Which Franchise Finance Consultant Is Best for You? (2023)
Written by: Parth Parth
Last Updated by
Ailen Faiad: March 14, 2023
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Franchise Finance Consultant : Three Alternatives
1. Guidant Financial
Guidant Financial is an American small business financing company headquartered in Boise, Idaho. It provides business financing solutions to new and existing entrepreneurs. The company specializes in Rollovers as Business Startups (ROBS) and Small Business Administration (SBA) loans. Guidant Financial has helped over 25,000 entrepreneurs put greater than $4 billion to work in small business and franchise locations in all 50 states.
Guidant Financial is the largest ROBS provider and a third-party administrator of 401(k) plans. The company facilitates the process of rolling over individual eligible retirement funds to purchase stock in a new company for the purpose of small business financing. In 2011, it made headlines for supporting veterans with a dozen entrepreneurial scholarships to start businesses. Guidant Financial also produces an annual business trends report called The State of Small Business.
Guidant Financial History
David Nilssen and Jeremy Ames co-founded Guidant Financial in 2003. According to Nilssen, their goal was to help individuals self-direct their IRA or 401(k) “to a variety of investment opportunities, including the purchase of a business or franchise.” Many organizations recognized the company for its growth and leadership.
In 2019, Guidant Financial opened two new offices, in Boise, Idaho, and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Beginning in 2021, the company went entirely remote.
Guidant Financial has received numerous accolades and recognition for its work in the small business financing industry. The company has been named one of the fastest-growing private companies in the United States by Inc. Magazine and has been recognized as a top workplace by The Seattle Times and The Puget Sound Business Journal. In addition the company’s founders, David Nilssen and Gary D. Shinkman have recognition for being top entrepreneurs and business leaders.
2. Benetrends
Benetrends Financial is a company that specializes in helping small business owners use their 401(k) or Individual Retirement Account (IRA) savings to fund their businesses. This type of financing is known as 401(k)/IRA business funding or Rollover as Business Startups (ROBS). Benetrends Financial claims to have enabled more than 17,000 entrepreneurs to use their retirement savings in this way, allowing them to access the funds tax-deferred and penalty-free.
In addition to 401(k)/IRA business funding, Benetrends Financial also offers a range of other small business financing solutions. The company claims a 97% approval success rate for its financing products and states that it sees more than $12 million in SBA loans approved each month. Benetrends Financial is based in Lansdale, Pennsylvania, and serves small business owners throughout the United States.
Benetrends History
Len Fischer founded Beentrends. He has more than 50 years of experience in the field of franchise finance consultant. He is a member of the bar in New York and California, specializing in the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). Fischer is an author and speaker who has lectured extensively on small business funding, rollover business funding, ERISA, and employee benefits. He holds an undergraduate degree in economics from the Bernard M. Baruch School of Business and Public Administration of The City College. He graduated from Brooklyn Law School, cum laude.
Notably, Len developed the concept of rollover retirement savings tax-deferred penalty-free in 1983. Thus, in 1983 was born the “Rainmaker Plan”, the very first IRA/401(k) rollover business funding plan, and with it, Benetrends Financial, the first-ever company to provide such plans.
Rocco Fiorentino Rocco, the CEO, serves on the Executive Board of Advisors for The Multi-Unit Franchise Conference, the Titus Center for Franchising at Atlantic University, and Locate AI, a real estate technology firm based in San Francisco. He is a frequent speaker, moderator, author, and past Board member/Committee Chair for the IFA. He holds a master’s degree in management with an emphasis in leadership from the Richard
- Irwin Graduate School of the American College, and the distinction of Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) by the Board of Governors of the IFA.
3. FranFund
FranFund is a company that provides franchise finance consultant services to small business owners. Particularly those who are looking to start or grow a franchise. According to their website, Entrepeneur magazine recognized them as a top franchise funding supplier. Which is a well-known publication in the business world.
One of FranFunds most popular programs is its SBA loan program. SBA loans are government-backed loans that are designed to help small businesses get the financing they need to start or grow their operations. FranFund also offers 401(k) business funding, which allows you to use your qualified retirement savings tax-free and penalty-free to fund your business.
In addition to SBA loans and 401(k) business funding, FranFund also offers a range of other financial solutions for small business owners. These solutions include conventional loans, unsecured loans, securities-backed loans, equipment leasing, and refinancing programs.
FranFund History
Geoff Seiber, the CEO, had a successful career in franchise operations and development with multiple brands. Including Domino’s Pizza and Great Clips. Soon after, he created FranFund in 2006. Geoff serves on the Titus Center for Franchising Advisory Board and is currently the Vice-Chair of the International Franchise Association’s (IFA) Supplier Forum. He is also involved in his local Fort Worth community, where he serves on the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce Executive Board, the FW Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce board, and the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl Board, and as the Chairman of the Frog Club Athletic Board for Texas Christian University.
Tenet Financial
Tenet Financial Group is an American company that provides a variety of financial services to small business owners, including franchise financing solutions. The company was founded in 2001 and is based in Austin, Texas.
Tenet Financial Group’s main focus is on helping entrepreneurs and business owners access the funding they need to start or grow their businesses. The company offers several financing options, including Rollovers as Business Startups (ROBS), Small Business Administration (SBA) loans, equipment leasing, and more. They also provide support for creating business plans and offer ongoing consulting and mentoring services for their clients. Tenet Financial Group has received positive reviews from clients and industry experts for their professionalism, transparency, and excellent customer service.
Tenet Financial History
Tenet Financial Group was founded in 2001 by Monte Lee-Wen, a former lawyer and entrepreneur who wanted to help small business owners access the funding they needed to start or grow their businesses. Lee-Wen realized that many entrepreneurs were struggling to secure financing through traditional lenders, so he began exploring alternative financing options.
One of the solutions Lee-Wen discovered was Rollovers as Business Startups (ROBS), which allows entrepreneurs to use their retirement savings to start a new business or franchise without incurring early withdrawal penalties or taxes. Lee-Wen saw the potential of ROBS as a financing tool for small business owners, and he founded Tenet Financial Group to help entrepreneurs navigate the complex process of using retirement funds to finance a new business.
Over the years, Tenet Financial Group has expanded its services to include other financing options such as SBA loans, equipment leasing, and unsecured business loans. The company has also grown its team of experienced financial professionals, who work with clients to identify the best financing options for their specific needs.
Today, Tenet Financial Group is a leading provider of alternative small business financing solutions, and the company has helped thousands of entrepreneurs across the United States access the funding they need to start or grow their businesses.
Franchise Finance Consultant Insights
In summary, Guidant Financial, Benetrends, FranFund, and Tenet Financial Group are all well-established and reputable companies that provide a variety of financing solutions for small business owners, particularly those interested in franchising. Each company has its own specific strengths and areas of expertise.
Guidant Financial is known for its expertise in Rollovers as Business Startups (ROBS) and Small Business Administration (SBA) loans. They are the largest ROBS provider and have helped thousands of entrepreneurs put over $4 billion to work in small businesses and franchises across the country.
Benetrends Financial is best known for helping small business owners use their retirement savings to finance their businesses, particularly through its 401(k)/IRA business funding program. Benetrends also offers a range of other small business financing solutions with a 97% approval success rate.
FranFund offers a wide range of financing options for small business owners, including its popular SBA loan program and 401(k) business funding. FranFund also provides other solutions such as conventional loans, equipment leasing, and refinancing programs.
Tenet Financial Group is a leading provider of alternative small business financing solutions, specializing in ROBS, SBA loans, and equipment leasing. They provide support for creating business plans and offer ongoing consulting and mentoring services for their clients.
When choosing a financing consultant, it’s important to consider the specific products and services being offered, any upfront or ongoing fees, and the overall cost of financing. It’s also a good idea to look for companies that operate more in your location to figure out a good fit. By evaluating each company’s specific strengths and history, small business owners can find the best financing consultant for their specific needs. When in doubt, contact 2-3 franchise financing consultants!
