For a U.S. buyer, start by asking participating Small Business Administration (SBA) lenders about a 7(a) loan: the program can finance a complete or partial change of business ownership and may also cover eligible working capital and specified equipment, furniture, fixtures, and supplies. It is not a direct loan from the SBA, and eligibility does not guarantee approval. First map the full project cost, check the exact brand in the SBA Franchise Directory, and prepare the financial and transaction documents a lender will need to assess the deal.
Map the full project before choosing a loan
A franchise purchase price is only one part of the financing need. Build a project budget that separates the ownership purchase from the cash and assets needed to complete the transaction and operate the restaurant.
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- Acquisition: identify the price for the business and any transfer or transaction costs. Ask the lender which specific costs, if any, qualify for financing.
- Working capital: estimate the cash needed to operate after closing, using realistic assumptions rather than relying only on the seller’s projections.
- Equipment and other assets: list required equipment, furniture, fixtures, and supplies, and distinguish these from any real estate purchase.
- Buyer funds: calculate what you can contribute while retaining cash for post-closing needs. The required contribution depends on current rules, lender policy, and the transaction.
This breakdown helps a lender match each proposed use to a financing route and assess whether the business can support the resulting debt.
Consider SBA 7(a) for the ownership change
The SBA’s 7(a) loan program is a broad route to discuss for a restaurant franchise acquisition because permitted uses include complete or partial changes of ownership, working capital, and specified equipment, furniture, fixtures, and supplies. The program maximum is $5 million; that is not a promised loan amount or a restaurant-specific limit.
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You apply through a participating lender, not by borrowing directly from SBA. SBA says, “You will always work directly with your lender and not with SBA.” The SBA guarantee supports the lender; it is not a guarantee that a particular buyer or deal will be approved.
Among the program’s eligibility requirements, the business must be U.S.-based, for-profit, and small under SBA rules; it must be creditworthy and able to repay; and it must be unable to obtain the desired credit on reasonable terms from non-government sources. The lender applies SBA rules and its own underwriting to the buyer, business, and transaction. Review the SBA’s 7(a) program overview and eligibility requirements, then confirm your intended uses and structure with a lender.
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Check the franchise brand in the SBA directory
Search the exact brand in the SBA Franchise Directory and ask the lender to verify the correct application path. The directory is updated weekly, so check it again when you apply. Its current listing information is dated: the SBA directory effective September 29, 2026, was last updated October 2, 2026.
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Directory placement is an eligibility-evaluation step, not a recommendation or a promise of business success. SBA states: “Placement of a franchise brand in the Directory is not an endorsement or approval of the brand and does not ensure the success of the business.”
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Use SBA 504 only for a qualifying fixed-asset component
If the project includes eligible real estate or equipment, ask whether an SBA 504 structure could finance that fixed-asset portion. SBA’s lender overview describes a general structure of up to 50% private-sector lender financing, up to 40% through a CDC loan backed by an SBA-guaranteed debenture, and at least 10% borrower equity. These are program-level figures, not a determination that a particular restaurant project qualifies; additional requirements may apply.
The stated 504 uses focus on fixed assets such as land, buildings, and equipment. Do not assume the program will fund franchise rights, goodwill, or the entire business purchase. A lender and CDC must assess whether the transaction can be structured around qualifying assets. See the SBA lender overview of the 504 program.
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Compare financing routes against your actual deal
| Route | Potential role | Confirm before relying on it |
|---|---|---|
| SBA 7(a) through a participating lender | Ownership change and potentially eligible working capital and specified assets | Eligibility, approved uses, repayment capacity, rate type, term, fees, required contribution, collateral, guarantees, and how seller financing affects the structure. These details are buyer- and lender-specific. |
| SBA 504 through a lender and CDC | Financing for qualifying fixed assets such as land, buildings, or equipment | Asset eligibility, project structure, borrower contribution, lender and CDC portions, maturity, fees, and whether the eligible assets can be separated from the broader acquisition. |
| Seller financing or other private financing | A negotiated component, if offered and acceptable to the lender | Seller willingness, payment and subordination terms, lender treatment, total debt service, and documentation. Availability is not assured. |
| Buyer equity | Funds contributed toward closing and the project | Required injection under current rules and lender policy, source and seasoning of funds, and cash retained for operations. Do not assume a universal down-payment percentage. |
Prepare a lender-ready diligence file
Before committing, reconcile the seller’s financial picture with the proposed price and the ongoing obligations attached to the location and franchise. SBA’s guidance on buying an existing business or franchise recommends an objective investigation and notes that buyers may want help from an attorney and accountant.
Documents SBA identifies as useful examples include a letter of intent, confidentiality agreement, contracts and leases, financial statements, tax returns, sales agreement, and purchase-price adjustment. Ask the lender for its specific application checklist; required documents vary by lender and transaction.
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- Compare historical financial statements and tax returns with the seller’s claims and projections.
- Review the lease, assignment requirements, remaining term, and obligations with qualified advisers.
- Identify franchise fees, required purchases, renovations, and other expenditures under the franchise documents.
- Test working-capital assumptions and whether projected cash flow can support debt repayment.
- Document the purchase-price allocation and any adjustment mechanics in the sales agreement.
Approach lenders and compare complete offers
- Assemble the project summary: state whether you are buying the whole business or a partial ownership interest, itemize intended uses, describe your relevant experience, and summarize available buyer funds and financial evidence.
- Contact participating 7(a) lenders: use SBA’s Lender Match or another suitable lender channel. SBA says the lender will specify the documents needed for an application.
- Ask about 504 separately: if real estate or equipment is part of the project, ask whether an identifiable portion qualifies and how it would fit alongside any acquisition financing.
- Compare the written terms: evaluate total cash required at closing, fixed or variable rate, term and amortization, fees, collateral, personal guarantees, prepayment provisions, debt-service requirements, and conditions related to franchise approval, lease assignment, or seller financing.
- Confirm the current rules for your application: SBA’s SOP 50 10 version 8.1 technical updates became effective October 1, 2026. Have the participating lender apply the current rules to your actual transaction rather than relying on a generic online down-payment figure.
For a specific deal, the reviewed SBA program sources do not establish the buyer’s equity injection, seller-note treatment, collateral, personal guarantee, likely interest rate, minimum cash flow, approval odds, or closing timeline. Those terms require the lender’s underwriting and review of the buyer’s funds, seller records, lease, franchise documents, and purchase agreement.
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