SBA financing, POS, payroll, multi-unit management, and accounting picks for franchisees.
Financing comes first for franchise owners — SBA 7(a) is the primary vehicle for franchise acquisition (up to $5M, 10-year terms), and the SBA maintains a Franchise Directory that pre-approves lending to verified franchise brands. Verify your brand is on the SBA Franchise Directory before applying. Once funded, choose a POS and accounting software that satisfies franchisor reporting requirements — most franchisors specify formats in the FDD.
SBA 7(a) loans are the primary vehicle for franchise financing: up to $5 million, 10-year terms, and FDD-verified lenders on the SBA Franchise Directory. ClearValue matches you to SBA lenders familiar with your specific franchise brand.
Clover's multi-location dashboard lets a franchisee or multi-unit owner see sales, voids, and labor across all locations in one view. Hardware ships pre-configured — faster to open.
Multi-location payroll with automatic state tax filings and workers' comp integration. Gusto scales from a single franchised unit to a multi-location portfolio without switching platforms.
Franchisors often require QBO-formatted royalty and P&L reporting. Starting in QBO also means lenders see financials in the format they already know when you apply for a second or third unit.
Franchisors typically specify minimum GL and property coverage levels in the FDD. Next Insurance issues COIs instantly online — meeting franchisor requirements without waiting on a broker.
A dedicated franchise checking account separates royalty payments, vendor invoices, and payroll from the owner's personal finances — required by most SBA lenders and most franchisors.
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SBA 7(a) loans are the most common financing vehicle for franchise acquisitions — they offer up to $5 million, 10-year repayment terms, and lower down payment requirements than conventional loans. The SBA Franchise Directory pre-approves lending to specific brands, which speeds up the underwriting process.
The SBA Franchise Directory lists franchise brands reviewed and approved for SBA lending. If your brand is on the directory, the SBA has already verified the franchise agreement structure — removing a major underwriting hurdle. Always confirm directory status before starting a loan application.
Clover's multi-location dashboard allows franchise owners to view sales, voids, and labor across all units in one view. Toast POS is the standard for food-service franchise concepts. Most franchise systems either mandate or strongly prefer a specific POS — check your FDD before selecting a system.
Franchise lenders typically require 2 years of personal and business tax returns, 12 months of business bank statements, a personal financial statement, and a pro forma P&L for the franchise unit. QuickBooks Online in the format franchisors require satisfies most lender documentation requests.
The SBA Franchise Directory lists franchise brands pre-approved for SBA 7(a) lending. Franchisees must verify their brand is listed before applying.