How to Finance The Gents Place Franchise: Men’s Grooming Clubs
By Marc Cornella
The Gents Place franchise loan usually funds an upscale grooming club rather than a quick-cut barbershop: a finished interior with private service areas, a lounge and bar space, barber and spa equipment, retail fixtures and the working capital to build a membership base. The brand is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory with a specific condition about who the facility serves, and that condition shapes how an SBA loan is documented.
US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by The Gents Place; the name is used only to describe the business. Figures from the franchisor’s disclosure document can change, loan programs and terms vary by 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 franchise attorney and an accountant before you commit.
The Gents Place Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Concept: a men’s grooming and lifestyle club offering haircuts, straight razor shaves, hand and foot treatments, shoe shines and spa services in a club setting with a beverage menu.
- Founded: 2008 by founder Ben Davis, with the first club in Frisco, Texas.
- Franchising: the brand launched national franchising in 2016, paused during the pandemic and resumed franchise development in 2023.
- Revenue model: annual memberships paid up front, plus services for guests and retail sales.
- Fees and investment: we could not verify the franchise fee, royalty, marketing fee, total investment or net worth requirements, so rely on Items 5, 6 and 7 of the current FDD.
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed under code S2455, with a note requiring an affidavit that the business is open to both men and women.
What Is The Gents Place?
The Gents Place was founded in 2008 by Ben Davis, who opened the first club in Frisco, Texas. The brand describes itself as a lifestyle club that takes men’s grooming to the next level, and it positions each location as a place for networking as well as relaxation. Services include haircuts, straight razor shaves, hand and foot treatments, shoe shines and other spa services, with retail grooming products on site.
Membership sits at the center of the model. Members pay up front for a year of services, and the brand ties each annual membership to a meal for a homeless veteran. New guests can also book services before joining. Clubs have operated in Texas, Illinois, Nevada and Arkansas, with franchise development resuming in 2023 after a pause during the pandemic.
Why lenders look closely at the model. Prepaid memberships bring in cash early, but they also create an obligation to deliver a year of services. Lenders will want to understand how membership revenue is recognized, how renewals trend and how much of the opening budget goes into a high-end interior that has limited resale value.
The Gents Place Franchise Costs
We could not verify the franchise fee or total investment from the FDD, so use Item 7 of the current document as the only reliable source for the total and each line item.
Initial franchise fee. Item 5 lists the fee, when it is due and any discount for additional units under a development agreement.
Real estate and build-out. This is usually the largest cost. A club format needs private service rooms or stations, a lounge, a bar or beverage area, plumbing for shampoo and shave stations, upgraded lighting and finishes, sound control and accessible restrooms. Second-generation salon space can lower plumbing costs, but the finish level still drives the budget.
Equipment and furniture. Barber and styling chairs, shampoo bowls, hot towel cabinets, shoe shine stands, pedicure and manicure stations, lounge furniture, beverage equipment and point-of-sale and booking technology.
Opening costs and working capital. Hiring and training barbers and service staff, licensing, insurance, opening retail inventory, pre-opening membership marketing and a cash reserve while the member base grows.
Typical Item 7 categories. Map your loan request to lines like these:
- Initial franchise fee
- Lease deposits and rent before opening
- Leasehold improvements and construction
- Architectural and design fees
- Grooming, spa and shoe shine equipment
- Lounge furniture, fixtures and signage
- Beverage equipment and any required permits
- Computer, booking and point-of-sale systems
- Opening retail inventory and supplies
- Training, travel and grand-opening marketing
- Additional funds for the period stated in Item 7
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Loan
Item 6 discloses the royalty, any brand or marketing fund contribution, technology fees, local advertising requirements and transfer and renewal fees. We could not verify these amounts, so read Item 6 carefully.
Lenders subtract royalties and fund contributions from projected revenue before calculating debt service coverage. A grooming club also carries meaningful payroll, rent on a well-located space and the cost of delivering services members have already paid for. A lender will test whether projected membership and guest revenue covers those costs and loan payments with a margin left over.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
We could not verify minimum net worth or liquid capital requirements. The franchisor’s application process and Item 7 will show what you need to bring.
Franchise buyers in the system have included existing franchisees adding locations and local business owners investing in their own markets. Expect discovery calls, a review of your finances and background, site approval and a signed agreement before construction begins. Experience managing a premium service business, staff or a membership model will help with both the franchisor and a lender.
Ways to Own The Gents Place
A new club. Most buyers lease and build out a new location. Our franchise start-up financing page explains how lenders structure build-out projects.
Buying an existing club. A resale gives a lender real membership counts, renewal history and tax returns. The franchisor must approve the transfer, and the lease must be assignable. Read our guide to buying a franchise resale before you make an offer.
Multiple clubs. Some owners sign for more than one location in a market. That spreads marketing across clubs but increases the capital and management needed.
Financing Options for The Gents Place Franchise
SBA 7(a) loans. An SBA 7(a) loan can combine leasehold improvements, equipment, the franchise fee and working capital. The program maximum is currently $5 million.
SBA 504 loans. If an owner buys the building or a commercial condo for the club, an SBA 504 loan can finance the real estate and long-lived improvements.
Conventional term loans. Experienced operators with strong collateral may use a conventional business loan, often for a second or third club.
Equipment financing. Barber chairs, shampoo stations, pedicure units, shoe shine stands and beverage equipment can be financed separately through franchise equipment financing, preserving cash for the build-out.
Working capital and lines of credit. Payroll and rent start before membership revenue builds, and membership sales tend to come in waves around launch events and the holidays. A franchise working capital line can smooth those gaps.
Seller financing. On a resale, a seller note can bridge part of the price. It is usually subordinate to the main loan, and program rules may limit its terms.
SBA Loans for The Gents Place Franchisees
SBA lenders rely on the SBA Franchise Directory to confirm that a brand’s agreements have been reviewed for eligibility. The Gents Place is listed under code S2455, and the listing carries one note that matters for every borrower.
What the directory note means. The lender or CDC must obtain an affidavit signed by the applicant stating that the business is open to both men and women, and must document the file with evidence, such as appropriate bath or locker rooms or membership demographics. In plain terms, because the brand is marketed to men, an SBA borrower has to show the club does not exclude women as customers. Plan for this early: confirm with the franchisor how your location will serve all customers, make sure the floor plan includes suitable restrooms and keep membership records that show who is served. The SBA provides a template affidavit to lenders on request.
A listing does not approve a borrower. You still need to meet SBA eligibility rules, show adequate equity and satisfy the lender’s credit standards.
SBA application tips. Bring the current FDD, a lease or letter of intent, contractor bids, equipment quotes, a business plan with a realistic membership ramp, tax returns, a personal financial statement and proof of your cash injection. Test payment scenarios for a Gents Place franchise loan with our SBA loan calculator.
How Lenders Evaluate The Gents Place Deal
Personal credit and financial history. Lenders review credit, debts and how you have handled prior obligations.
Net worth and liquidity. Expect to fund an equity injection and still hold reserves after opening, because membership revenue builds over months.
Management experience. Experience running a salon, spa, hospitality venue or membership business helps. If you plan to be semi-absentee, show who will manage the club day to day. Our article on semi-absentee franchise financing covers what lenders expect.
Business plan and projections. Build projections around membership sales, renewals, guest visits, service capacity per barber and retail. Account for staff ramp-up and the obligation to serve prepaid members.
The FDD and franchise agreement. Lenders read Items 5, 6, 7, 10, 17, 19 and 20. Check Item 19 to see whether the FDD includes financial performance representations. Our guide to reading the FDD for financing explains each item.
Site and lease. Lenders review the lease term, renewal options, tenant improvement allowance and whether the space supports the club’s layout, including restrooms that satisfy the SBA note.
Resale financials. For an existing club, lenders look at tax returns, active members, renewal rates and staff retention.
The Club Build-Out and Equipment
A premium club lives or dies on its environment. Finishes, lighting, sound and furniture are part of the product, so build-out costs tend to run higher than a standard barbershop of the same size. Keep construction bids separate from equipment and furniture quotes so the lender can finance each piece over an appropriate term.
Beverage service may require local permits, and those rules vary by city and state. Confirm what your location needs before you finalize the budget, and include any permit and equipment costs in your Gents Place franchise loan request.
Multi-Unit Growth and Development Agreements
Franchise development in the system has included owner groups opening more than one club in a metro area. A second club lets an owner share management, marketing and recruiting across locations, but lenders will want to see the first club’s membership and cash flow before funding the next.
If you sign a development agreement, match your loan plan to the opening schedule. Our article on multi-unit franchise financing explains how lenders fund a growing portfolio.
Real-World Scenarios
A professional opening a first club. A business owner leases second-generation salon space and uses an SBA 7(a) loan for improvements, equipment and working capital, with a floor plan that supports the SBA affidavit.
A multi-unit group. Two couples sign for neighboring territories, finance the first club through SBA and plan a conventional loan for the second once the first shows steady renewals.
A resale buyer. A buyer acquires an established club with an active member base. The lender reviews renewal history, and a seller note covers a small gap.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overlooking the SBA affidavit and documentation requirement until closing.
- Underestimating the cost of premium finishes and lounge furniture.
- Treating prepaid membership cash as profit instead of an obligation to serve members.
- Hiring too few barbers to serve members at peak times.
- Opening without a reserve for the membership ramp-up.
See more in our guide to franchise loan mistakes.
Next Steps to Finance Your Gents Place Franchise
Step 1: Review the current FDD. Focus on Items 5, 6, 7, 17, 19 and 20.
Step 2: Confirm your finances. Compare your cash and net worth with Item 7 and the franchisor’s requirements.
Step 3: Find a site. Confirm the layout supports the club format and the SBA note.
Step 4: Get bids and quotes. Collect contractor bids, equipment and furniture pricing.
Step 5: Build projections. Use a conservative membership ramp.
Step 6: Talk with a financing specialist. Compare SBA 7(a), SBA 504, conventional and equipment options.
Step 7: Apply and close. Submit a complete package, including the signed affidavit, and align closing with construction.
The Gents Place Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does The Gents Place franchise cost?
Item 7 of the current FDD gives the total investment and each line item. Cost depends mostly on the size and condition of the space and the finish level of the build-out.
What is the franchise fee and royalty?
Items 5 and 6 of the FDD disclose the initial fee, royalty and other ongoing fees. We could not verify them.
Can I get an SBA loan for The Gents Place?
Yes, subject to approval. The brand is listed under code S2455, so a Gents Place franchise loan can be considered under SBA programs if the applicant signs the required affidavit and documents that the business is open to both men and women.
What does the SBA affidavit require?
A signed statement that the business is open to both men and women, supported by evidence such as appropriate bath or locker rooms or membership demographics.
How do memberships affect my loan?
Prepaid annual memberships bring in cash early, but lenders will look at renewals and the cost of serving members over the year.
Can I finance equipment separately?
Yes. Chairs, shampoo stations, pedicure units and beverage equipment can often be financed apart from the build-out.
Can I buy an existing club?
Yes, with franchisor approval and an assignable lease. Lenders will review membership and financial history.
Can I own more than one club?
Yes. Owner groups in the system have developed multiple clubs, and lenders fund growth based on the first club’s results.
Does The Gents Place offer financing?
Item 10 of the FDD discloses any financing the franchisor offers.
How long is the franchise term?
Item 17 of the FDD lists the term, renewal and transfer conditions.
Final Thoughts
The Gents Place pairs men’s grooming with a club atmosphere and prepaid memberships, which makes the build-out and the membership ramp the heart of the financing plan. A well-prepared Gents Place franchise loan request combines the current FDD, a suitable site, conservative projections and early attention to the SBA affidavit.
US Professional Funding helps franchise buyers compare SBA, conventional, equipment and working capital financing for new and existing locations. Explore our franchise financing solutions to plan your next step.
