Financing a franchise business? What you need to know to obtain finance for a franchise

Can too much expert knowledge in financing a franchise business ever be a bad thing? We certainly don’t think so and we'll show you how to obtain finance for a franchise business that you have chosen to purchase.

When talking to clients about franchise finance in Canada we generally talk about the Boy Scout motto. You will recall that their motto is ' BE PREPARED ' and that’s the total strategy around financing a franchise successful that you must adopt.

Getting the money to purchase your franchise of often the biggest worry of new entrepreneurs such as yourself. People search out franchising opportunities because they are essentially looking for a combination of opportunity and wealth - there is usually only one major obstacle to that road to success, it’s the funding for the acquisition of the franchise business.

If we had to summarize in a very simple and basic what you need to be successful in franchise financing we would boil it down to a few key issues. Want to know what they are? From our perspective it all comes down to a reasonable history of business or management experience , a decent personal financial profile - more about that one later, and access to the ' inside secret ' of franchise financing in Canada, which, you may be surprise to know, is the government of Canada !

Let’s circle back on those points - and as always it comes down and back to our Boy Scout motto - be prepared. We can see our client’s eyes rolling back now when we tell them we need a crisp business plan . That’s a key requirement of your ability to obtain finance for a franchise, simply because it’s the ' proof’, if you will, of your ability to understand and run your business properly. In that document you have info about yourself, the business you are purchasing, the industry you are in, and the financial performance you expect to achieve in your new role as business owner and entrepreneur.

From a lenders perspective financing a franchise business is all about one thing - getting paid back for the loan. So the lender will look at how you have structured the financial portion of your business plan to reflect ability to repay your franchise loan, as well as how much cash flow and working capital is left to pay yourself a salary and run your new business. Could anything make more sense than a properly crafted and positioned business plan - we don’t think so.

Your money - you have it, you want to keep it - don’t we all. However, whether it’s a franchise business or any business for that matter OPM never works - OPM is ' other people’s money' and you can't rely on 100% of outside financing to obtain finance for a franchise in Canada. So be prepared to invest anywhere from 25-50% of the purchase price into your acquisition. Coupled with that and this is critical, you must be able to demonstrate that you have run your personal and business affairs respectably from a credit perspective. Obtaining a copy of your credit report, in advance, by you, is strongly recommended.

And, oh yes, what about that Government Issue we mentioned. That’s one of the great secrets and tips we promised to reveal. Did you know that probably 90% or more of financing a franchise business in Canada revolves around a special loan program called the CSBF/BIL loan? It’s a federal program, and administered by financial institutions. Whats so great about it - limited personal guarantees, great rates, terms and structures.

Speak to an expert in franchise financing when you are looking to obtain finance for a franchise - seek out someone who is trusted, credible and experienced. Be prepared, and get ready to be successful.

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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 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/financing_franchise_business_finance_for_franchise.html

What’s the State Of Asset Finance Solutions in Canada and What Asset Based Lending Rates Make Sense For My Firm ?

There must be a reason why asset finance solutions are becoming one of the most popular solutions to business financing in Canada. Let’s look at asset based lending rates in Canada and the types of solutions that might be available for your firm.

Because of the broadly interpreted nature of the term asset finance solutions lets be really clear on what we are talking about here. Asset based lines of credit is really the essence of our topic and discussion. Simply speaking it’s the financing that your firm secures, on a revolving of operating basis, and it’s collateralized by receivables and inventory.

But wait, we should also add that in many cases your firm’s equipment and unencumbered fixed assets are also eligible for operating financing. Most business owners realize that Canadian chartered banks generally do not allow you to monetize or borrow daily against equipment and fixed assets such as real estate. Asset finance, i.e. our asset based line of credit does just that? That is one of the reasons why it is significantly different.

So we have made the statement that asset finance solutions are becoming more and more popular everyday - why is this so? Think alternative, think liquidity, think ' less rules '. That’s what an asst based line of credit is all about. We tell our clients we haven’t seen one case where a customer’s asset based line of credit didn’t improve significantly from a viewpoint of borrowing power, with fewer rules.

What are those ' rules' we are referring to? Let's put it this way, you couldn’t measure our respect for the Canadian banking system in Canada - it’s immense. But the reality is that typically small and medium sized businesses in Canada - ( lets define that as , say anything from between 1 -30 Million in revenue ) are challenged when in comes to operating lines of credit .

Asset finance solutions via an ABL facility (ABL = asset based line of credit) remove a huge part of that challenge. They monetize assets, allowing you to borrow against them on a daily basis. Very little if any emphasis is placed on balance sheet ratios, profitability (it helps and is nice to be profitable though!) personal guarantees, or outside collateral.

Are asset based lending rates different from bank credit facilities? In some cases they actually are the same of better from a viewpoint of a pure rate discussion, where they differ is that if you firms facility size is under the 3 Million dollar range from a viewpoint of A/R and inventory balances. At this point you can expect to pay a significant premium compared to a bank line of credit.

Is the ' premium’ on asset based lending rates worth it to your firm? It absolutely isn’t worth it, IF... and thats a big IF... you don’t place value on increased borrowing power, the ability to borrow against your assets as you grow, as well as the increased flexibility around the terms and conditions of you facility . That’s a big IF..! and we think clients get our point when we say that any premium you might pay is easily justified .

Asset based lending rates have some other considerations also, but frankly they don’t differ all that much from any business financing facility - so you might be expected, depending on who you are dealing with , to pay an origination fee, a termination fee, and standard legal expenses to set up an securitize the facility .

Are asset based lines of credit becoming more popular in Canada - absolutely! Will they cost you more - maybe and maybe not - depending on the overall size and quality of the facility you require. Are the advantages of increased liquidity important for you - that’s for you to decide! Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor to learn more about asset finance solutions in Canada.
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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 7 years - has completed in excess of 50 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations .Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details :

http://www.parkavenuefinancial.com/asset_based_lending_rates_asset_finance_solutions.html

What will cash flow financing cost your firm and what working capital cash facilities make sense?

Cash flow financing is typically what makes or breaks your company as your firm grows or struggles to overcome temporary challenges. Working capital cash finance is a top priority for small and medium sized business in Canada.
We hate taking the easy way out for an answer to those concerns, so we'll attempt to provide some real world immediate solutions for that working capital challenge that is always top of mind.

We haven’t found anyone who does not disagree that working capital management tends to be the single most important measurement for your firm on a daily and ongoing basis - its always comes back to that ' cash flow is king' fellow!

If your liquidity is limited you need to recognize that. Your accountant, with all due respect will easily and quickly calculate your working capital and potentially advise you that you're in a great position. He or she does that by going to your balance sheet and subtracting current liabilities from current assets. Let’s say he or she came back and gave you the great news - that you have 4 dollars of current assets for every one dollar of payables. Sounds great so far, right?

Wrong, because you might find that your actual cash on hand is only .30 cents for every dollar of payables due, and all your money is tied up in - you guessed it, receivables and inventory that are slow paying and slow turning, respectively.
So the reality is you have great working capital only if you feel very comfortable that you can pay bills, loans, leases, employees, etc!! .. as they come due . We don’t meet a lot of business owners in the small and medium size business category that have that level of comfort.

So, why do you have a cash flow financing need, and what is the cost of a working capital cash facility that makes sense.
Sitting down with clients and talking about their cash flow needs often revolves around the same key issues they are going through : temporary financial losses, lack of long term financing ( i.e. buying or leasing non current assets without good long term debt solutions ) , and , you guessed it , your biggest problem - growth ! Dramatic increases in sales, as great as they sound, lead to cash flow financing needs.

An internal solution that will not cost you a lot and solve your working capital cash challenge is simply better turnover of receivables and inventory. That’s easy for us to say and difficult for you to achieve, right? So, how does Canadian business address that - it’s by monetizing receivables and inventory and in effect your future sales, via a cash flow financing facility.
If you firm is in a great industry, has clean balance sheets, and makes money your bank facility for a revolving line of credit will typically be in the 5-10% per annum range for cost of financing.

If your firm doesn’t qualify for bank financing should you abandon ship? Definitely not. Working capital financing via receivables financing and asset based lending can solve all your problems and in effect turn your firm into a cash flow machine.

That new found cash flow comes at a price, as rates can be in the 1% or 2% per month range, but you are actually paying that now by carrying A/R and inventory and losing out on the opportunity cost of turning capital into new sales and profits.
Speak to a trusted, credible and experience Canadian business financing advisor for your cash flow financing solution that makes optimal sense for your company.

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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 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/cash_flow_financing_working_capital_cash.html

The Advantage of Lease Financing When You Have the Right Equipment financing Company As A Partner

In your lease financing needs wouldn’t you like to have what they call the ' home team' advantage? Advantages in business are great, especially when your competitor is on the other side of that advantage! That's why we feel the right equpment financing company in effect becomes your home team advantage, as it becomes a partner and solution provider for your lease financing needs.

You probably have already decided why you are going to lease, rather than buy and purchase outright. We start telling clients about things like the tax advantages of equipment financing in Canada, depreciation strategies that follow tax benefits, their ability to manage obsolescence, adding in install and warranty and maintenance into the lease , etc,etc,etc ..... but do you know what ? All those benefits are great, but firms such as yours more often than not are mostly concerned about cash flow and the concern of drawing down on bank credit lines, etc for equipment that ultimately depreciates or has to be replaced.

So yes, you do need to know all those advantages, and focus on the ones that make the most sense for your company, so you can maximize them - but the bottom line is that lease financing is mostly regarded as a cash flow tool. The textbooks call it the most efficient use of your resources when you have limited capital - we simply call it a great way to conserve cash flow.

One of the advantages of lease financing is simply clearly that it covers you from low tech to hi tech. What do we mean by that, simply that all assets can be properly financed if you partner with the right equipment financing company. That goes from computers and technology that seems to depreciate one second after you purchase it, to your shop floor and office equpment that might give you useful economic benefits for years.

And hey, what about that other advantage - leasing to own, or leasing to use? Many clients aren’t aware they can structure whats known as an operating lease whereby they use the asset, minimize their cash flow outflows, and have maximum flexibility at the end of the lease financing transaction. What is that flexibility? They can utilize one of three options at the end of the term - they can buy the unit, return it, or upgrade/extend the transaction. Tell us that’s not flexibility?!

So we've laid out all those great advantages, but it is easy to find the right lease financing company. Clients are surprised to hear that there are hundreds of lease finance firms in Canada - some are huge, some are small, some are geographic, some don’t want your type of business, some are dying to find you and get your business and provide you with great rates, terms, and structures.

If you don’t have the time to approach a few hundred firms, meet them discuss your needs, and give them your financial statements is there a solution. There is. Speak to a Canadian business financing advisor who is trusted, credible and experienced in lease financing. Flexible Terms, documents and credit approval come quickly when you have the right equipment finance company as a partner.

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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 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/equipment_financing_company_lease_financing.html

How The Cost of Factoring Finance Makes Sense In Accounts Receivable Financing

Is it possible to overcome the working capital and cash flow challenge you face with a confidential accounts receive financing and factoring facility? And another thing what is the true cost of factoring finance.

Let's weigh in on those two issues and try and help you solve your Canadian business financing needs - our comments are mainly addressed to small and medium sized companies in Canada, but we can assure you the big boys come to talk to us about these problems also.

Problems we said... so what is that problem really. It’s simply that the ability to maintain ongoing liquidity continues to be the largest challenge in business today - simply put, the recession is over _ (the government sent us an email confirming that!) and your business is on track to grow again.

The ability to get proper business financing credit and the perceived cost of factoring finance is always a discussion point we have with clients. Working capital and cash flow are needed to keep up to your day to day operations, let alone grow your business in the manner that you want to.

We don’t want to be perceived as naysayer, so lets address our real subject here, which is accounts receivable financing, the cost of factoring financing ( that’s what it is commonly known as ) as well as the benefits of what we feel is the greatest secret in Canadian business today, a confidential invoice and receivable financing facility.

First of all, what is the facility, and is it somewhat non traditional or alternative in nature? A true accounts receivable financing strategy is actually quite simply - you enter into an arrangement to sell your sales as you generate them - receiving cash, the same day! That of course is better than waiting 1, 2, and yes dare we say 3 months to collect your A/R. That brings us nicely into the area of the cost of factoring finance - which in Canada ranges typically to 1.5-2% per month.

Isn’t that expensive, asks clients. We don’t think so, but you decide based on these facts. This charge, which is known in the industry as a discount fee, not an interest rate per se, can be significantly offset by your new ability to take supplier discounts in the same amount, as well as purchase more effectively. The positive intangible around this is that you will build better supplier relationships than your competitors probably have, simply because suppliers love being paid.

And don’t forget what we said early, which is that you , instead of waiting 60-90 days to get paid have cash flow to sell more and creates profits to offset this financing cost . So in summary the combo of increased cash flow to reduce payables, as well as your ability to in an unlimited based generate immediate cash flow for profits very clearly offset any perceived ' high financing costs '. (We have met customers who have negotiated 5% better pricing with their suppliers based on their new found ability to pay cash.

The best type of accounts receivable financing facility in Canada is what we call a confidential invoice discounting facility. You bill and collect your own invoices, unlike your competitors who use traditional factor financing. And factoring finance cost is the same!

Intrigued? Interested? Hopefully not confused! Investigate the benefits of accounts receivable factoring finance with the use of a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor. It’s a cash flow 101 great strategy.

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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 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/accounts_receivable_financing_cost_of_factoring.html

Canadian Film Projects Utilize Ontario Film Tax Credit Financing For Success

Most Canadian film projects (we’re referring to television and animation also) utilize Ontario film tax credit financing to complete their projects from a financial perspective. The proper use of these credits can enhance your overall ROI - aka return on investment.

The challenge for producers and owners of projects in our 3 named entertainment genres above is often quite simply to understand what the credits are - much less utilize them effectively. We'll try and address both issues.

Although we feel that film tax credits in Canada couldn't be more straightforward, things often become complicated probably simply because they are only one piece of your ' master plan ‘.
Again , we maintain the Canada film tax credits are very generous and the process for receiving them and financing is well defined, but , in defense of our clients they can be forgiven because some of the perceived complexity revolves around which province their production is domiciled in and what specify tax credits apply .And in the case of where you have a choice of utilizing one tax credit or another the question then becomes : ' What tax credit financing strategy brings my project the maximum benefits ?'

Clients seeking tax Ontario film tax credit financing, for example must ensure they have the puzzle solved. What's that puzzle - it’s simply what combo of equity, debt, and mezzanine type financing will maximize the tax credit. We hope that as business people you want to make the maximum profit possible on your project and venture. If you're the owner you will make less if you have to give up equity.

That is why using your tax credit as collateral enhances your overall return on investment and profit potential.

We read a great definition of mezzanine film financing awhile back - simply put it described the financing as the money in the middle between expensive equity or giving up ownership, and that other rock and hard place - paying interest and taking on debt for your project .

Ontario (we use that as an example - so our friends in BC, QUEBEC and Maritimes shouldn’t be offended) film tax credit financing uses your tax credit as the collateral for a large piece of your financing.

We've anticipated your next question - how large is large?! Realistically you can expect to recoup anywhere from 30-45% of your projects total costs in the form of a non repayable tax credit. And, when you know you are eligible for that tax credit then consider financing it to reduce the amount of real cash flow you need for your project. You in effect borrow against the value of the tax credit.

The ' reward’, if we can put it that way, for financing that 30-45% of your project is simply an interest rate charged on the value of the total tax credit due your project . 99.9% of producers and owners set up a separate legal entity for each project for financial and reporting reasons.

Using a quick example, say you had an independent production with a modest budge of 1 million dollars. If you have arranged 50% of that via equity in your project you need the additional 50% of that financing. If you were able to sell the rights for the project for 20% then the remaining 30% of your financing can be locked up quite nicely via film tax credit financing .

We don’t envy you around the challenges of raising equity, debt and mezzanine gap type financing for your projects. But take solace that Canadian film, TV and animation projects can be easily augmented with a significant amount of financing with the proper use of film tax credits.

Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced film tax credit financing advisor on your eligibility and the ability to finance your credits. Cut! That's a wrap.

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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 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/ontario_film_tax_credit_financing_canadian_film.html

Financing sr ed tax credit claims – Why a SRED Bridge Loan Make Sense

Purchased your lottery ticket yet? It's a 3 Billion dollar prize. That’s the feeling our clients have when they have secured their ticket (which is their sr Ed tax credit claim) to the three billion dollars the Canadian government provides each year for the Canadian SR&ED program. And the reality is with a properly submitted claim your odds of winning are much better than those lotteries - they approximate a 100% chance! We haven’t had those odds in our favor in awhile!

Let’s talk about why a sr&Ed bridge loan might make sense for the monetizing of the R&D non repayable grants that the government provides to Canadian firms who submit a claim for the program. Financing a sr ed tax credit claim allows you to cash flow, or monetize , however you want to call it your portion of the largest tax incentive program in Canada .

We have always told clients that the sr&Ed bridge loan makes sense, in our opinion, because it in essence fills the gap between your ability to get approved for the funds and receive those funds.

You have already made your commitment to R&D via your ability to innovate - so why no supercharge that innovation and turn those funds into cash. Financing sr Ed tax credit claim strategies provide your firm with the capital you need to further innovate and of course run your business.

We know by experience with our clients that many of the firms who participate in Canada's Sred program are whats known as pre revenue firms to finance professionals - in other terminology you're a start up, or very close to it. Accessing capital is hard when you are a start up - your firm simply doesn’t have the sales, profits, and the corresponding balance sheet and income statements to support the borrowing of capital.

If you're an established business and you have accounts receivable they can be financed of course. Well, guess what, you do have an account receivable that can be financed, it’s simply that it is known by another name - it’s your sr&Ed claim! A SR&ED bridge loan becomes an external source of capital that you otherwise might not be access based on traditional borrowing requirements.

A great strategy is simply to take advantage of financing sr ed tax credit claim and invest those funds in marketing the viability of your innovation that you achieved via the sr ed process . That is when a sr&Ed bridge loan makes total sense.

Capital is critical to any firm, whether you are the start up we just talked about, or an established firm simply desiring to grow your competitive edge and finance your business on an ongoing basis. Banks, venture capitalists, and private equity investors, etc don’t really finance sred claims.

In order to facilitate the financing of your calim seek an independent finance firm that specializes in this area. A trusted , credible and experience Canadian business financing advisor can have a sr&ed bridge loan completed in a couple of weeks with your firms full co operation . A simple application, a copy of your sred filing, and the normal due diligence associated with any business financing can be completed very quickly and efficiently.

Does it make sense to finance your sr&Ed claim - we think we’ve shown it has. The sred financing closes the gap between your innovation and the continued commercialization of your products and services, providing you with capital to maintain your competitive edge.
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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 7 years - has completed in excess of 50 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations .Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details :

http://www.parkavenuefinancial.com/financing_sr_ed_tax_credit_claims_sred_bridge_loan.html