Turn your franchise equity into cash. Access capital for expansion, debt consolidation, or personal investments while potentially lowering your monthly payments.
Access up to 80% of your franchise's appraised value in cash
Often get better rates than unsecured loans or credit lines
Interest may be tax deductible for business purposes
Calculate how much cash you can extract from your franchise equity
Calculate how much cash you can extract from your franchise equity
Typically 70-80% for commercial properties
Connect with commercial lenders who specialize in franchise cash-out refinancing. Get competitive rates and expert guidance on maximizing your equity extraction.
Professional valuation determines your franchise's current market value
Subtract existing debt from appraised value to determine available equity
Refinance for more than you owe and receive the difference in cash
Invest in expansion, consolidate debt, or fund personal goals
Cash-out refinancing allows franchise owners to refinance their existing business loan for more than they currently owe and receive the difference in cash. For example, if your franchise is worth $800,000 and you owe $400,000, you might refinance for $640,000 (80% of value), pay off the $400,000 existing loan, and receive $240,000 in cash to use for any purpose.
Most lenders allow you to refinance up to 75-80% of your franchise's appraised value. The exact amount depends on your business's cash flow, your creditworthiness, and the lender's requirements. For a franchise worth $1 million, you might access $750,000-$800,000 total, minus your existing debt. Strong-performing franchises may qualify for higher loan-to-value ratios.
Cash-out refinancing rates for franchises typically range from 7-12%, depending on your credit score, business performance, loan amount, and current market conditions. Established franchises with strong cash flow often qualify for rates on the lower end. Rates are usually higher than traditional business loans but lower than unsecured financing options.
The cash-out refinancing process typically takes 30-60 days from application to closing. This includes time for business appraisal (7-14 days), underwriting and approval (14-21 days), and final documentation (7-14 days). Complex transactions or additional documentation requirements can extend the timeline. Working with experienced commercial lenders can help expedite the process.
Key requirements include: minimum credit score of 650-700, strong business cash flow (typically 1.25x debt service coverage), business operating profitably for 2+ years, current business appraisal, personal guarantee from owners, and sufficient equity in the business. Lenders also evaluate the franchise brand strength, location quality, and market conditions.
Yes, most cash-out refinancing requires personal guarantees from business owners with 20% or more ownership. This means you're personally liable for the debt if the business cannot pay. Some lenders may accept limited guarantees or reduce personal liability for very strong businesses, but full personal guarantees are standard for most franchise cash-out refinancing.
Franchise valuation typically uses multiple approaches: income approach (based on cash flow multiples), market approach (comparable sales), and asset approach (tangible assets). Most appraisers focus on cash flow multiples of 2-4x annual cash flow, depending on the franchise brand, location, and market conditions. Strong franchises in growing markets command higher multiples.
Most lenders require you to own and operate the franchise for at least 2 years before cash-out refinancing. This "seasoning" period allows lenders to evaluate your management performance and business stability. However, if you purchased an existing franchise with strong historical performance, some lenders may consider shorter seasoning periods, especially for experienced operators.
Cash-out refinancing can be excellent for expansion if: you have a proven track record, the expansion markets are strong, you can manage increased debt service, and the expansion ROI exceeds your borrowing cost. Consider that you're leveraging your existing successful business to fund growth. Ensure you maintain adequate cash flow coverage and don't over-leverage your business.
Compare the cost of cash-out refinancing to alternatives: calculate the effective interest rate including fees, compare to other financing options (SBA loans, equipment financing, etc.), evaluate the return on investment for your intended use of funds, and ensure your business can comfortably service the increased debt. If your use of funds generates returns higher than your borrowing cost, it likely makes sense.
The cash you receive is not taxable income since it's borrowed money. However, interest payments may be tax-deductible if funds are used for business purposes. If you use proceeds for personal investments, the deductibility may be limited. Consult with a tax professional to understand the specific implications for your situation and optimize your tax strategy.
Cash-out refinancing can positively impact business credit if managed properly. It may improve your credit utilization ratio if you pay down other debts, establish a payment history with a new lender, and demonstrate your ability to manage larger debt amounts. However, it also increases your total debt load, so maintaining strong cash flow and making timely payments is crucial.
Required documents include: 3 years of business tax returns, personal tax returns, current financial statements (P&L, balance sheet, cash flow), bank statements (6-12 months), franchise agreement and disclosure documents, lease agreements, business licenses, and existing loan documents. Having organized, complete documentation significantly speeds up the approval process.
Typical costs include: business appraisal ($3,000-$10,000), legal fees ($2,000-$5,000), lender origination fees (1-3% of loan amount), title insurance and recording fees, environmental assessments if required, and accounting fees for financial documentation. Total costs typically range from 2-5% of the loan amount. Some costs may be financed into the loan.
Yes, shopping around is recommended to find the best terms. Different lenders have varying appetites for franchise financing, risk tolerance, and pricing models. Compare interest rates, fees, loan terms, and service quality. However, be mindful that multiple credit inquiries can temporarily impact your credit score, so try to submit applications within a 14-45 day window when possible.
Your existing loan is paid off completely as part of the refinancing process. The new lender will coordinate the payoff with your current lender, handle the transfer of collateral/liens, and ensure clear title transfer. You'll receive any remaining funds after payoff, closing costs, and fees. Make sure to account for any prepayment penalties on your existing loan.
Key risks include: increased debt service reducing cash flow flexibility, business as collateral (risk of loss if unable to pay), market volatility affecting business value, over-leveraging limiting future financing options, and personal guarantee exposure. Economic downturns, increased competition, or franchise performance issues could make debt service challenging. Maintain conservative debt-to-income ratios.
Alternatives include: business lines of credit (more flexible but often higher rates), SBA loans for expansion (lower rates but specific use requirements), equipment financing (for specific purchases), investor partnerships (no debt but shared ownership), selling a portion of the business, or traditional business loans. Each has different costs, requirements, and implications for your business control.
Protection strategies include: maintaining strong cash flow reserves (6-12 months of expenses), diversifying your use of proceeds rather than putting everything in one investment, ensuring your business can service debt even if revenue drops 20-30%, obtaining appropriate insurance coverage, working with experienced professionals (attorneys, accountants), and having contingency plans for economic downturns.
Avoid cash-out refinancing when: your business cash flow is declining or unstable, you're already highly leveraged, you plan to sell the business soon, the intended use of funds is speculative or high-risk, interest rates are significantly higher than your current loan, or you're considering it for lifestyle purchases rather than investments. Focus on business fundamentals first.