Key Takeaways
- Franchises offer former H-2B workers a proven business system and brand to operate under
- Bankable funds franchise businesses $25K–$5M based on franchise revenue — no green card required
- Franchise fee, build-out, and working capital financing all available
- SBA 2026 rule eliminated non-citizen franchise owners from all SBA programs
- 48-hour approvals for qualified franchise businesses
Franchises: A Proven Path for Former H-2B Entrepreneurs
Franchises are an excellent business option for former H-2B workers because they provide a proven operating system, established brand recognition, and training and support that can substitute for years of independent business experience. Many former H-2B workers have successfully launched franchise businesses in cleaning services (Jan-Pro, Anago), food service (Subway, Dunkin'), home services (Servpro, Molly Maid), and transportation sectors.
The SBA 2026 citizenship rule was a major blow to franchise owners without U.S. citizenship — SBA 7(a) loans were the primary financing mechanism for franchise purchases. Bankable provides franchise funding without the SBA's citizenship requirement.
Franchise Business Capital Needs
- Franchise fee: Initial franchise fees range from $10,000 (home-based concepts) to $75,000+ (established food service brands).
- Build-out and equipment: Physical location franchises require build-out and equipment investment from $50K to $500K depending on the concept.
- Working capital: Franchisors require 3–6 months of operating capital as part of the franchise agreement. This ensures new franchisees can survive until the business reaches cash-flow positive operations.
- Royalties and marketing fees: Ongoing royalty obligations (typically 4–8% of revenue) and national marketing fund contributions are operating costs that working capital supports.
Franchise Purchase Funding
Partial funding for franchise fees and initial investment. Evaluated on franchisor financial disclosures.
Apply →Equipment & Build-Out
Location build-out and franchise equipment. Asset-secured for better terms.
Learn More →Working Capital Line
Cover royalties, marketing fees, and operating costs during ramp-up. Up to $200K.
Apply →Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Bankable funds franchise purchases regardless of the owner's immigration status. The franchisor's financial disclosure documents and the business's projected revenue are the primary criteria.
We fund cleaning service franchises, food service franchises, home services franchises, staffing franchises, and retail franchises. We evaluate each opportunity based on the franchise concept's financial disclosures.
Funding depends on the specific franchise and your financial profile. Most franchise funding from Bankable ranges from $50K to $500K for the working capital, equipment, and build-out components.
The 2026 SBA rule requires 100% citizenship for all SBA loans. SBA loans were the primary franchise funding mechanism before this change. Bankable is the primary alternative.
Yes. Working capital lines cover ongoing franchise obligations during the ramp-up period before the business reaches cash-flow positive operations.
The SBA Franchise Registry listed approved franchise concepts for SBA lending. Since Bankable is private capital with no SBA affiliation, the Franchise Registry is not relevant to our underwriting.
Six months of business bank statements (if existing franchise), the Franchise Disclosure Document, your EIN, and personal identification. No green card required.
Most applications receive a decision within 48 hours. Funds are typically deposited within 3–5 business days of approval.