How do you finance a franchise in the UK?
To fund a franchise, you can combine a government-backed Start Up Loan (up to £25,000 per founder at 6% fixed), high street bank franchise lending programmes and alternative business finance through a multi-lender commercial finance broker like Fundably. Franchisees benefit from a unique position in the lending market: they are buying into a proven business model with an established brand, which makes them lower-risk borrowers than most startups.
The key differences when seeking franchise funding:
- Lenders often require the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and the franchise agreement
- The franchisor’s own lending panel (if available) can offer competitive rates
- Some banks have dedicated franchise lending teams with pre-approved panels
- Startup loan rules often do not apply, and franchisees may qualify for higher amounts
How much can you borrow for a franchise?
The amount varies significantly depending on:
- The franchise brand and its track record
- The total investment required (franchise fee + fit-out + working capital)
- Your personal credit profile and any collateral
Typical funding requirements by franchise type:
| Franchise type | Typical total investment | Funding generally available |
|---|---|---|
| Service franchise (home care, cleaning) | £10,000–£50,000 | £5,000–£40,000 |
| Food & beverage | £50,000–£500,000 | £25,000–£300,000 |
| Retail | £100,000–£1,000,000 | £50,000–£600,000+ |
| Established QSR franchise | £250,000–£1,000,000+ | £150,000–£800,000+ |
Most lenders expect franchisees to contribute 30–50% of the total investment from personal funds.
What are the main franchise funding options?
High street bank franchise lending
Barclays, NatWest, HSBC and Lloyds all have dedicated franchise lending programmes. Branches typically have lists of pre-approved franchise brands that can access lending on more favourable terms. Best for: established franchise brands with a documented track record.
Government-backed Start Up Loan
If you are starting a franchise for the first time and have been trading for less than 36 months, you may qualify for a Start Up Loan (£500–£25,000 per founder, no security required, fixed 6% interest over 1–5 years). Note: some franchise fees exceed the maximum loan amount.
Alternative business finance
For franchisees who struggle with traditional bank lending (newer franchisors, less well-known brands or applicants with impaired credit history), alternative lenders on Fundably’s panel of 50+ lenders, including iwoca, Funding Circle, Nucleus Commercial Finance and OakNorth, offer:
- Secured and unsecured term loans
- Asset finance for equipment and fit-out
- Working capital lines for cash flow management post-launch
Franchisor funding
Some established franchisors (notably McDonald’s, Subway and certain care franchise groups) fund franchisees directly or have arrangements with preferred lenders. Always ask the franchisor whether they have an approved lending panel before approaching banks independently.
What documents do you need for a franchise loan application?
- Signed franchise agreement or Letter of Intent
- Franchisor’s Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD)
- Your personal bank statements (last 3–6 months)
- Business plan and cash flow forecast (often provided by the franchisor)
- Details of your personal contribution
- CV demonstrating relevant experience
How long does franchise funding take to arrange?
Timescales depend on the route you take:
- Alternative lenders: decisions in 24-48 hours are common for unsecured term loans, with funds released within a week of approval. Lenders such as iwoca and Funding Circle run largely automated underwriting for smaller facilities.
- High street bank franchise programmes: typically 4-8 weeks from application to drawdown, longer if the brand is not on the bank’s pre-approved panel or if security needs to be valued.
- Start Up Loans: usually 2-4 weeks, including the business plan review.
If your franchise agreement has a deadline for paying the initial fee, start the funding process as early as possible. A signed Letter of Intent is normally enough to begin applications, so you do not need to wait for the final agreement.
What does franchise funding cost?
Pricing reflects the strength of the franchise brand, your personal contribution and whether the loan is secured:
- Start Up Loans are fixed at 6% per year with no arrangement fees.
- Bank franchise lending for established brands typically ranges from around 7% to 12% per year, sometimes with arrangement fees of 1-2% of the facility.
- Alternative unsecured lending generally ranges from about 10% to 25% per year depending on trading history and credit profile.
- Asset finance for fit-out and equipment is usually cheaper than unsecured borrowing because the asset itself acts as security.
Always compare the total cost of borrowing rather than the headline rate. A shorter term at a higher rate can cost less overall than a long term at a lower rate.
How do you compare franchise funding offers?
Apply through a multi-lender commercial finance broker to compare offers in parallel without multiple hard credit searches. Fundably’s 50+ lender panel includes lenders who specialise in franchise finance, with a soft credit check at the matching stage.
Apply through Fundably to compare franchise funding offers from 50+ lenders.
