How to Finance a College HUNKS Franchise: Trucks, Fees and SBA
By Marc Cornella
A College HUNKS franchise loan pays for a business that runs on trucks, crews and booked jobs rather than a storefront. Buyers of a College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving territory are usually financing a franchise fee, vehicles and equipment, launch marketing and enough working capital to carry payroll until both service lines are busy.
Below we cover the franchisor’s 2026 fee and investment figures, how the two-concept model affects a loan request, what the brand’s SBA Franchise Directory listing means and how buyers structure financing.
US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving; the name is used only to describe the business. Figures from the franchisor’s disclosure document and website can change, loan programs and terms vary by lender and borrower, and every loan is subject to review and approval. Nothing here is legal, tax or investment advice. Review the current Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and franchise agreement with a qualified franchise attorney and accountant before you commit.
College HUNKS Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Franchisor: CHHJ Franchising, L.L.C., headquartered in Tampa, Florida. The franchisor cites a 2026 FDD with an issuance date of April 30, 2026, as amended August 26, 2026.
- Initial franchise fee: $65,000 for both concepts (junk removal and moving) or $35,000 for a single concept, according to the franchisor’s investment page.
- Royalty: 7% of gross revenue.
- Brand fund: 2% of gross revenue.
- Estimated initial investment: $193,100 to $345,500 for both concepts, per Item 7 of the 2026 FDD as presented by the franchisor; junk removal alone is listed at $138,100 to $232,000.
- Candidate requirements: a minimum net worth of $200,000 and minimum liquid capital of $75,000.
- System size: the franchisor reports more than 370 territories.
- Franchisor financing: the franchisor states that it does not provide financing.
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed under code S0402, with a note about lien position on collateral explained below.
What Is College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving?
College HUNKS began in the summer of 2003, when best friends Nick Friedman and Omar Soliman started hauling junk in the Washington, D.C. area using a family cargo van. The company incorporated in 2004, opened its first franchise locations in 2007 and now runs training, franchise support and corporate operations from its headquarters in Tampa, Florida.
Two services, one territory. Each franchise sells junk removal and local moving from one office, one territory and one booking system. The franchisor says each service runs its own truck. Junk removal covers bulk pickups, estate cleanouts and downsizing, while moving covers full-service local moves.
A booked-for-you model. A centralized call center books jobs for franchisees, and proprietary CRM and dispatch software routes incoming work, schedules crews and tracks revenue. The franchisor says no prior moving or junk removal experience is required and that most owners come from other industries.
Why lenders view the brand the way they do. Lenders generally see a service business with modest real estate needs, tangible vehicle collateral and centralized lead generation. They also see a labor-heavy operation with seasonal moving demand, where early cash flow depends on how fast the owner hires crews.
College HUNKS Franchise Costs
The franchisor’s investment page lists these components of the total investment: the franchise fee, vehicles and equipment, technology setup, initial marketing, working capital and training. It notes that the range reflects market-specific variables such as real estate and vehicle costs.
Initial franchise fee. The fee is $65,000 for both concepts or $35,000 for one. Qualifying U.S. military veterans and first responders receive a discount on the initial franchise fee; confirm the current amount with the franchisor, because its own pages show different figures.
Office and real estate. Both services share one office, and the franchisor does not describe a retail storefront. Most owners lease a modest office or yard space with room to park trucks, so real estate is usually a small part of the budget compared with restaurant or hotel franchises.
Trucks and equipment. Vehicles and equipment are the heart of the capital budget. A two-concept launch needs at least one truck for each service line, plus dollies, straps, moving blankets, hand tools, uniforms and safety gear.
Opening costs and working capital. Launch marketing, technology setup, training-related costs and working capital round out the investment. Working capital matters because crews must be hired and paid before the territory has steady volume.
Total investment. According to the 2026 FDD as presented on the franchisor’s site, the estimated initial investment is:
- Both concepts (junk removal and moving): $193,100 to $345,500
- Junk removal only: $138,100 to $232,000
- Included categories: franchise fee, vehicles and equipment, technology setup, initial marketing, working capital and training
The franchisor’s public pages do not break each category into dollar ranges, so request the full Item 7 table before you build a loan budget. Your truck count and whether you buy or lease will move your total within the range.
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Loan
Royalty. College HUNKS charges a royalty of 7% of gross revenue.
Brand fund. Franchisees contribute 2% of gross revenue to the brand fund.
Other recurring costs. The franchisor’s investment page lists no separate technology fee. Review Item 6 for any other fees, and budget for fuel, insurance, truck maintenance and disposal fees.
How lenders factor these costs in. With 9% of gross revenue committed to royalty and brand fund, a lender starts by deducting those fees and labor from projected revenue before looking at debt service. Because crew wages are the largest variable cost, lenders will want to see a staffing plan that shows how labor scales as job volume grows, and how the business covers payroll during slower months.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
- Net worth: a minimum of $200,000.
- Liquid capital: a minimum of $75,000.
- Experience: no moving or hauling background is required; the franchisor provides training and ongoing coaching.
The approval process. The franchisor describes a discovery process of about 70 days leading to a Decision Day, followed by about 110 to 140 days to open. Lining up financing early keeps that window on track.
The $75,000 liquidity requirement is a franchisor threshold, not a loan down payment. Lenders will look separately at how much cash you inject and how much you keep in reserve after closing.
Ways to Own a College HUNKS
A new territory. Most buyers start with a new protected territory and decide whether to launch both concepts or junk removal alone. A start-up loan here is underwritten on projections, the owner’s experience and liquidity. Our overview of franchise start-up financing explains how lenders approach new units.
Buying an existing territory. A resale gives the buyer trucks, trained crews, customer reviews and an operating history. Lenders can underwrite actual results, and the trucks themselves support the loan. Read our article on buying a franchise resale for transfer approval and timing, and see how we finance service business acquisitions.
Financing Options for a College HUNKS Franchise
SBA 7(a) loans. Because College HUNKS is on the SBA Franchise Directory, an SBA 7(a) loan is often the first option buyers explore. A 7(a) loan can cover the franchise fee, trucks and equipment, launch marketing and working capital in one package, or finance the purchase of an existing territory.
SBA 504 loans. The 504 program finances owner-occupied real estate and long-lived fixed assets, so it usually fits only when an established owner buys a building or yard.
Conventional term loans. A conventional business loan can work for experienced owners with strong liquidity, especially when they add territories or refinance. Terms depend on the borrower’s credit, collateral and cash flow.
Equipment and vehicle financing. The franchisor itself suggests financing vehicles and gear separately so working capital stays available for payroll and marketing. Trucks, liftgates, dollies and related equipment can often be financed or leased on their own terms. Learn more about franchise equipment financing and leasing.
Working capital and lines of credit. Moving demand peaks in spring and summer, while junk removal runs year-round. A line of credit can help an owner hire and train crews ahead of the busy season and cover payroll during slower stretches. See our working capital options for service businesses.
Seller financing on resales. On a resale, a seller may carry part of the price. A seller note is typically subordinate to the senior loan, and SBA rules may limit its structure, so coordinate terms with your lender first.
SBA Loans for College HUNKS Franchisees
SBA lenders generally require a franchise brand to appear on the SBA Franchise Directory before they can make an SBA-guaranteed loan to one of its franchisees. A listing means the brand’s franchise agreement has been reviewed for SBA eligibility; it does not approve any individual borrower.
The College HUNKS listing. The directory lists code S0402 for College Hunks Hauling Junk, College Hunks Moving and College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving. The franchisor also describes itself as an SBA-approved franchise brand.
What the directory note means. The listing carries this note: the lender must ensure it obtains the correct lien position for all collateral as required by SBA’s standard operating procedures. In plain English, the lender must confirm that its lien on business assets such as trucks and equipment sits where SBA rules require, and that nothing in the franchise relationship undercuts that position. Expect your lender to check vehicle titles, any franchisor rights in the assets and any existing liens before closing.
SBA application tips.
- Give the lender the full FDD and franchise agreement early.
- Show a truck plan: how many vehicles you will buy or lease, and when.
- Document the source of your cash injection.
- The SBA 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million, though program rules can change.
Our SBA loan calculator can help with early payment estimates, which are for planning only and are not an offer or approval.
How Lenders Evaluate a College HUNKS Deal
Personal credit and financial history. Lenders review credit, tax returns and a personal financial statement, and typically require personal guarantees.
Net worth and liquidity. Meeting the franchisor’s $200,000 net worth and $75,000 liquidity minimums is the starting point. Lenders also want to see reserves left after the equity injection to cover payroll while the territory ramps up.
Industry and management experience. The franchisor does not require hauling experience, but lenders give weight to experience managing hourly teams, scheduling, customer service and sales. Military leadership, operations management and logistics backgrounds translate well.
Business plan and projections. Projections should model monthly job volume, crew wages, trucks, fuel, disposal costs, royalty and brand fund, with junk removal and moving shown separately because moving is more seasonal. Our guide to writing a franchise business plan for an SBA loan walks through the format lenders expect.
The FDD and franchise agreement. Lenders review the term, renewal and transfer provisions in Item 17, any franchisor financing disclosed in Item 10 and whether Item 19 includes financial performance representations. The franchisor’s materials confirm that the 2026 FDD includes Item 19 information; rely on the full document and your own projections rather than averages.
Office and parking lease. Even a small lease matters. Lenders check that the lease term covers the loan period and that trucks can be parked legally.
Historical financials for resales. For an existing territory, expect to provide several years of profit and loss statements, tax returns, job reports and a list of trucks with titles and mileage.
Trucks, Equipment and the Collateral Picture
Trucks are both the largest equipment cost and the most important collateral in a College HUNKS deal. Lenders will look at whether vehicles are bought new or used, financed or leased, and how many miles they will run each year.
Buy or lease. The franchisor’s financing page mentions operating leases with lower upfront cost and dedicated financing for specialized hauling equipment, alongside equipment loans. Leasing preserves cash but adds a fixed monthly payment that lenders count against cash flow. Buying adds collateral but uses more of the loan or your cash.
Lien coordination. Because of the directory note on lien position, keep a clear record of every vehicle title, lease and lien; when a 7(a) loan sits alongside separate truck financing, the lenders must agree on which assets secure which debt.
Multi-Unit Growth and Development Agreements
Many owners begin with one territory and add more once the first is running smoothly. The franchisor says its development team can review multi-unit options during the introductory call.
Financing a second or third territory. Once you have operating history, lenders can underwrite the existing territory’s cash flow alongside the new one. Expansion usually means more trucks, more crews and more working capital rather than real estate. Our article on multi-unit franchise financing explains how lenders size growth loans.
Real-World Scenarios
A veteran launching both concepts. A recently separated service member meets the net worth and liquidity minimums, applies the veteran discount on the franchise fee and uses an SBA 7(a) loan for the remaining start-up costs and working capital. Our article on franchise financing for veterans covers related options.
A buyer acquiring an existing territory. A buyer purchases an operating territory with trucks and trained crews. The lender underwrites the seller’s historical financials, values the vehicles as collateral and confirms lien positions under the directory note.
An owner adding a neighboring territory. An established franchisee finances a second territory’s trucks separately and opens a line of credit to staff up before moving season.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Treating the $75,000 liquidity minimum as your full cash need instead of a qualification threshold
- Budgeting too little working capital for crew payroll during the ramp-up period
- Projecting moving revenue as flat across the year instead of seasonal
- Financing trucks with separate lenders without coordinating lien positions
- Ignoring fuel, insurance, disposal fees and truck maintenance in projections
- Buying an existing territory without inspecting truck condition and titles
For more pitfalls that apply to service and cleaning businesses, read the restoration company loan mistakes that cost owners the most.
Next Steps to Finance Your College HUNKS Franchise
Step 1: Confirm you meet the requirements. Check your net worth and liquid capital against the franchisor’s $200,000 and $75,000 minimums, and confirm whether you qualify for the veteran or first responder discount.
Step 2: Request and review the FDD. Study Items 5, 6, 7, 10, 17, 19 and 20 with a franchise attorney and accountant.
Step 3: Choose one or both concepts. Decide whether to launch junk removal and moving together or start with one, and set your truck plan.
Step 4: Talk with a financing specialist early. Learn how lenders will size a College HUNKS franchise loan before Decision Day.
Step 5: Build your projections and sources and uses. Model jobs, crews, trucks, fees and seasonality month by month.
Step 6: Apply and coordinate collateral. Submit your loan package and make sure every truck lease or loan fits the lender’s lien requirements.
Step 7: Close and launch. Fund working capital, complete training and hire your first crews ahead of opening.
College HUNKS Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does a College HUNKS franchise cost?
According to Item 7 of the 2026 FDD as presented by the franchisor, the estimated initial investment is $193,100 to $345,500 for both concepts and $138,100 to $232,000 for junk removal alone.
What is the College HUNKS franchise fee?
The initial franchise fee is $65,000 for both concepts or $35,000 for a single concept. Qualifying veterans and first responders receive a discount.
What royalty does College HUNKS charge?
The royalty is 7% of gross revenue, and franchisees also contribute 2% of gross revenue to the brand fund.
How much liquid capital and net worth do I need?
The franchisor lists a minimum net worth of $200,000 and minimum liquid capital of $75,000.
Is College HUNKS approved for SBA loans?
College HUNKS is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory under code S0402, so SBA lenders can consider 7(a) and 504 loans for its franchisees, subject to the directory note on lien position and normal underwriting.
Does College HUNKS offer financing?
The franchisor states that it does not provide financing or guarantee loan approval. Review Item 10 of the current FDD for its financing disclosures.
Can I finance the trucks separately?
Yes. Trucks and equipment can often be financed or leased separately, which can preserve working capital. Coordinate any separate financing with your main lender because of the directory note on lien position.
Can I get a College HUNKS franchise loan to buy an existing territory?
Yes. Lenders can finance a resale based on the territory’s historical financials, the value of its trucks and equipment and the buyer’s qualifications, subject to the franchisor’s transfer approval.
Can a first-time business owner get a College HUNKS franchise loan?
Yes. The franchisor does not require moving or hauling experience, and lenders weigh management experience, liquidity, credit and a realistic business plan.
What documents do I need for a loan application?
Expect personal tax returns, a personal financial statement, a resume, the FDD and franchise agreement, projections, a truck plan and proof of your cash injection. Resale buyers also need the seller’s financials.
Does the FDD include financial performance information?
Yes. The franchisor’s materials state that the 2026 FDD includes Item 19 information. Review the full Item 19 and its assumptions, and build your own projections rather than relying on averages.
Final Thoughts
A College HUNKS franchise loan comes down to trucks, crews and cash flow. Buyers who understand the fee structure, plan their truck purchases or leases, keep enough working capital for payroll and coordinate collateral under the SBA directory note give themselves the best chance at a smooth launch or acquisition.
US Professional Funding helps franchise owners and buyers finance start-ups, acquisitions, equipment, working capital and refinancing. Learn more about our franchise financing and cleaning and restoration business financing solutions.
