. Do your homework, be properly prepared with your proposal, and get on track to independent business ownership via the franchise model in Canada.


About the Author - Stan Prokop
Canadian Business Financing
http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com

Why A Canadian ABL Business Credit Line Is Your New Plan B For A Cash Flow Facility

Canadian Business Financing – Doing It Right The Second Time!



Information on why the ABL business credit line facility for cash flow and daily working capital needs if revitalizing Canadian business financing and providing a solid alternative to traditional financing .




Fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately .. most business owners and financial managers in Canada are familiar with Plan B. Thats the alternative when Plan A didn’t work! That's why we think this is an excellent analogy for consideration of an ABL business credit line for your daily operating line of credit and cash flow facility.

Frankly, things have never been hotter in the asset based finance industry ; ABL financing and its subsets ( receivable financing only, equipment financing only ) provide significantly more amounts of liquidity when they are benchmarked against their PLAN A competitor, Canada's chartered banks.

So how is this achieved, when both solutions, the asset based line of credit and the traditional commercial bank line of credit strives to do the same thing? It’s simple. Increased borrowing leverage on your assets .Typically this is 90% of your receivables, (not 75% you are getting now) and market value leverage on inventories based on raw materials, work in process and finished goods margins.

The other factor in PLAN B's success is simply that these facilities grow as your business grows, pretty well automatically, as the entire premise of and ABL cash flow business credit line facility is based on the business credit line growing lock step with your sales and assets. The bottom line - the financing decision is made on your sales and assets, not the overall strength and structure of your balance sheet and income statement.

Surprising to many, but not to us, is that some of the largest corporations in Canada are utilizing this type of financing, abandoning commercial bank credit facilities in the process. We don’t make any bones about it - if your firm feels its being served well by a commercial bank revolver borrowing facility then by all means stay with that low cost solution. If that isn’t the case, well you know the drill... consider PLAN B!

Let's also spend a minute on cost of ABL cash flow business lines of credit. We hate to sound wishy washy but rates are better than, equal to, or more costly than bank facilities. That kind of covers the bases, right? We simply mean to say that depending on the size of your facility, where your company is at in terms of success and failure, and most importantly, who you deal with ultimately determines your cost structure on an asset based line of credit.

The other interesting note to make about our PLAN B solution is that while we're specifically talking about an ABL as just a business credit line the reality is that it can be used for a management buy out, leveraged buy out, acquiring a competitor, etc. That’s true flexibility.

So why isn’t this type of business financing in Canada more well known? We ponder that pretty well every day. Part of the problem is that the actual players in the industry are limited, some are foreign owned, and some are highly specialized in deal size, industry appetite, etc. But we can assure you an ABL cash flow lender exists in Canada that is suited to your needs.

Current economic challenges in Canada and the world for that matter place a tremendous strain on business capital liquidity. Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor on why PLAN B can help your firm survive, and grow!



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/business_credit_line_abl_cash_flow.html

Can A Financing Receivables Strategy Save Your Company ! A Perfect Solution Via Business Finance Companies ?

Why Confidential Invoice Discounting Works Best


Information on financing receivables in Canada via business finance companies . Let a Confidential factoring solution save and grow your business!




Survival. Growth. Are they different concepts? Business financing in Canada addresses of course both those basics. And one type of financing, the financing receivables offered by business finance companies seems to address both those issues very well thank you, in the SME sector. Let's examine how that works, what are some of the key benefits, and if in fact one optimal solution exists with this type of financing.

Clients we talk to are often frustrated in their attempts to achieve cash flow and working capital financing in an efficient, simple matter. They are looking for both flexibility, and speed in closing a solution - unfortunately they don’t always find it.

Receivables financing fits somewhat perfectly into solving the desires of Canadian business owners and financial managers. However the array of types of business finance companies that offer that solution, and how that solution is delivered can sometimes be confusing to clients.

So, the basics... a receivable finance (aka invoice discounting/factoring) facility is the sale, on a one of, or ongoing basis of your billed receivables. That sale allows you to receive cash, in advance of course, of the collection of that receivable. We've been watching the age of Canadian business receivables get older and older of the years and while the norm ' in the old days' used to be 30 the new norm is of 60-90 days... unfortuantely!

Clients are always asking when the correct time to consider such a facility is. Some key factors that will help them achieve both survival and growth are as follows - double digit growth in sales, requests from customers for extended terms, pressure from suppliers for accelerated payments from your firm, etc. Any or all of those points can come together in a final decision to include a receivables financing strategy into your survival equation.

So if in fact you made that decision can you expect to receive benefits that are tangible and offset the cost of this financing, which is very typically higher than bank finance rates? The answer is ' yes '!

Key benefits include the ability to achieve higher revenues due to the working capital infusion you have just arranged. Your cash flow now becomes very predictable given that you receive funds as you generate sales - a lot of the seasonality and bulges around your business ups and downs disappears. And, contrary to what some clients believe, you're not borrowing funds and incurring debt, you are simply monetizing the left side of your balance sheet. Your A/R account simple reads ' cash on hand'! and that’s a good thing.

So what about the cost of this financing? In Canada it’s typically between 2-3% per month. That cost can be offset in a number of manners. The challenge we see clients face is in the way in which financing receivables in Canada is in fact presented by business finance companies. Rarely is the fee represented in a one time clear explanation - its masked with various miscellaneous issues.

Is there one type of facility that we recommend as optimal to clients? There is. It’s a confidential working capital/factoring financing that allows you to bill and collect your own receivables. You maintain the benefits of this type of financing, while being in control of your own destiny, and that growth and survival we spoke of!

Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can help you steer your way through the myriad of offerings in the Canadian business space.





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/financing_receivables_business_finance_companies.html

Which Of The 3 Asset Financing Structures Works For Your Firm ? Right Choices With Equipment Leasing Companies in Canada

Types of Lease Financing In Canada



Information on asset finance structures available to Canadian business owners via equipment leasing companies . Picking the right structure is crucial to lease finance success.



Making the decision to utilize equipment leasing companies for asset financing might involve a decision you may not have properly considered... and it’s an important one... Which type of lease best suits your needs on this particular transaction?

Canadian business owners and financial managers essentially have 3 choices when it comes to matching up their asset finance acquisition to the right type of structure, and that includes the accounting and tax treatment also. Let’s examine those 3 choices and ensure you are properly positioning the financing of that asset.

The ' Go To' transaction that most business owners consider when they start to work with equipment leasing companies in Canada is the ' finance lease ‘... aka the ' capital lease ‘ ...and a final aka .. The ' lease to own'. Choosing this first of our three choices has you focusing on one thing, owning the asset at the end of the lease term.

The key factors that you need to consider under this type of transaction are the interest rate, what you will do with the asset at the end of the lease term, and any accounting and tax considerations that might come into play based on the asset you are financing as well as the size of the transaction.

We always caution clients that if it is their true intention to own and keep that asset that they double ensure that equipment leasing companies don't structure the asset as being the properly of the lessor at the end of the lease . Naturally they don’t want to own and use the asset, but they do want to try to re lease it to you or sell it to you... after you have paid for it in full once already!

Interest rates are a key part of the transaction in any equipment lease deal. There are 5 elements in any lease pricing transaction - term, rate, and payment, value of the deal, and future value at end of term. If you know 4 of those any simple financing calculator will allow you to calculate the missing piece of the puzzle.

2nd type of lease. It’s an operating or fair market value asset finance transaction. While it’s a favorite of our clients it’s important to ensure you level the playing field with equipment leasing companies in Canada that offer this type of transaction. The operating lease is all about one thing, flexibility.

So, properly structured you have just entered into lease finance nirvana when you consider a fair market value lease transaction. Why? Simply because at the end of the lease term you have the option to purchase, return, or upgrade and extend the transaction. Operating leases are perfectly suited to technology and heavy equipment type transactions, due in part to the size and use of the asset.

Our third and final type of lease is not necessarily a lease type per se... it's the sale leaseback .Typically structured as a capital lease, but not necessarily, you are selling he asst back to the leasing company. Your key benefit - cash flow and working capital on an asset that otherwise was only sitting there! Almost all types of real properly assets can be financed back under a sale leaseback type scenario. On alternative to the sale leaseback that is shorter in nature is to consider a bridge loan as opposed to entering into a finance transaction with equipment leasing companies.

The bottom line? As always, its stay informed and gets the right advice on which type of asset finance transaction structure works best for your firm. Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor on which structure maximizes the benefits for your company.




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/asset_finance_equipment_leasing_companies.html

What Are The Options For Short Term Financing And Bridge Loans In Canada ? Specialized Financing Can Help

Temporary Financing Strategies That Can Help Canadian Companies


Information on short term financing techniques and options in Canada. How specialized bridge loans can help your firm today .



Many Canadian firms require specialized financing that might best be described as ' outside the box ' requirements. Short term financing, such as bridge loans, solve immediate problems for Canadian business owners and financial managers.

So who are the firms that provide this type of financing? It clearly is not the government or Canadian chartered banks, so it’s often a challenge for thousands of small and mid market firms to locate specialized financing.

We supposed you might be able to call the government BIL/CSBF program specialized finance, but it is certainly not short term in nature... in effect its a term loan with significant government guarantees to the financial institution providing that financing. So while the guarantee is highly prized by the bank this clearly is not a specialized finance program that meets the needs of a short term financing.

It seems sometimes ironic, but firms that are significantly challenged from a financial perspective are actually the candidates for specialized finance such as debtor in possession financing (D I P) which allows a firm to operate while in the process of filing a bankruptcy proposal to creditors. Naturally the intent of this financing is to emerge as a new invigorated entity.

Essentially the financing takes a security in excess of the current secured creditors - it goes without saying a strong case must be made at this time for survival and re emergence.

So how can you release cash flow and working capital in a short term emergency type situation with existing unencumbered assets? The answer is of course a sale leaseback scenario. Under this strategy you essentially sell and release the assets to your lender. You are basically capitalizing on the investment you have made in fixed assets capital over the years, in effect monetizing that asset.

The good news here is that all types of assets can be refinancing under a short term financing / bridge loans strategy. That includes computing assets, construction equpment, manufacturing assets, printing equipment, and rolling stock.

Company real estate can of course be monetized in the same fashion as above , allowing you to extract anywhere from 30-75% of the value of a proper appraisal of your properly .

Short term financing needs are often required by firms who are in the process of exiting traditional bank financing, perhaps after they have been place in ' Special Loans’. In effect the bank relationship is over.

A multitude of solutions are available to your firm under bridge loans. This might include a comprehensive asset based line of credit encompassing inventory l equipment and receivables, or subsets of that finance such as receivable financing, purchase order financing, or the monetization of a government tax credit such as ' SRED '.


Short term financing in Canada is specialized... niche financing. It requires speed, efficiency, expertise in cost and structuring, etc. Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can assist you in matters of bridge loans and specialized financing needs.



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/short_term_financing_bridge_loans_specialized.html

Overcoming Canadian Movie & Digital Media Finance Challenges – Let Film Tax Credit Financing Be the Final Piece of the Puzzle!

Use Canadian Tax Credits For Film, Tv and Digital Media to Maximize Production ( or co-production ) Success


Information on film tax credit financing in Canada and how the monetization of your movie television, or digital media tax credit can enhance your production finance strategy .



Looking for one of the biggest understatements in town? How's this ... Financing movie, television and digital media productions is a challenge. Can you beat that one?!

Rather than talk about the challenges, clients tell us they want solutions! No surprise there. So let’s talk about one of the most obvious solutions - utilizing film tax credits for your projects in movies, TV and digital media.

Canada continue to be the beneficiary of what many industry pundits call ' Runaway ‘productions ... simply speaking ... they are shown all over the world but made and financed here in Canada for some great reasons.

Film tax credits reduce the cost of your project. It's as simple as that. Call it a government subsidy, call it a non repayable grant, but call it! There are a number of factors that make Canada a great place to product and finance your production - our focus today is the film tax credit but clearly things like foreign exchange, our geography, skilled media labour... etc all fall into place with respect to Canada's current success .

It’s quite obvious that film tax credit financing in movie, TV and digital media has played a large part in the growth of the industry, aka ' Hollywood North. In the real Hollywood, aka California there is even a movement afoot to abolish film tax credit s.

So why are these tax credits available? Simply because the combined federal and provincial government authorities have made a long term commitment to the industry... they might call it strategic... we're just grateful.

Film tax credits are available in 9 out of the ten Canadian provinces. New Brunswick, one of Canada's ten provinces is phasing out the credit.

Unlike the U.S. the Canadian structure and types of credits do not vary significantly... they vary somewhat but we wont quibble about a few per cent here and there. The bottom line is that the Canadian film tax credit is non repayable, and generous.

In British Columbia alone the film TV and digital media industry is a solid 1 Billion dollars of the gross provincial economy. Naturally the better known centres of production in Canada are Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal. Using Vancouver as an example the B.C. tax credits reimburse over 35% of your labour cost. Productions that qualify for Can Con (Canadian content) receive 25% of labour costs from the federal portion of the tax credit. Over 200 Millions dollars has been awarded in recent times.

Ontario as an example has a 20% computer animation and special effects tax credit and a 40% interactive digital media credit.

We hate to be called ' game players ' but guess what, digital media tax credit financing is growing, and quickly. The industry is predicted to grow 20% a year for the next few years! Canada is the third largest digital media and game producer of talent in the industry. Financing of the Digital Media Tax Credit is a key factor in the growth of the industry.

The maximum tax credit for film and TV in Quebec is 65%!

One key element of the industry that is growing rapidly is the digital animation and special effects via interactive digital media content.

Another noteworthy trend is that European and Canadian co productions are growing. Many U.S. and European producers find funding in Canada to round out the financing of their projects.

As independent film productions continue to grow... in budget size! it of course makes more sense to use the generous Canadian film tax credits. England, France and Germany have long had co production treaties with Canada. Producers are well encourage to further investigate co production treaties in place, allowing them to access valuable an solid Canadian funding for their project via the film tax credit .


Bottom line; consider both investigating and financing your film tax credit and digital media credits. Financing can be achieved via a financing of your approved credit, or in many cases an accrual type of financing can be utilized to accelerate the cash flow during production of your project. And in our experience that tax credit financing enhances your ability to complete the debt and equity portions of your project. Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor for tax credit finance assistance... today!




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/film_tax_credit_financing_movie_digital_media.html

5 Questions – 5 Answers On The Canadian Government Loan Small Business Program – SBL Funding

Financing With The Government Small Business Loan In Canada


Information on the Canada Government Small Business Loan Program – SBL Funding Helps Thousands Of Businesses Like Yours





The Canadian Small Business Loan Program, commonly called the SBL Loan provides funding for thousands (over 7000 firms in 2010) of Canadian businesses just like yours. The program has been in existence for many of years and yet still many Canadian business owners and financial managers like you still have sometimes not even heard of the program!

Contrary to popular opinion these loans do not require a tremendous amount of time or effort and you are not dealing with a faceless government employee, as some might think.

Industry Canada, which sponsors the program grants Canadian chartered banks the authority to underwrite and approve loans and financing under the program. If you qualify, and know what and how to do things, you can receive approval for the loan within 48 hours.

Given the current economic challenges in Canada it clearly is refreshing news that Canadian business owners, from start up to established firms can receive financing up to $ 500,000.00 under the program. The Canadian banks are chartered to look out for the programs interest of course, but at the end of the day don’t forget the main goal - facilitation your access to credit a capital that you might not otherwise secure.

There isn’t a day when we don't receive questions from clients about the program, everything from basic questions to issues that confuse the Canadian business owner about the program. Lets over off 5 of those questions, then consider yourself well informed about the SBL small business government loan program, funding on great terms, for your company.

Question 1- What type of loan is available? The answer to that is pretty simply, the program covers financing for real estate, equipment, leaseholds, computer software. What it doesn’t cover, which is typically what many clients are looking for, is funding of operating assets such as cash, inventory, and receivables. These assets are used to expand your business and provide financing at rates, terms and structures you might likewise not be able to achieve. Don’t forget this includes start ups also!
Question # 2 - Qualifications. The qualifications are simple. Business owners must have a decent personal credit history, a business address or location, a down payment of minimum 10% on assets financed, and a business plan that makes sense. Certain financial ratios must work re debt and opening working capital.

Third Question - Down payment, equity. The basic story is that you must have a minimum of 10% down on all financings, but to satisfy some of the bank guidelines you must have anywhere from 30% down to ensure opening working capital and debt to equity make sense for the custodians of the program .. The bank.

Questions # 4 - The approval process! How does it work?? The bottom line is that it’s not as complicated as you think. This is a great time to work with an experienced business advisor on ensuring you have a crisp plan that satisfied the program basics. Some standard business documentation back up - articles of incorporation, cash flow, owner net worth statement, etc should allow you to ensure that an approval is received in a matter of days. Not exactly what you associate with a government program... right?!

Final question - How does the Small business government loan program, i.e. SBL funding differ from normal financing. Its simple, the government is guaranteeing a huge portion of the loan to your bank. No personal collateral is required, and unlike most Canadian financing your personal guarantee is limited to only 25% of your financing. Terms are anywhere up to 7 years, and rates are comparable to what the big boys get.

The bottom line, the SBL program is probably a lot more user friendly than you think. If you work with a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor you can use this financing to meet the growth needs of your business, from start up to established firm.




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/small_business_program_government_loan_funding_sbl.html