Short answer
Equipment financing covers one named asset, such as a conveyor oven, fryer bank, walk-in cooler, vehicle lift, wide-format printer or cardio line, at an open franchise location, with the equipment supporting the deal. Send the vendor quote with your application, three months of bank statements and an ID; Merchant Fund Express usually decides in 2–4 hours. It is best for replacing or adding equipment at a store that is already operating, not for fully equipping a brand-new site.
What it covers in a franchise setting
| Sector | Typical equipment financed |
|---|---|
| Sandwich and sub shops | Slicers, reach-in and walk-in refrigeration, bread ovens, prep tables |
| Pizza | Conveyor or deck ovens, dough mixers, make lines, heated delivery gear |
| Chicken and wings | Fryers, filtration, hood work tied to equipment |
| Coffee and smoothies | Espresso machines, brewers, blenders, ice machines |
| Fitness | Treadmills, bikes, strength racks, access-control hardware |
| Automotive | Two-post and four-post lifts, alignment machines, tire changers, diagnostic tools |
| Shipping and printing | Production printers, finishing equipment, scales |
Replace now or wait? A quick decision check
Equipment decisions in a franchise are rarely optional for long. Brand standards, health inspections and customer wait times push them. Use this to decide whether to finance now.
If two or more apply, getting a decision now costs you nothing and keeps the option ready when the vendor's lead time starts.
Useful life and term
Match the repayment period to how long the equipment will work for you. A fryer bank that runs hard every day has a shorter useful life than a vehicle lift bolted to the floor. Financing a short-lived item over a long period means you are still paying when you need the next one. Ask the specialist to set the term so the payments end comfortably before replacement time.
Replacement at an open store vs equipping a new site
Replacing or adding equipment at a location with deposits is what this product does best: the store's revenue shows it can carry the payment. Fully equipping a site that has not opened is startup financing, and Merchant Fund Express does not offer it. Owners opening a second location sometimes ask anyway; read the multi-unit page to see when an existing store's history helps and when it does not.
What to send
If installation, electrical or hood work is required, include it in the quote or ask about pairing equipment financing with working capital for the labor.
Pair equipment with the rest of the project
Most equipment requests come with labor, inventory or a slow month attached, and Merchant Fund Express funds those too. The full menu for existing owners: franchise business loans, merchant cash advances, revenue-based financing, lines of credit, equipment financing, working capital and, for franchises that bill other businesses, invoice factoring.
How to read an equipment offer quickly
| Ask | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| What is the total repaid over the term? | The clearest way to compare offers with different structures |
| How often is the payment collected? | Daily, weekly or monthly changes how it feels against your deposits |
| Does the term end before the equipment's useful life? | You do not want to still be paying when it needs replacing |
| Is installation included? | Hood, electrical or plumbing work may need to be funded separately |
| Who owns the equipment during the term? | Matters for resale, upgrades and your franchise agreement |
A specialist at Merchant Fund Express will go through each of these with you before you sign. If anything is unclear, ask again; a good offer survives questions.
Owner questions, answered
Can I finance equipment my franchisor requires?
Yes. Required model changes and brand-standard upgrades are a common use. Send the vendor quote with your application.
Do I need a quote before I apply?
It helps the review move faster. You can apply first and send the quote when you have it.
Can I finance used equipment?
Ask the specialist. It depends on the equipment, its age and the vendor.
Can I finance installation too?
Installation on the vendor's invoice can often be included. Separate construction work may fit working capital better.
Can I finance equipment for a store that is not open yet?
No. Merchant Fund Express funds operating businesses. A new site needs operating history first.
Keep going
Merchant Fund Express is a separate company with no franchisor ties. Terms depend on the business's revenue and history.