Answer 10 questions about your deal and buyer profile. Get a Financing Readiness Score (0 to 100) with specific loan-type recommendations across SBA 7(a), CSBFP, seller financing, and ROBS.
US + Canada · 2026 rates · Not a credit score or lending decision
Your profile
Financing readiness score
Possible with the Right Lender
Traditional bank financing may be challenging - but you have strong options.
Alternative financing paths
Seller financing
Ask the franchisor or seller to carry 20–40% of the purchase price. Reduces your bank requirement significantly.
Franchisor financing programs
Many brands (7-Eleven, Subway, UPS Store) offer in-house financing or preferred lender programs with relaxed criteria.
ROBS - Rollover for Business Startups
Use retirement savings (401k / RRSP) to fund the purchase tax-penalty-free. Requires a C-corp. Setup cost ~$5K–$10K.
SBA Microloan
Up to $50K (US) through nonprofit intermediaries. Suitable for smaller deals or as a gap-fill alongside other funding.
Get matched with a lender
A franchise financing specialist will review your profile and reach out - free, no obligation.
Your information is never sold. Specialists are vetted franchise lenders only.
Estimates only. Score is not a credit score or lending decision. SBA 7(a) monthly payment assumes prime ~7.5% + 3.75% spread (2026), 10-year term. Actual approval depends on lender underwriting and documentation. CSBFP terms set by participating Canadian banks.
The score weighs five inputs against the qualification thresholds published by the SBA, the BDC, and major US and Canadian banks for business acquisition financing.
Three buyer profiles and the loan structures they map to. Run your own profile in the calculator above for a personalized readiness score.
SBA preferred lenders generally require a minimum personal credit score of 680, two or more years of relevant industry or management experience, a 10 percent down payment from verified personal funds, and a target business with at least two years of stable tax returns showing a debt service coverage ratio of 1.25x or higher. Meeting SBA minimums does not guarantee approval. Lenders set their own underwriting overlays on top of SBA rules.
A financing readiness score is a composite measure of how likely a buyer profile is to be approved for the financing structures most appropriate to a given deal. The FundBizPro readiness score combines credit profile, time in business, deal size, industry, and use of funds into a 0 to 100 number, then maps that score to specific loan structures the buyer should investigate first. It is not a credit score and not a lending decision.
For most US business acquisitions, SBA 7(a) is the starting point because of the 10 percent down payment, 10-year term, and rate caps tied to prime. SBA 504 is worth comparing if commercial real estate above $500,000 is part of the deal. Conventional bank financing is faster but typically requires 20 to 30 percent down. Seller financing fills gaps in any deal. ROBS (Rollover for Business Startups) is useful when the buyer has $50,000 or more in retirement funds available.
SBA preferred lenders typically close in 60 to 90 days from a complete application. Non-preferred SBA lenders add 2 to 4 weeks for SBA review. Conventional bank loans are similar. Online and alternative lenders can fund in 7 to 30 days but at materially higher rates. The single biggest delay is document collection from the seller. Pre-organize tax returns, P&L, balance sheet, and lease assignment before approaching a lender.
SBA 7(a) acquisition loans typically require 10 percent down from verified personal funds when the file is clean. Some structures require 20 to 30 percent, particularly when the business carries significant goodwill above tangible asset value or when the buyer has limited industry experience. Seller financing can sometimes substitute for part of the equity injection if the seller note is fully subordinated and on standby for the loan term.
Yes. The calculator handles both US and Canadian deals. For Canadian buyers, the readiness score maps to CSBFP (Canada Small Business Financing Program), BDC term loans, and private lender alternatives instead of SBA programs. The CSBFP supports loans up to $1.15 million for equipment and real property, with up to 90 percent of the loan guaranteed by the government, but excludes goodwill and working capital.