Short answer
Merchant Fund Express gives existing franchise owners merchant cash advances from $5,000 to $5,000,000, sized to the location's card and bank deposits and repaid as a percentage of daily or weekly deposits rather than a fixed monthly payment. It is the fastest product in the lineup: 4-minute application, decision in 2–4 hours, same-day funding available. 500+ FICO accepted, no tax returns. Best for high-volume card businesses like quick-service food, coffee, salons and gyms.
Why franchise stores fit an MCA
Franchise locations run on card swipes. A sub shop, a coffee drive-thru, a wing store and a salon all deposit revenue every day. An MCA reads exactly that and turns it into capital now.
Speed over everything
The equipment broke this morning. An MCA is the quickest answer in the lineup.
Payment moves with deposits
A percentage of daily or weekly deposits, so a slow week means a smaller collection.
Deposits beat paperwork
No tax returns to apply. 500+ FICO accepted. The store's sales do the talking.
Works next to other funding
Already carrying equipment payments? Disclose them; they are part of the sizing.
MCA or something else? Decide here
| Your situation | Best fit | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Need cash today, sales are steady and card-heavy | Merchant cash advance | Fastest decision and funding |
| Want a fixed payment you can plan around | Working capital | Set repayment schedule |
| Seasonal store with a long slow season | Revenue-based financing | Payments track revenue |
| Buying one machine with a quote | Equipment financing | Asset anchors the deal |
| Already have an advance and the payment is heavy | MCA refinance | Built to lower the payment |
| Already have an advance and need more capital | Existing advances | Open positions are considered |
Still torn? Read MCA vs business loan or Revenue-based financing vs MCA.
Where franchise owners point an MCA
Typical uses at an open location: a replacement fryer or espresso machine before the weekend, food and paper inventory ahead of a promotion, payroll while a delivery-app payout lags, a franchisor-required refresh with a hard deadline. Read Refrigeration and Inventory for those situations.
Hypothetical example: a single-unit quick-service owner with steady daily card deposits needs $35,000 for a fryer bank and a kitchen repair before a busy month. The advance is sized against deposits after royalties and current payments, and collections run as a share of those deposits. A busy week collects more; a slow week collects less.
Speed, step by step
- Apply in 4 minutesName your brand, store, amount and use.
- Upload three months of statementsFrom the account that receives the store's card settlements.
- Decision in 2–4 hoursYou see the amount and how collections work before you sign.
- Same-day funding availableFunding often lands the next business day.
Three questions to answer before you sign
An MCA is fast, so the decision has to be sharp. Answer these three honestly and you will know whether it is the right tool for your store.
Does the use earn or protect revenue?
A fryer that keeps the line moving or inventory for a promotion: yes. Covering a loss that repeats every month: fix the cause first.
Can the slowest normal week carry the collection?
Look at your weakest regular week after royalties, rent and payroll. That is the week that matters.
Is this a one-time need?
If the gap repeats, a line of credit is the better shape. If it is a machine, equipment financing usually is.
If all three answers point to an advance, apply. If not, tell the specialist; the same application covers every product, so you are not starting over.
What to send
Disclose every existing advance. It shows on your bank statements anyway, and disclosing it gets you a faster, cleaner answer. Details on the core product: MFE Direct merchant cash advance.
Owner questions, answered
Where can a franchise owner get a merchant cash advance?
Merchant Fund Express funds merchant cash advances for open franchise locations from $5,000 to $5,000,000, with a decision in 2–4 hours on a complete file.
How is a franchise MCA repaid?
As a percentage of your daily or weekly card and bank deposits, not a fixed monthly payment.
Do royalties hurt my MCA amount?
They are counted. Royalty and marketing draws come out of deposits before sizing, so the payment fits what the store actually keeps.
Can I get an MCA if I already have one?
Yes, existing positions are considered and are not an automatic decline. Disclose them on the application.
What credit score do I need?
500+ FICO is accepted. The store's deposits carry most of the decision.
Can I use an MCA to open a new franchise?
No. An MCA is sized on existing deposits, so the location must already be open and selling.
Keep going
Merchant Fund Express is a separate company with no franchisor ties. Terms depend on the business's revenue and history.