How much money do I need to buy a franchise?
Most franchise systems publish two minimums in Item 7 of their Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD): liquid capital and net worth. Liquid capital is cash and near-cash you can deploy at closing, typically $50,000 to $500,000 depending on the brand. Net worth is total assets minus total liabilities, typically $150,000 to $2,000,000. Some emerging or low-cost brands set the bar at $25,000 liquid and $100,000 net worth. Premium brands like Chick-fil-A or major QSR multi-unit deals can require $1 million+ liquid.
What is the difference between liquid capital and net worth?
Liquid capital is what you can write a check from today: bank accounts, money market funds, brokerage accounts you are willing to liquidate, and (sometimes) retirement accounts available through ROBS. Net worth is the total picture: liquid plus illiquid assets (home equity, investment property, business interests, vehicles) minus all liabilities (mortgage, student loans, credit card balances). Franchisors require minimum levels of both because liquid covers the equity injection at closing while net worth signals the buyer can absorb operating losses in early months.
Where do franchises publish their financial requirements?
Item 7 of the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) lists the estimated initial investment range. The FDD itself is the primary source. Franchisor websites, franchise broker sites, and aggregator listings often cite different numbers, sometimes the floor of the range. The full investment includes the franchise fee, build-out and equipment, opening inventory, working capital for the first 3 to 6 months, training and travel expenses, grand opening marketing, and other line items disclosed in Item 7. The published FDD is the definitive figure.
Can I buy a franchise with less liquid capital than the minimum?
Sometimes. Many franchisors negotiate liquid capital floors for qualified buyers with strong credit, relevant experience, or net worth significantly above the minimum. SBA 7(a) financing covers the gap between liquid capital and total investment for buyers in the SBA Franchise Registry, with a 10 percent down payment from the buyer's personal funds typical. ROBS structures let buyers use 401(k) or IRA funds for the equity injection without a taxable distribution. Family lending and partner equity also fill liquid capital gaps.
Does the franchise affordability checker recommend a specific franchise?
No. The tool runs a factual match between your financial inputs and the published Item 7 minimums of franchises in the database. It does not weight brands by ROI, growth, satisfaction scores, or any qualitative factor. A high match score means the brand will not disqualify you on financial grounds; it does not mean the brand is a good fit for your skills, market, or risk tolerance. Use the result as a starting filter, not a recommendation.
What other costs should I plan for beyond the FDD investment range?
Item 7 covers the upfront investment but rarely includes the buyer's personal living expenses during ramp-up, business loan closing costs and SBA fees, real estate due diligence and lease negotiation legal fees, working capital reserves beyond the 3 to 6 months disclosed, and any unit-level shortfalls in early months that the buyer absorbs personally. A 15 to 25 percent reserve above the FDD high-end estimate is a reasonable cushion for first-time franchisees.