How to Finance a Glo Tanning Franchise: Pods, Leases and SBA
By Chris Cornella
A Glo Tanning franchise loan funds a membership-based studio that pairs UV and spray tanning with red light therapy, full-body wellness pods and skincare. Because the concept is built around premium equipment and a finished retail suite, most of the money goes into beds, pods, build-out and the cash needed to carry the studio while the member base grows.
This article explains how the studio model works, which parts of the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) drive your budget, what the brand’s SBA Franchise Directory listing and its two notes mean in practice, and how new owners, resale buyers and multi-studio operators usually put their financing together.
US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Glo Tanning; the name is used only to describe the business. Figures in a franchisor’s disclosure document can change from year to year, loan programs and terms vary by lender and borrower, and every loan is subject to lender review and approval. Nothing here is legal, tax or investment advice; review the current disclosure document and franchise agreement with a qualified franchise attorney and accountant.
Glo Tanning Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Concept: a tanning and wellness studio offering UV tanning, spray tanning, red light therapy, full-body wellness pods, automated wellness services and skincare.
- Revenue model: monthly memberships supported by single visits, upgrades and retail skincare.
- Typical site: a leased retail suite, usually in a shopping center, finished with private service rooms.
- Fees and total investment: disclosed in Items 5, 6 and 7 of the current FDD. We could not verify current figures from the franchisor’s own materials, so budget from the latest FDD you receive.
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed as GLO TANNING under code S6013, with notes on the lease addendum and lien position.
- Typical financing mix: an SBA 7(a) or conventional term loan, equipment financing for beds and pods, and a working capital reserve.
What Is Glo Tanning?
Glo Tanning positions itself as a luxury self-care and wellness studio rather than a basic tanning salon. Its locally owned studios promote a menu that runs from traditional UV beds and spray tanning to red light therapy, wellness pods and skincare, all sold through monthly memberships.
How a studio works. Members book or walk in, check in at the front desk and use a private room equipped with a bed, booth or pod. Sessions are short, and front-desk staff sell memberships, upgrades and skincare.
Why lenders view it the way they do. Recurring membership dues are attractive because they make revenue more predictable once a studio matures. On the other hand, the business depends on equipment that wears out and needs upgrades, demand for tanning can swing with the seasons, and the brand’s public financial disclosures are limited. Lenders will focus on the borrower’s liquidity, the lease, the equipment plan and a believable membership ramp-up.
Glo Tanning Franchise Costs
The current FDD is the only dependable source for this brand’s costs. Item 5 sets out the initial franchise fee, Item 6 the recurring fees and Item 7 the estimated initial investment, broken into categories with low and high ranges.
Initial franchise fee. The fee grants the right to open under the brand in an approved location and covers initial training. Ask how the protected territory is defined and whether multi-studio pricing applies.
Lease and build-out. Studios are normally leased, and the build-out is the swing factor in most budgets. Private rooms need walls, doors, electrical capacity for high-draw equipment, ventilation for heat and spray booths, plumbing near spray areas, flooring and finishes that match brand standards.
Equipment and fixtures. Tanning beds, stand-up units, spray booths, red light beds and wellness pods are the core of the investment. Add front-desk technology, furniture, signage and decor.
Opening costs and working capital. Grand-opening marketing, opening skincare inventory, insurance, licenses, deposits, training travel and early payroll belong in the start-up budget, along with the additional funds Item 7 lists for the first months.
Total investment. Map each Item 7 line item to your loan request and make sure the numbers add up to the disclosed total:
- Initial franchise fee
- Lease deposits and rent before opening
- Leasehold improvements and room build-out
- Tanning beds, spray booths, red light beds and wellness pods
- Furniture, technology, signage and decor
- Opening skincare and retail inventory
- Grand-opening marketing, insurance, licenses and training travel
- Additional funds for the initial operating period
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Loan
Royalty, marketing and technology fees. Membership studio franchisors usually charge a royalty on gross sales, a brand or marketing fund contribution, a local marketing requirement and fees for booking and membership software. Item 6 lists each fee, how it is calculated and when it is due.
Equipment refresh obligations. Read the franchise agreement for any requirement to replace or upgrade beds, pods or decor during the term. Those future costs belong in your long-range cash-flow plan.
How lenders factor these costs in. Lenders deduct franchise fees, rent and payroll from projected revenue before measuring what is left for loan payments. Percentage fees rise and fall with sales, but rent, software fees and equipment payments do not, so lenders look closely at the first year, when membership counts are still building.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
We could not verify Glo Tanning’s current net worth, liquid capital or experience requirements from the franchisor’s own materials, so ask for them in writing. Studio franchisors generally look for enough liquid capital to cover the equity injection and reserves, a net worth that supports a personal guarantee, and sales, retail or people-management experience.
The approval process. Expect an inquiry, introductory calls, delivery of the FDD, conversations with current owners, a meeting with the franchise team and final approval. Your lender will want the signed franchise agreement or an approval letter, and the franchisor will usually need to approve your site before the lease is signed.
Ways to Own a Glo Tanning Studio
Opening a new studio. A new location has no operating history, so financing rests on your projections, experience, liquidity and the lease. Our page on financing a franchise start-up explains how these loans are structured.
Buying an existing studio. A resale may come with equipment, members, staff and a lease already in place, subject to franchisor approval and a transfer fee. Read our article on buying a franchise resale for the details.
Financing Options for a Glo Tanning Franchise
SBA 7(a) loans. Because the brand appears on the SBA Franchise Directory, an SBA 7(a) loan is often the first option to consider. It can combine the franchise fee, build-out, equipment, opening inventory and working capital in a single loan.
SBA 504 loans. The SBA 504 program fits owner-occupied real estate and long-lived assets. Most studios lease, but an owner who buys a small retail building or a condo unit for the studio may consider it.
Conventional term loans. Owners with strong credit, collateral and liquidity, or buyers of a mature studio, may qualify for a conventional business loan.
Equipment financing. Beds, booths, red light units and pods can be financed or leased separately, with the equipment serving as collateral. Learn more about franchise equipment financing and leasing.
Working capital and lines of credit. Tanning demand is often strongest before spring and summer and around events, and it can soften in other months. Franchise working capital financing or a line of credit can carry payroll, rent and marketing through slower stretches.
Seller financing on resales. A selling owner may agree to carry part of the purchase price. Seller notes are typically subordinate to the senior loan, and SBA rules or lender policies may limit their terms.
SBA Loans for Glo Tanning Franchisees
The SBA Franchise Directory tells lenders that a brand’s franchise documents have been reviewed for SBA eligibility. A listing does not approve any individual borrower; every Glo Tanning franchise loan is still underwritten on its own merits. Our article on the SBA Franchise Directory explains how lenders use it.
The listing and code S6013. Glo Tanning is listed under code S6013 with two notes. Give your lender the code so it can match your franchise documents to the listing.
Note 1: the lease addendum. When the real estate where the studio operates will secure the SBA-guaranteed loan, the franchisor’s lease addendum may not be signed. In plain English, the addendum is meant for leased locations; if you own the property and pledge it as collateral, that document should not be part of the deal.
Note 2: lien position. The lender must take the proper lien position on all collateral under SBA rules. Expect the lender to review any existing liens, landlord rights and equipment lessor claims so its security interest is in the correct order.
Loan size and application tips. The SBA 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million, although program rules can change. A single studio usually needs far less, and projected cash flow sets the real limit. Use our SBA loan calculator for planning estimates, then bring the FDD, a business plan, personal financial statements, tax returns and the lease proposal to your first meeting.
How Lenders Evaluate a Glo Tanning Deal
Personal credit and financial history. Lenders review credit reports, tax returns and current debts, and owners usually sign personal guarantees.
Net worth and liquidity. Lenders want to see your equity injection plus reserves left over after closing, because cash shortfalls during the membership ramp-up are a key risk.
Industry and management experience. Retail, salon, fitness or membership sales experience helps. Buyers without it should plan to hire a strong studio manager.
Business plan and projections. Model membership sign-ups by month, cancellations, average dues, upgrade and retail sales, payroll, rent and every Item 6 fee. Include seasonality and a realistic ramp-up rather than a straight line.
The FDD and franchise agreement. Lenders review Items 5 through 7 for costs, Item 10 for any franchisor financing, Item 17 for term, renewal and transfer, and Item 19 to see whether the FDD includes financial performance representations. Our explanation of how lenders use the FDD covers what they look for.
Site and lease. Lenders want a lease term that covers the loan, reasonable rent, the franchisor’s site approval and visibility in a busy retail center.
Tanning Beds, Pods and Equipment Planning
Equipment is the heart of a Glo Tanning studio and a major share of the investment. Beds and pods have a useful life, lamps and parts need regular replacement, and newer wellness technology can push owners to upgrade.
Owners often finance the core equipment package at opening and add rooms or newer units once membership demand justifies them. Keep maintenance and lamp-replacement costs in your budget, and ask the franchisor which equipment and vendors are required.
Multi-Unit Growth and Development Agreements
Owners who succeed with one studio often look to add more in the same market, where marketing and management can be shared. Check the FDD for development schedules, fees and the consequences of missing a deadline. Once the first studio has a track record, lenders can underwrite its cash flow together with the new studio’s projections. Our article on multi-unit franchise financing explains how that works.
Real-World Scenarios
A first-time owner from retail management. A store manager opens a new studio, hires an experienced front-desk lead and uses an SBA 7(a) loan for the fee, build-out, equipment and working capital.
A buyer taking over a mature studio. A local entrepreneur buys an existing studio with an established member base, using a term loan plus a small seller note, and budgets for replacing older beds.
An owner adding a second studio. After a strong first year, an owner signs a lease in a nearby suburb and finances the new equipment package separately to preserve cash for marketing.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Budgeting from summaries instead of the full Item 7 table
- Underestimating electrical, ventilation and plumbing work in the build-out
- Projecting membership growth without accounting for cancellations and seasonality
- Signing a lease before franchisor site approval and loan terms are settled
- Leaving no reserve for equipment repairs and lamp replacement
Read our list of franchise loan mistakes for more pitfalls to avoid.
Next Steps to Finance Your Glo Tanning Franchise
Step 1: Get the current FDD. Review it with a franchise attorney and an accountant.
Step 2: Confirm the requirements. Ask the franchisor for its net worth, liquidity and experience minimums in writing.
Step 3: Talk with current owners. Ask about ramp-up, membership retention, staffing and seasonal patterns.
Step 4: Line up a site. Get a lease proposal and build-out estimate for a location the franchisor approves.
Step 5: Build your projections. Combine the Item 7 line items, equipment quotes and a monthly cash-flow forecast.
Step 6: Speak with a financing specialist. Compare SBA 7(a), conventional and equipment financing, and share code S6013.
Step 7: Close and open. Coordinate closing with lease signing, construction and equipment delivery, and protect your working capital reserve.
Glo Tanning Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does a Glo Tanning franchise cost?
The estimated initial investment appears in Item 7 of the current FDD. We could not verify current figures, so build your budget from the latest FDD.
What are the franchise fee and royalty?
The franchise fee is disclosed in Item 5, and the royalty and other ongoing fees in Item 6. Ask about marketing fund and technology fees as well.
Can I get a Glo Tanning franchise loan through the SBA?
The brand is on the SBA Franchise Directory under code S6013, so SBA financing is available to qualified borrowers. Your lender will follow the listing’s notes on the lease addendum and lien position.
Can I finance tanning beds and pods separately?
Yes. Equipment loans or leases can cover beds, booths and pods, which can preserve cash for working capital.
Can I buy an existing Glo Tanning studio?
If one is for sale, yes, with franchisor approval and a transfer fee. Lenders can then review the studio’s actual membership and sales history.
Does the franchisor offer financing?
Item 10 of the FDD describes any financing the franchisor offers. Most owners use SBA, conventional or equipment financing.
How long is the franchise term?
Item 17 explains the term, renewal and transfer rules. Lenders prefer a remaining term that outlasts the loan.
Can I open more than one studio?
Often yes, with franchisor approval. Lenders will weigh your first studio’s results when financing the next one.
Final Thoughts
A Glo Tanning franchise loan finances an equipment-heavy membership studio that blends tanning with newer wellness services. Owners who budget from the current FDD, plan the build-out carefully, follow the SBA listing’s notes and keep a healthy cash reserve put themselves in the best position to grow a loyal member base.
US Professional Funding helps franchise owners and buyers finance start-ups, acquisitions, equipment, working capital and expansion. Explore our franchise business financing options to plan your studio.
