Want To Buy A Franchise? Need A Loan ? Here’s Your GPS to Loans for Franchises in Canada!

A Roadmap To Successful Canadian Financing For Franchises


Information on the proper method of obtaining a franchise loan in Canada . Loans for franchises are significantly different than regular business loans. Use this information as a roadmap and guide to franchising success when you buy a franchised business.





So... you want to buy a franchise. Why then our analogy to a GPS system? Simply because that type of gadget these days provides you with a road map for not getting lost, and from our perspective getting a franchise loan is the last place where you want to be lost and not knowing your position . Make sense? We think so.

Loans for franchises in Canada can be a combination of an exhilarating process and a frustrating one - the former referring to being approved and the latter referencing our conversations with clients who have been frustrated by the process.

Let share some solid ' road map' type information on ensuring you minimize the time and risk when you buy a franchise and consider a franchise loan. The reality is that in many ways we could make a case that ownership via a franchise business is actually significantly less risky that other types of businesses which are viewed as 'start up ' in nature.

The challenge becomes knowing which institutions and programs will make your franchise investment happen. It's a common fact that a large majority of business funding requests by entrepreneurs fail simply because they are poorly presented. So knowing how you can easily prequalify yourself, and putting together a basic package that presents yourself and your new business in the best manner is well, worth its weight in ' money ‘!.

In Canada franchises can be financed from a turnkey point of view, or in some cases you may wish to acquire a franchise from an existing franchisee in the system you are looking at. It's ironic, but one of the lesser know but larger challenges in the Canadian landscape is the ability of current franchisee's to add additional units to their first location .

So is it possible to prequalify yourself? We assure clients that a large part of that process can be done by themselves. They must demonstrate some level of either specific industry or general business experience, while also showing the lender that they have run their personal lives from a financial perspective in a manner that reflects solid stewardship. That means having a solid credit bureau score (650 tends to be the magic number) and it certainly helps to have assets such as a home, savings, etc.

We don’t suggest or recommend to clients that they leverage all or a very large amount of assets when considering loans for franchises. But certainly anywhere from 10-50% of a purchase price typically needs to be covered off by the franchisee. That’s your ' owner equity '.

You establish the amount of financing you need by putting together a fundamental business plan around your opening balance sheet. That will reflect your own cash investment, funds you have spent already, and what is needed to get you to a turnkey grand opening! That typically is equipment, leaseholds, perhaps real estate, etc.

In Canada franchise loan financing is generally done via an independent commercial finance company or the bank. But when we say the bank we are actually referring to the CSBF program which has provided thousands of franchise loans at terms typically enjoyed by established businesses.

So is there a guaranteed GPS road map to a business franchise loan. Never 100% but you can get very close to that by pre qualifying yourself realistically, putting together a solid package, and ensuring you know who finances loans for franchises in Canada. Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor for access to your road map for financing success.



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_loan_loans_for_franchises_buy.html

Going It Alone In Canadian Franchise Loan Financing ? Business Franchising Loans

Don’t listen to them. Many will of course tell you it might be dangerous to ' go it alone ' when you are looking for franchising financing loans.

Can you actually get a business franchise loan without any outside help? Its certainly , possible , and we'll share some advice, tips, strategies and info around your potential do it yourself strategy - but we'll also demonstrate why some professional assistance along the way will ensure the success you are looking for in your franchise business acquisition .

There are of course some real potential pitfalls along the way on your road to franchising success. You want to be sure of course, to the extent that you can be, that your business will be profitable. But all business is of course a risk, whether it’s General Motors or your vision of your own service or restaurant business as an example. It is critical to make the most of the opportunities you have to examine profit potential. Those profits by the way are of course what pay back those franchise finance loans!

Along the way on your franchise journey you have numerous methods of determining financial success. A good start is looking closely at your franchisors prospectus and information, - even though that info might be for ' average ‘ franchisees it gives you a good sense of profit potential versus risk .

Don’t forget of course that your risk is that you are no only borrowing funds for the franchise but that your own personal equity injection into the business is a key part of the overall franchise financing package you will eventually come up with . So work to minimize the risk of franchise business failure.

Get your costs in order and understood. That’s some of the best advice we can provide. We advise clients to look at the total picture, which includes soft costs and hard costs, some of which can be financed, not all. Typically we recommend your owner equity be used to cover those ' soft costs' such as the franchise fee, etc.

Try also to match revenues with expenses - it might make perfect sense to lease some of those ' hard assets ' in the franchise to match the economic benefits you will receive from those assets with the useful economic life of the asset. Want a simple explanation of that? Example: If you're starting a restaurant and a large fridge or cooler is, say 75,000.00 doesn’t it make sense to finance that at say 2k per month on a lease as opposed to using valuable equity and working capital and paying cash. We think so. Wouldn’t you?

So how are franchises actually financing in Canada. We focus on a total package that might include a franchise term loan, a working capital loan, and the appropriate amount of external financing through a financial vehicle such as an equipment lease. Here's the big surprise in Canadian franchise loan financing - simply that the majority of franchises are financed with the government loan program called the BIL / CSBF program. By the way, it has incredible rates, terms, structures, and a limited personal guarantee. What more could you ask for.

So, in summary, is it possible to go it alone in Canadian business franchising financing? It is, but a better solution might be to work with a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business finance advisor who will craft your package according to financial available and your particular situation and needs. Going it alone, but with a suitable partner when needed is a good thing sometimes!



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_loan_financing_franchising_business.html

The Secret Ingredients In Canadian Franchise Loan Finance - Making Loans For Franchise Work

Ingredients - The dictionary defines that word as elements required for a plan. No, we're not baking a cake here, we're going to instead define some key ingredients for a franchise loan in Canada - Your ability to successfully arrange and get approved for franchise loans for your new business is of course one key to your future success .

We noted a ' plan ‘, as referenced above. We're the first to admit that franchising is as hot and popular as every, so there is sufficient proof out there you can succeed - thousands of franchisees all over Canada and the U.S. have taken the plunge and have become entrepreneurial successes.

But is it possible to fail? Unfortunately yes... and even if you have a plan but have a poor franchise loan finance strategy in place for your business, coupled with your inability to fit the mold for your franchisors plan... well you know the rest. Those are some of the ' soft areas ' of potential failure, i.e. things like people skills, ability to manage a business, or simply not keeping to your franchisors formula... those are all ingredients for failure .

But our ingredients are today focusing on the hard factors getting loans for franchise finance in Canada.

Two of the most important ingredients to your success are your ability to make a reasonable equity investment into your new business, so that you are both not burdened with debt, but at the same time meet the criteria for specialized franchise loan programs that exist in Canada.

While one or two firms in Canada specialize in large multi million dollar loans for well known larger business blue chip type franchises the majority of clients we meet tend to be looking at a restaurant or service type franchise that typically comes in at the 200- 400k range.

So what key ingredients are part of the recipe for franchise financing success. They are, in our opinion, as follows - maximizing your ability to qualify for special franchise loan scenarios as offered by Industry Canada's BIL / CSBF program. This program alone finances most of the franchises in Canada and can help you turn your dream and passion for a franchise purchase into reality.

We're going to assume you have thoroughly researched your business and you've got what it takes, include some experience or relevant management background for the industry. What else is required for the financing plan?

Some of those key ingredients are a business plan, prepared by yourself or a professional, and by the way ... a few words about that plan. It doesn’t have to be 100 pages. It should be a clean simple document highlighting yourself, your franchisor, the industry, and most importantly, take some time to make sure the numbers work. Make cash flow assumptions that are reasonable; and by the way, don't forget to show the lender how they are going to get paid back for the franchise loan,

The majority of loans for franchise in Canada do fall under the BIl loan program we mentioned. It has great rates, terms and structures considering you are in effect a start up business.

Have we forgotten any other secret ingredients? Perhaps one, which is your own credit history. Franchisees with a decent personal credit history have a much greater chance of success. Yes, you might have a good down payment and some solid collateral or assets in the business, but that personal credit history dictates how you run your personal financial life, which transcends clearly into your new franchise business.

Focus on all these key ingredients when you are getting down to applying for a loan for a franchise. To ensure maximum success you might want to lay out a simply basic plan of action with a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can assist you in ensuring those ingredients translate into a perfect recipe - franchise finance approval!

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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/franchise_loan_finance_loans_for.html