Short answer
Merchant Fund Express funds existing sports and entertainment franchise owners with equipment financing, working capital, revenue-based financing, lines of credit, business loans and merchant cash advances from $5,000 to $5,000,000. Typical uses are replacing worn attractions and play equipment, adding a new attraction, staffing up for summer and school breaks, party and event supplies, and local marketing. Funding is sized on the venue's own deposits. A complete file usually gets a decision in 2–4 hours.
What venue owners fund
Entertainment venues and youth sports programs sell experiences, and experiences wear out. Trampolines, climbing walls, arcade machines, turf and game rooms need replacement on a cycle, and a fresh attraction is often what brings families back.
Attractions and equipment
Trampolines, climbing walls, arcade and VR units, sports gear, padding and turf.
Staffing peaks
Summer, school breaks and weekends need more coaches, monitors and party hosts.
Party and event business
Inventory, decor and food service for birthdays, camps and group bookings.
Marketing
Local campaigns ahead of summer, holidays and new-attraction launches. See Marketing.
Match the need to the funding
| If you need to… | Fits | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Add or replace an attraction | Equipment financing | The equipment anchors the deal |
| Staff up before summer | Working capital | One-time ramp, repaid from peak revenue |
| Ride out slow school-year weekdays | Revenue-based financing | Payments track revenue |
| Fund a full venue refresh | Franchise business loan | One lump sum for the whole project |
| Fast cash when card sales are strong | Merchant cash advance | Repaid as a share of card and bank deposits |
| Cover membership or league-fee timing gaps | Business line of credit | Draw and repay as fees come in |
New POS or booking kiosks? See POS upgrades.
How a venue's deposits read
Entertainment revenue is mostly card sales at the door, online bookings, party deposits and recurring memberships or league fees. It swings hard with the calendar: summer and holiday weeks run high, school-year weekdays run low. A reviewer reads the seasonal pattern across the statements and existing equipment payments. A short note on your peak months and party bookings helps the file read clearly.
Uneven months are expected here. Revenue-based financing vs MCA explains which structure suits a venue whose sales move with the calendar.
Every brand in this sector
Trampoline and adventure parks, kids' sports and enrichment, escape rooms, golf and bowling concepts, family entertainment centers and play spaces are all welcome. Own a franchise of any brand in this space? Merchant Fund Express funds the venue on its own numbers.
Running a brand that is not named here? Put the brand on the application. Merchant Fund Express funds the location on its own deposits, whatever the logo over the door.
Running a gym or studio instead? See fitness franchise funding.
How fast it moves
- Apply in about 4 minutesName your brand, the venue you operate, the amount and the use.
- Upload statements and IDThree months of business bank statements for the entity that owns the location, plus photo ID for each owner.
- Decision in 2–4 hoursMerchant Fund Express reads the deposits and current payments and comes back with the structure and the amount.
- FundsSame-day funding is available; funding often lands the next business day. Most files go from application to funds in under 72 hours.
What to send
No tax returns to apply. 500+ FICO accepted. Sole proprietors are eligible, Spanish-speaking support is available and ITIN applicants are accepted.
Owner questions, answered
Can an entertainment franchise finance a new attraction?
Yes. New and replacement attractions at an operating venue are a common equipment financing request.
Can I get funding before summer season?
Yes. Working capital or revenue-based financing covers staffing and supplies ahead of peak weeks.
How fast is a decision?
A complete file usually gets a decision from Merchant Fund Express in 2–4 hours, with same-day funding available.
My revenue swings a lot by season. Is that a problem?
No. Seasonal patterns are expected. Revenue-based financing moves with your sales.
Are you affiliated with any sports or entertainment franchise?
No. Merchant Fund Express is independent and has no ties to any sports or entertainment franchisor.
Keep going
Merchant Fund Express is a separate company with no franchisor ties. Terms depend on the business's revenue and history.