Top Franchise Loan Companies for Financing Your Business

Introduction

Starting or expanding a franchise is an exciting opportunity, but it can also be a daunting task. One of the biggest challenges that franchisees face is finding the right financing options to fund their business. There are many different financing options available, and it can be overwhelming to try to compare and contrast them all. That’s where this article comes in. We have compiled a list of the top 50 franchise financing companies to help you make an informed decision about the options available for your business.

The Top 50 Franchise Financing Companies

Before we dive into the list, let’s take a moment to understand the different types of financing that are available for franchises. There are several common options, including traditional bank loans, Small Business Administration (SBA) loans, and alternative financing options like crowdfunding and merchant cash advances. Each option has its own set of pros and cons, and it’s important to carefully consider which one is right for you. In this article, we are looking only at SBA loans.

According to data from the Small Business Administration, these are the top 50 franchise financing companies. They are sorted in order of gross amount lent.

1. Live Oak Bank

• Location: Wilmington, NC
• Live Oak issued 880 loans in 2020-23 for an average loan amount of $1,263,247.
• Live Oak Bank lent a gross sum of $1,194,050,500 to franchises in 2023-23

The top 5 franchises that Live Oak Bank lent to are:

1. Ameriprise Financial
2. Anytime Fitness
3. Big O Tires
4. Primrose Schools
5. UNITS

2. Celtic Bank

• Location: Salt Lake City, UT
• The company issued 350 loans in 2020-23 for an average loan amount of $1,982,565.
• Celtic Bank lent a gross sum of $746,920,000 to franchises in 2023-23

The top 5 franchises that Celtic Bank lent to are:

1. am/pm – ARCO Fuel (BP)
2. Holiday Inn Express
3. Motel 6
4. Red Roof Inn
5. Urban Air Trampoline Park

3. GBank

• Location: Las Vegas, NV
• The company issued 276 loans in 2020-23 for an average loan amount of $2,442,480.
• GBank lent a gross sum of $717,541,900 to franchises in 2023-23

The top 5 franchises that GBank lent to are:

1. Days Inn
2. La Quinta Inn
3. Quality Inn
4. Sleep Inn
5. Super 8

4. The Huntington National Bank

• Location: Columbus, OH
• The company issued 1828 loans in 2020-23 for an average loan amount of $237,394.
• The Huntington National Bank lent a gross sum of $539,982,800 to franchises in 2023-23

The top 5 franchises that The Huntington National Bank lent to are

1. Mighty Dog Roofing
2. Premier Martial Arts Studio
3. StretchLab
4. The UPS Store
5. X-Golf

5. United Midwest Savings Bank, National Association

• Location: De Graff, OH
• The company issued 1861 loans in 2020-23 for an average loan amount of $218,307.
• United Midwest Savings Bank, National Association lent a gross sum of $421,084,800 to franchises in 2023-23

The top 5 franchises that United Midwest Savings Bank, National Association lent to are:

1. Holiday Inn Express
2. La Quinta Inn
3. Motel 6
4. Quality Inn
5. Super 8

6. Readycap Lending

• Location: Berkeley Heights, NJ
• The company issued 229 loans in 2020-23 for an average loan amount of $1,696,328.
• Readycap lending lent a gross sum of $447,267,100 to franchises in 2023-23

The top 5 franchises that Readycap Lending lent to are:

1. Best Western
2. Christensen Inc dba Powell
3. Comfort Inn
4. Comfort Suites
5. La Quinta Inn

7. Wallis Bank

• Location: Wallis, TX
• The company issued 168 loans in 2020-23 for an average loan amount of $2,195,069.
• Wallis Bank lent a gross sum of $391,593,300 to franchises in 2023-23

The top 5 franchises that Wallis Bank lent to are:

1. Best Western
2. Comfort Inn
3. Fuel Maxx (Exxon)
4. La Quinta Inn
5. Red Roof Inn

8. Commonwealth Business Bank

• Location: Los Angeles, CA
• The company issued 153 loans in 2020-23 for an average loan amount of $2,322,363.
• Commonwealth Business Bank lent a gross sum of $370,781,500 to franchises in 2023-23

The top 5 franchises that Commonwealth Business Bank lent to are:

1. Comfort Suites
2. Golden Chick
3. La Quinta Inn
4. Motel 6
5. Phillips 66 Branded Reseller A

9. PeoplesBank

• Location: Holyoke, MA
• The company issued 158 loans in 2020-23 for an average loan amount of $2,111,366.
• PeoplesBank lent a gross sum of $369,518,100 to franchises in 2023-23

The top 5 franchises that Peoples Bank lent to are:

1. Days Inn
2. Econo Lodge
3. La Quinta Inn
4. Quality Inn
5. Red Roof Inn

10. Byline Bank

• Location: Chicago, IL
• The company issued 275 loans in 2020-23 for an average loan amount of $1,128,484.
• Byline Bank lent a gross sum of $320,348,100 to franchises in 2023-23

The top 5 franchises that Byline Bank lent to are:

1. Ace Hardware
2. Ameriprise Financial
3. Big Blue Swim
4. Dunkin’ Donuts
5. Parent Petroleum (Unbranded) R

11. Open Bank

• Location: Los Angeles, CA
• The company issued 117 loans in 2020-23 for an average loan amount of $2,382,072.
• Open Bank lent a gross sum of $307,002,400 to franchises in 2023-23

The top 5 franchises that Open Bank lent to are:

1. Best Western
2. Days Inn
3. Holiday Inn Express
4. Quality Inn
5. Super 8

12. Citizens Bank

• Location: Elizabethton, TN
• The company issued 443 loans in 2020-23 for an average loan amount of $621,615.
• Citizens Bank lent a gross sum of $298,548,300 to franchises in 2023-23

The top 5 franchises that Citizens Bank lent to are:

1. American Family Care/Doctors E
2. La Quinta Inn
3. Quality Inn
4. Smoothie King
5. The UPS Store

13. US Metro Bank

• Location: Garden Grove, CA
• The company issued 87 loans in 2020-23 for an average loan amount of $2,959,471.
• US Metro Bank lent a gross sum of $272,560,000 to franchises in 2023-23

The top 5 franchises that US Metro Bank lent to are:

1. Best Western
2. Holiday Inn Express
3. La Quinta Inn
4. Motel 6
5. Quality Inn

14. Home Loan Investment Bank, F.S.B.

• Location: Warwick, RI
• The company issued 80 loans in 2020-23 for an average loan amount of $3,104,225.
• Home Loan Investment Bank, F.S.B. lent a gross sum of $273,059,000 to franchises in 2023-23

The top 5 franchises that Home Loan Investment Bank, F.S.B. lent to are:

1. Holiday Inn Express
2. La Quinta Inn
3. Quality Inn
4. Red Roof Inn
5. Super 8

15. Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

• Location: Sioux Falls, SD
• The company issued 317 loans in 2020-23 for an average loan amount of $772,076.
• Wells Fargo Bank, National Association lent a gross sum of $261,641,500 to franchises in 2023-23

The top 5 franchises that Wells Fargo Bank, National Association lent to are:

1. Ace Hardware
2. Christian Brothers Automotive
3. Culver’s
4. Primrose Schools
5. The Goddard School

16. First Chatham Bank

• Location: Savannah, GA
• The company issued 114 loans in 2020-23 for an average loan amount of $2,077,069.
• First Chatham Bank lent a gross sum of $244,539,900 to franchises in 2023-23

The top 5 franchises that First Chatham Bank lent to are:

1. Days Inn
2. La Quinta Inn
3. Quality Inn
4. Red Roof Inn
5. Super 8

17. First Western SBLC

• Location: Dallas, TX
• The company issued 100 loans in 2020-23 for an average loan amount of $2,149,605.
• First Western SBLC lent a gross sum of $217,941,500 to franchises in 2023-23

The top 5 franchises that First Western SBLC lent to are:

1. Best Western
2. Holiday Inn Express
3. Quality Inn
4. Red Roof Inn
5. Sleep Inn

18. KeyBank National Association

• Location: Cleveland, OH
• The company issued 335 loans in 2020-23 for an average loan amount of $626,026.
• KeyBank National Association lent a gross sum of $215,324,200 to franchises in 2023-23

The top 5 franchises that KeyBank National Association lent to are:

1. Anytime Fitness
2. Camp Bow Wow
3. D-BAT
4. Scooter’s Coffee
5. Urban Air Trampoline Park

19. Millennium Bank

• Location: Des Plaines, IL
• The company issued 92 loans in 2020-23 for an average loan amount of $2,232,077.
• Millennium Bank lent a gross sum of $215,259,800 to franchises in 2023-23

The top 5 franchises that Millennium Bank lent to are:

1. Baymont Inn & Suites
2. Holiday Inn
3. Motel 6
4. Red Roof Inn
5. Super 8

20. PCB Bank

• Location: Los Angeles, CA
• The company issued 86 loans in 2020-23 for an average loan amount of $2,339,767.
• PCB Bank lent a gross sum of $203,798,000 to franchises in 2023-23

The top 5 franchises that PCB Bank lent to are:

1. Best Western
2. Chevron – Retail Supply Contra
3. Phillips 66 Branded Reseller A
4. Rodeway Inn
5. Super 8

21. Pinnacle Bank

• Location: Elberton, GA
• The company issued 129 loans in 2020-23 for an average loan amount of $1,392,416.
• Pinnacle Bank lent a gross sum of $188,313,000 to franchises in 2023-23

The top 5 franchises that Pinnacle Bank lent to are:

1. Best Western
2. La Quinta Inn
3. Motel 6
4. Quality Inn
5. SureStay

22. First IC Bank

• Location: Doraville, GA
• The company issued 103 loans in 2020-23 for an average loan amount of $1,729,762.
• First IC Bank lent a gross sum of $185,542,000 to franchises in 2023-23

The top 5 franchises that First IC Bank lent to are:

1. Classic Star Group (Distributor)
2. Empire Petroleum Partners – Pe
3. Motel 6
4. SEI Fuel Services, Inc.
5. Sunoco, LLC

23. United Community Bank

• Location: Blairsville, GA
• The company issued 277 loans in 2020-23 for an average loan amount of $591,953.
• United Community Bank lent a gross sum of $184,601,100 to franchises in 2023-23

The top 5 franchises that United Community Bank lent to are:

1. American Family Care/Doctors E
2. The Goddard School
3. The UPS Store
4. Walk-On’s Bistreaux & Bar
5. Zaxby’s

24. Newtek Small Business Finance

• Location: Lake Success, NY
• The company issued 301 loans in 2020-23 for an average loan amount of $514,087.
• Newtek Small Business Finance lent a gross sum of $166,226,700 to franchises in 2023-23

The top 5 franchises that Newtek Small Business Finance lent to are:

1. Broken Yolk Cafe
2. Hotworx
3. Pizza Hut
4. True Value
5. Village Inn

25. Cadence Bank

• Location: Tupelo, MS
• The company issued 336 loans in 2020-23 for an average loan amount of $451,484.
• Cadence Bank lent a gross sum of $169,014,300 to franchises in 2023-23

The top 5 franchises that Cadence Bank lent to are:

1. Pet Supplies Plus
2. Premier Petroleum, Inc – Petro
3. Scooter’s Coffee
4. The UPS Store
5. Workout Anytime

26. The MINT National Bank

• Location: Kingwood, TX
• The company issued 58 loans in 2020-23 for an average loan amount of $2,567,531.
• The MINT National Bank lent a gross sum of $166,170,200 to franchises in 2023-23

The top 5 franchises that The MINT National Bank lent to are:

1. Alexander Oil Company – Amende, Best Western
2. Comfort Inn
3. Motel 6
4. Red Roof Inn

27. Enterprise Bank & Trust

• Location: Clayton, MO
• The company issued 82 loans in 2020-23 for an average loan amount of $1,737,384.
• Enterprise Bank & Trust lent a gross sum of $173,740,900 to franchises in 2023-23

The top 5 franchises that Enterprise Bank & Trust lent to are:

1. Comfort Inn
2. Ed Staubs & Son Petroleum
3. Motel 6
4. Progressive Petroleum LLC
5. Quality Inn

28. Summit State Bank

• Location: Santa Rosa, CA
• The company issued 41 loans in 2020-23 for an average loan amount of $3,308,220.
• Summit State Bank lent a gross sum of $140,637,000 to franchises in 2023-23

The top 5 franchises that Summit State Bank lent to are:

1. am/pm – ARCO Fuel (BP), ARCO (BP) Fuel Only
2. Best Western
3. Fairfield Inn by Marriott
4. Motel 6

29. First Bank of the Lake

• Location: Osage Beach, MO
• The company issued 132 loans in 2020-23 for an average loan amount of $999,172.
• First Bank of the Lake lent a gross sum of $156,673,100 to franchises in 2023-23

The top 5 franchises that First Bank of the Lake lent to are:

1. Celebree School
2. Five Guys Burgers and Fries
3. Pet Supplies Plus
4. SH Town Square
5. The Learning Experience

30. Bank of Hope

• Location: Los Angeles, CA
• The company issued 80 loans in 2020-23 for an average loan amount of $1,551,693.
• Bank of Hope lent a gross sum of $130,645,400 to franchises in 2023-23

The top 5 franchises that Bank of Hope lent to are:

1. Best Western
2. La Quinta Inn
3. Motel 6
4. Red Lion Hotels
5. Supreme Oil Co (Exxon Mobil Branded Reseller)

31. Customers Bank

• Location: Phoenixville, PA
• The company issued 130 loans in 2020-23 for an average loan amount of $954,734.
• Customers Bank lent a gross sum of $141,551,200 to franchises in 2023-23

The top 5 franchises that Customers Bank lent to are:

1. Kiddie Academy
2. LORDS & LADIES
3. Pet Supplies Plus
4. Primrose Schools
5. The Goddard School

32. LendingClub Bank, National Association

• Location: Lehi, UT
• The company issued 129 loans in 2020-23 for an average loan amount of $943,099.
• LendingClub Bank, National Association lent a gross sum of $138,402,800 to franchises in 2023-23

The top 5 franchises that LendingClub Bank, National Association lent to are:

1. Big Blue Swim
2. ClimbZone
3. Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen
4. Restore Cryotherapy
5. Urban Air Trampoline Park

33. UniBank

• Location: Lynnwood, WA
• The company issued 110 loans in 2020-23 for an average loan amount of $1,102,759.
• UniBank lent a gross sum of $121,300,500 to franchises in 2023-23

The top 5 franchises that UniBank lent to are:

1. Chevron – Retail Supply Contra
2. Howard Johnson
3. Jackson Energy (Texaco – 76 Branded Reseller)
4. Sun Pacific Energy Inc  – She
5. WaterStation

34. Quantum National Bank

• Location: Suwanee, GA
• The company issued 70 loans in 2020-23 for an average loan amount of $1,727,251.
• Quantum National Bank lent a gross sum of $132,995,100 to franchises in 2023-23

The top 5 franchises that Quantum National Bank lent to are:

1. Best Western
2. Days Inn
3. Hampton Inn
4. OYO – Marketing and Operations
5. Quality Inn

35. Dogwood State Bank

• Location: Raleigh, NC
• The company issued 183 loans in 2020-23 for an average loan amount of $657,513.
• Dogwood State Bank lent a gross sum of $129,733,600 to franchises in 2023-23

The top 5 franchises that Dogwood State Bank lent to are:

1. Dickey’s Barbecue Pit
2. Holiday Inn Express
3. Mosquito Squad
4. Spenga
5. Ziggi’s Coffee

36. PromiseOne Bank

• Location: Duluth, GA
• The company issued 64 loans in 2020-23 for an average loan amount of $1,869,289.
• PromiseOne Bank lent a gross sum of $122,514,500 to franchises in 2023-23

The top 5 franchises that PromiseOne Bank lent to are:

1. Cary Oil Company Inc – Complet
2. Comfort Suites
3. Econo Lodge
4. Quality Inn
5. Super 8

37. Merchants Bank of Indiana

• Location: Carmel, IN
• The company issued 96 loans in 2020-23 for an average loan amount of $1,170,373.
• Merchants Bank of Indiana lent a gross sum of $120,555,600 to franchises in 2023-23

The top 5 franchises that Merchants Bank of Indiana lent to are:

1. Best Western
2. Quality Inn
3. RhinoShield – Dealership/Suppl
4. Subway
5. The UPS Store

38. Pacific Western Bank

• Location: Beverly Hills, CA
• The company issued 78 loans in 2020-23 for an average loan amount of $1,408,869.
• Pacific Western Bank lent a gross sum of $113,085,700 to franchises in 2023-23

The top 5 franchises that Pacific Western Bank lent to are:

1. Ace Hardware
2. Domino’s
3. Interstate All Battery Center
4. The Goddard School
5. Zaxby’s

39. Berkshire Bank

• Location: Pittsfield, MA
• The company issued 119 loans in 2020-23 for an average loan amount of $921,174.
• Berkshire Bank lent a gross sum of $112,959,700 to franchises in 2023-23

The top 5 franchises that Berkshire Bank lent to are:

1. Del Taco
2. Kiddie Academy
3. Smash My Trash
4. Venture X
5. Window World

40. The Bancorp Bank

• Location: Wilmington, DE
• The company issued 207 loans in 2020-23 for an average loan amount of $527,141.
• The Bancorp Bank lent a gross sum of $119,398,400 to franchises in 2023-23

The top 5 franchises that The Bancorp Bank lent to are:

1. Grease Monkey
2. Kiddie Academy
3. Rent-n-Roll
4. Urban Air Trampoline Park
5. World Fuel Services, Inc Whole

41. TD Bank, National Association

• Location: Wilmington, DE
• The company issued 153 loans in 2020-23 for an average loan amount of $663,242.
• TD Bank, National Association lent a gross sum of $110,955,700 to franchises in 2023-23

The top 5 franchises that TD Bank, National Association lent to are:

1. Express Oil Change/Tire Engine
2. Pearle Vision
3. Primrose Schools
4. Taco Bell
5. The Goddard School

42. Bank Five Nine

• Location: Oconomowoc, WI
• The company issued 109 loans in 2020-23 for an average loan amount of $912,161.
• Bank Five Nine lent a gross sum of $102,699,900 to franchises in 2023-23

The top 5 franchises that Bank Five Nine lent to are:

1. Bulk Petroleum Corporation
2. Culver’s
3. Kiddie Academy
4. The Goddard School
5. UNITS

43. Meridian Bank

• Location: Malvern, PA
• The company issued 127 loans in 2020-23 for an average loan amount of $772,190.
• Meridian Bank lent a gross sum of $98,628,100 to franchises in 2023-23

The top 5 franchises that Meridian Bank lent to are:

1. Aqua-Tots Swim Schools
2. FASTSIGNS
3. Scooter’s Coffee
4. Servpro
5. WaterStation

44. SouthState Bank, National Association

• Location: Winter Haven, FL
• The company issued 160 loans in 2020-23 for an average loan amount of $612,316.
• SouthState Bank, National Association lent a gross sum of $105,539,300 to franchises in 2023-23

The top 5 franchises that SouthState Bank, National Association lent to are:

1. Batteries Plus Bulbs
2. Dogtopia
3. Express Oil Change/Tire Engine
4. Firehouse Subs
5. Tint World

45. Peapack-Gladstone Bank

• Location: Bedminster, NJ
• The company issued 43 loans in 2020-23 for an average loan amount of $2,234,593.
• Peapack-Gladstone Bank lent a gross sum of $96,965,500 to franchises in 2023-23

The top 5 franchises that Peapack-Gladstone Bank lent to are:

1. Buy-Rite Liquors – License Agr
2. Days Inn
3. Econo Lodge
4. Quality Inn
5. Red Roof Inn

46. Embassy National Bank

• Location: Lawrenceville, GA
• The company issued 56 loans in 2020-23 for an average loan amount of $1,677,818.
• Embassy National Bank lent a gross sum of $93,957,800 to franchises in 2023-23

The top 5 franchises that Embassy National Bank lent to are:

1. Country Inn & Suites By Carlson
2. Econo Lodge
3. Quality Inn
4. Red Roof Inn
5. Travelodge

47. PNC Bank, National Association

• Location: Wilmington, DE
• The company issued 100 loans in 2020-23 for an average loan amount of $928,899.
• PNC Bank, National Association lent a gross sum of $94,717,400 to franchises in 2023-23

The top 5 franchises that PNC Bank, National Association lent to are:

1. Culver’s
2. Dogtopia
3. Kids ‘R’ Kids
4. Primrose Schools
5. The Goddard School

48. Hanmi Bank

• Location: Los Angeles, CA
• The company issued 54 loans in 2020-23 for an average loan amount of $1,705,580.
• Hanmi Bank lent a gross sum of $103,361,300 to franchises in 2023-23

The top 5 franchises that Hanmi Bank lent to are:

1. Jackson Energy (Texaco – 76 Branded Reseller),
2. Nel/Son Distributing, Inc.
3. Ramada
4. Rodeway Inn
5. Wilson Oil, Inc. (Shell) Contr.

49. Ameris Bank

• Location: Atlanta, GA
• The company issued 118 loans in 2020-23 for an average loan amount of $765,392.
• Ameris Bank lent a gross sum of $93,946,000 to franchises in 2023-23

The top 5 franchises that Ameris Bank lent to are:

1. Best Western
2. D1 Sports
3. Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream
4. Premier Petroleum, Inc – Petro
5. Smash My Trash

50. VelocitySBA

• Location: Rancho Cucamonga, CA
• The company issued 49 loans in 2020-23 for an average loan amount of $1,775,386.
• VelocitySBA lent a gross sum of $87,759,900 to franchises in 2023-23

The top 5 franchises that VelocitySBA lent to are:

1. Americas Best Value Inn
2. Chevron – Retail Supply Contra
3. Comfort Inn, Quality Inn
4. Red Roof Inn

Conclusion

Finding the right financing options for your franchise can be a challenging task. There are many different financing options available, each with its own set of pros and cons. In this article, we have reviewed the top 50 franchise financing companies.

We hope that this information has helped you make an informed decision about which financing option is best for your business. Remember to carefully consider all of your options and do your due diligence before committing to any financing agreement.

Visit our website Vetted Biz for more information about financing companies and franchise opportunities!