Franchise financing
Smoothie King franchise financing
What it costs to finance a Smoothie King franchise and how buyers fund it. The real numbers: how much gets borrowed, which lenders fund it, and the track record.
By Mario Bailey · Source: SBA FOIA data, as of 2026-03-31
- SBA loans
- 408
- Total funded
- $150.0M
- Median loan
- $325K
- 7(a) charge-off
- 2.3%
What financing a Smoothie King franchise costs
The median SBA loan to a Smoothie King franchisee is $325K, and the middle half of Smoothie King's 408 loans run $225K to $432K (average $368K). Across all SBA-financed franchises the median loan is $350K. Smoothie King buyers borrow less than the typical franchisee.
These are loan amounts, not the brand's total startup cost. Buyers also put in equity (the SBA generally wants at least 10% down on a new franchise), and the brand's own investment estimate is Item 7 of its franchise disclosure document (FDD). The median Smoothie King loan runs 10 years. Model your numbers with the franchise financing calculator.
Of the 389 Smoothie King loans where the SBA recorded a business age, 78.7% went to new businesses two years old or younger. The rest funded existing operations.
How to finance Smoothie King
Smoothie King franchisees have financed with 408 SBA loans since FY2010, averaging $368K each. The 7(a) program is the usual route: it covers the franchise fee, build-out, equipment, and working capital (399 of the 408 loans). Lenders weigh your credit, management experience, and the brand's track record alongside the equity you bring.
Smoothie King's 7(a) charge-off rate is 2.3% across 399 loans, a relative track-record signal lenders and buyers weigh, not a guarantee. See how that compares across franchises.
Lenders that finance Smoothie King
By SBA loan count
Where Smoothie King gets funded
Top states by loan count
- 1. Texas 103
- 2. Georgia 43
- 3. Florida 45
- 4. Illinois 27
- 5. Missouri 19
- 6. Colorado 15
- 7. Indiana 20
- 8. Pennsylvania 9
Financing a Smoothie King?
Get matched with the SBA lenders that actually fund businesses like yours, ranked on real loan data by state, industry, and size. Independent: your details go only to the lenders we match you to, never to data brokers.
Smoothie King SBA financing FAQ
How much does a Smoothie King franchise cost?
The public SBA data shows what buyers actually borrow, not a sticker price: the median SBA loan to a Smoothie King franchisee is $325K, and the middle half of Smoothie King's 408 loans run $225K to $432K. Total investment (including the equity you put in, generally 10% or more) is estimated in Item 7 of Smoothie King's franchise disclosure document.
Can you use an SBA loan for Smoothie King?
Yes. Lenders have funded 408 SBA loans to Smoothie King franchisees, worth $150.0M in all, so Smoothie King is regularly financed with SBA 7(a) and 504 loans.
Can a first-time owner get an SBA loan for Smoothie King?
The data says yes: of Smoothie King's 389 SBA loans that record a business age, 78.7% went to new businesses two years old or younger. Expect the lender to look harder at your experience, business plan, and equity injection.
Which lenders finance Smoothie King?
By loan count, the most active SBA lenders for Smoothie King are Citizens Bank, United Community Bank, The Huntington National Bank, among others. A lender already active with your brand often moves faster.
What is Smoothie King's SBA charge-off rate?
Across Smoothie King's 399 SBA 7(a) loans, 2.3% have charged off. Read it as a relative track-record signal, not a prediction. It is not a lifetime default rate.
Which SBA program fits Smoothie King?
Mostly 7(a): 399 of Smoothie King's 408 SBA loans. The 7(a) program covers the franchise fee, build-out, equipment, and working capital. The median Smoothie King loan term is 10 years.