Short answer
Merchant Fund Express funds existing franchise owners who are opening a second location, sized on the open store's deposits. The new unit has no operating history yet, so it is not reviewed on its own; the capital is drawn on the store that is already earning. Owners use it for working capital that keeps store one strong during the opening, equipment, or a line of credit for timing gaps, from $5,000 to $5,000,000. Construction loans, real estate and startup financing for the new unit are not offered.
Be clear on what this is
A second-unit build usually has big pieces: the lease, the build-out, the franchise fee, the equipment package. Some of that is real-estate and startup financing, which Merchant Fund Express does not offer. What it does offer is fast capital on the strength of the store you already run, so the expansion does not drain it.
| Expansion need | Fits here? | How |
|---|---|---|
| Keep store one's payroll and inventory steady during the opening | Yes | Working capital on store one's deposits |
| Recurring timing gaps while both stores ramp | Yes | Line of credit |
| Equipment, sized on the operating entity | Yes | Equipment financing |
| Land, building or construction loan | No | Real-estate financing is not offered |
| Startup loan based on the new unit's projections | No | No operating history to review yet |
The entity question decides everything
Most owners open unit two under a new LLC. That new LLC has no deposits, so it has nothing to review. The open store's entity does. Funding is sized on the entity that earns the revenue, and its statements are what you send.
Same LLC for both
Store one's deposits carry the request. Simple.
New LLC for unit two
Funding goes to the operating entity, sized on its deposits. Read separate LLCs.
Unit two opens and earns
After a few months of deposits, it can apply on its own numbers.
Check your franchise agreement and the new unit's development terms for any rules about financing between entities. Your accountant can tell you the cleanest way to move money between them.
If this, then that
- If store one is strong and steadyApply on store one for working capital or a line so the opening does not squeeze it.
- If store one already carries paymentsList them all. See existing advances.
- If unit two has been open a few monthsApply on its own deposits; it is now an operating location.
- If you own three or more storesStart with multi-unit owners.
Hypothetical: a smoothie owner opening store two
An owner of one smoothie shop signs for a second unit across town under a new LLC. The build-out and lease are handled separately. What worries the owner is store one: for three months the owner's attention, and some of store one's cash, go into the opening.
The owner applies on store one's entity for working capital to keep a cushion for payroll and produce, plus a modest line of credit for timing gaps while both stores settle. The reviewer sizes both on store one's deposits alone. Six months after opening, store two has its own statements and applies on its own numbers for a blender upgrade.
This is an illustration of how a file is reasoned, not a past transaction. The point: the open store carries the first request, and the new store earns its own file.
Who this fits best
Owners whose first store has steady deposits and who want a cushion while they open the next unit. Owners whose second unit is already open and starting to deposit. If you are still searching for a site and have no open store, this is not the right product yet; start with existing vs new.
What to send
No tax returns to apply. A complete file usually gets a decision in 2–4 hours, with same-day funding available.
Owner questions, answered
Can Merchant Fund Express fund my second franchise location?
It funds existing owners on the open store's deposits. That capital supports the expansion. It does not offer construction, real-estate or startup loans for the new unit.
Why can't the new unit apply on its own?
It has no operating history or deposits yet. Once it has been open and depositing for a few months, it can.
Do I need the same LLC for both stores?
No. Funding is sized on the entity that earns the revenue. Separate LLCs are common.
How much can I get?
Merchant Fund Express offers $5,000 to $5,000,000. The amount depends on the operating store's deposits and current payments.
How fast is it?
A complete file usually gets a decision in 2–4 hours.
Keep going
Merchant Fund Express is a separate company with no franchisor ties. Terms depend on the business's revenue and history.