Short answer
To fund a franchise remodel, get the scope and contractor quotes, separate equipment from construction and finish work, and add a cash cushion for any days the store is closed. Merchant Fund Express funds operating locations with working capital to cover the project and equipment financing for the equipment portion, from $5,000 to $5,000,000. Send the quotes with three months of statements; decisions usually take 2–4 hours.
Build the budget in four buckets
| Bucket | Examples | Usually fits |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | New ovens, coolers, POS hardware, digital menu boards | Equipment financing |
| Construction and finish | Flooring, counters, lighting, paint, signage installation | Working capital |
| Brand elements | Required decor packages, signage | Working capital or equipment financing, by invoice |
| Closure cushion | Payroll and fixed costs while the store is closed or slowed | Working capital |
Splitting it this way lets each part sit in the structure that fits it, and it shows the reviewer you have a plan.
Timeline: when to apply
- Franchisor sends requirements and deadlineGet the written scope and design package.
- Collect two or three quotesContractor plus equipment vendors; note lead times.
- ApplySend quotes, statements and ID. Decision usually same day.
- Schedule the workLine up funding before the first deposit to the contractor.
- Reopen and refill the cushionTrack the post-remodel bump against your payment.
Apply once you have quotes, not after work starts. Paying a contractor deposit from the operating account and hoping to backfill is how payroll weeks get tight.
The closure cash nobody budgets
Even a partial closure costs you. You may keep paying managers, rent and utilities while revenue drops. Count the days the contractor says the store will be closed or limited, multiply by your normal daily fixed costs, and add it to the request. A refresh done over nights may need almost no cushion; a full reimage can need weeks.
Documented franchisor requirements help
If your franchisor has issued a written remodel requirement, deadline or approved-vendor list, include it. It does not change eligibility, but it shows the reviewer that the spending is required and scheduled. Do not assume a franchisor-approved vendor means the vendor has financing for you; check separately.
What to send
A sample remodel budget (hypothetical)
| Line | Amount | Funding piece |
|---|---|---|
| New menu boards and POS hardware | $14,000 | Equipment financing |
| Flooring, paint, counters, lighting | $26,000 | Working capital |
| Signage package | $8,000 | Working capital or equipment, by invoice |
| Closure cushion: 5 days of fixed costs | $6,000 | Working capital |
| Total | $54,000 | Two structures, one plan |
Your numbers will differ by brand, size and market. The point is the shape: equipment on one structure, everything else on another, with the closure cash counted instead of hoped for. Bring a table like this to the application and the review moves quickly.
Funding the rest of the refresh
A remodel rarely stops at the dining room. Merchant Fund Express funds the equipment, the downtime and the reopening push. 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.
Remodel mistakes to avoid
Each of these turns a manageable project into a cash squeeze. Plan the money the same way you plan the contractor's calendar.
Owner questions, answered
Can I finance a franchisor-required remodel?
Yes, for an operating location. Working capital and equipment financing are reviewed together or separately depending on the quotes.
Should I apply before or after getting contractor quotes?
After. Quotes let the reviewer size the request and match each part to the right product.
Can the funding cover payroll while we are closed?
A closure cushion can be part of a working capital request. Include the estimated days and costs.
How fast can I get remodel funding?
Decisions usually take 2–4 hours on a complete file. Funding often arrives the next business day.
Does my franchisor need to approve the financing?
Merchant Fund Express does not require it. Check your franchise agreement for any financing clauses.
Keep going
Merchant Fund Express is a separate company with no franchisor ties. Terms depend on the business's revenue and history.