How to Finance a Bella & Lola Grooming Franchise: Salon Costs
By Anthony Cornella
A Bella & Lola Grooming franchise loan pays for what it takes to open a professional pet grooming salon: the franchise fee, a leased space fitted with tubs, tables and dryers, the equipment groomers use every day and the cash to carry the business while the appointment book fills. The brand is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory, so buyers can compare SBA-backed loans with conventional and equipment financing.
US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Bella & Lola Grooming; the name is used only to describe the business. Figures in the franchisor’s disclosure document can change, loan programs and terms vary by lender and borrower, and every loan is subject to review and approval. Nothing in this article is legal, tax or investment advice, so read the current Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and franchise agreement with a franchise attorney and accountant.
Bella & Lola Grooming Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Concept: a storefront grooming salon offering baths, haircuts and related care for pets by appointment.
- Roots: salons operating under the name in the Tampa, Florida area.
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed as “Bella & Lola Grooming” (code S8601), with a note about the Lease Addendum when real estate secures the loan.
- Franchise fee, royalty and investment range: not published in franchisor materials we could verify; see Items 5, 6 and 7 of the current FDD.
- Net worth and liquidity requirements: not published; request them from the franchisor.
- Typical financing mix: an SBA 7(a) or conventional loan for build-out and opening costs, equipment financing for tubs, tables and dryers, and a working capital reserve for groomer payroll during ramp-up.
What Is Bella & Lola Grooming?
Bella & Lola Grooming is a pet grooming salon brand with locations in the Tampa, Florida area. A salon is built around appointment-based services: bathing, brushing, haircuts and breed-specific styling, nail trims and similar care, delivered by trained groomers in a clean, purpose-built space.
Grooming is a recurring need. Many dogs need regular professional care, which gives a well-run salon a base of repeat clients who rebook on a schedule.
How lenders see a grooming franchise. The main assets are a leased, plumbed space, a set of specialized equipment and, above all, the groomers. Lenders focus on whether you can recruit and keep skilled groomers, whether the site has enough nearby pet-owning households and whether your budget carries the salon until the schedule fills.
Bella & Lola Grooming Franchise Costs
We could not verify published fees or an investment range from the franchisor, so every figure in your loan request should come from the current FDD and from quotes for your site.
Initial franchise fee. Item 5 of the FDD discloses the fee, when it is due and whether any part is refundable, plus any fees for additional salons.
Real estate and build-out. Grooming salons typically lease retail space in neighborhood shopping centers. The build-out is more involved than a typical retail store because of plumbing for bathing stations, hot water capacity, floor drains, waterproof wall and floor finishes, ventilation and noise control, and separate areas for check-in, grooming and pets waiting for pickup. Lenders usually fund construction in draws.
Equipment. Expect grooming tubs, hydraulic or electric grooming tables, high-velocity and cage dryers, kennels or holding areas, clippers, shears and blades, washers and dryers for towels, and a scheduling and point-of-sale system.
Opening costs and working capital. Shampoos and supplies, signage, permits, insurance, training, pre-opening marketing and payroll before the salon is fully booked all need funding. Item 7 includes an estimate of additional funds for the initial period.
Total investment. Item 7 of the current FDD gives the full range. Expect line items such as:
- Initial franchise fee
- Deposits, pre-opening rent and leasehold improvements
- Grooming tubs, tables, dryers and kennels
- Tools, supplies and opening inventory
- Furniture, fixtures, signage and scheduling systems
- Training costs and grand-opening marketing
- Licenses, permits, insurance and professional fees
- Additional funds for the initial operating period
Match your budget to the Item 7 total, plus a plumbing contingency.
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Loan
Item 6 of the FDD lists recurring fees, typically including a royalty, a brand or marketing fund contribution, software or technology fees, local marketing requirements, and transfer, renewal and remodel obligations.
How lenders use these figures. Fees based on gross sales are paid before rent, payroll and debt service. Lenders build them into projections and test whether the salon can still cover its Bella & Lola Grooming franchise loan payment if bookings grow more slowly than planned.
Groomer pay. Labor is a major salon expense, so lenders want a groomer compensation plan that matches local rates and still leaves room for debt service.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
Minimum net worth, liquid capital and experience requirements were not published in materials we could verify. Ask the franchisor early, because lenders compare your finances against both the franchisor’s minimums and their own standards.
You do not necessarily need to be a groomer to own a salon, but you should ask whether the franchisor expects owner-operators or allows a manager-run model. The approval process generally includes an application, FDD review, discovery meetings, site approval and signing the franchise agreement.
Ways to Own a Bella & Lola Grooming Salon
Opening a new salon. A new location is financed on projections, the build-out budget and your background. See how pet care start-up financing works.
Buying an existing salon. If a franchisee sells, you gain a client list, groomers and a fitted space. Lenders underwrite the salon’s actual results, but the franchisor must approve the transfer and the landlord must consent to assigning the lease. Read about financing a pet care business acquisition and our article on buying a pet grooming business, which covers groomer retention.
Adding salons. If the franchisor offers multi-unit or development rights, owners can grow one salon at a time, financing each as it opens.
Financing Options for a Bella & Lola Grooming Franchise
SBA 7(a) loans. Because the brand is on the SBA Franchise Directory, the SBA 7(a) program can cover the franchise fee, build-out, equipment, supplies and working capital in one loan, subject to approval.
SBA 504 loans. If you buy the building your salon will occupy, SBA 504 financing can fund owner-occupied real estate and long-lived fixed assets. Most grooming salons lease, so 504 applies only when the owner purchases property.
Conventional term loans. Borrowers with strong credit, liquidity and business experience may qualify for conventional business loans, which can offer structuring flexibility.
Equipment financing. Tubs, tables, dryers, kennels and washers can be financed separately, with the equipment as collateral. Explore pet care equipment financing.
Working capital and lines of credit. A new salon needs cash for groomer payroll and supplies before bookings are full, and an established salon may need it to smooth seasonal swings around holidays and summer. Learn about pet care working capital and lines of credit.
Seller financing on resales. A selling owner may carry part of the price. Seller notes are typically subordinate to the senior loan, and SBA rules may limit their terms, so coordinate with your lender early.
SBA Loans for Bella & Lola Grooming Franchisees
SBA lenders generally require a franchise brand to appear on the SBA Franchise Directory before making an SBA-guaranteed loan to a franchisee. A listing means the brand’s franchise documents have been reviewed for SBA eligibility; it does not approve any individual borrower.
The brand’s listing. The directory lists “Bella & Lola Grooming” under code S8601. Its note says that when the real estate where the franchise business is located will secure the SBA-guaranteed loan, the Lease Addendum may not be executed.
What the note means. Franchisors often attach an addendum to a franchisee’s lease giving them certain rights, such as taking over the space if the franchise ends. If the owner instead owns the building and pledges it as collateral for the SBA loan, there is no lease, and the addendum should not be signed so it does not conflict with the lender’s security. For a leased salon, the note generally changes nothing.
Loan size. The SBA 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million, though program rules can change. A single grooming salon typically requires far less, and the amount depends on your budget and projected cash flow. Our SBA loan calculator gives planning estimates only.
Application tips. Prepare a budget tied to Item 7, a lease or letter of intent, equipment quotes, personal financial statements, tax returns, a resume and a business plan with monthly projections. Our guide to reading the FDD for financing explains which items lenders review.
How Lenders Evaluate a Bella & Lola Grooming Deal
Personal credit and financial history. Expect a review of credit, tax returns and a personal financial statement, plus a personal guarantee.
Net worth and liquidity. Lenders require an equity injection and want reserves left after closing.
Industry and management experience. Grooming, veterinary, pet retail or service management experience helps. If you are new to the industry, show how training and a lead groomer or manager fill the gap.
Business plan and projections. Model appointments per groomer per day, average ticket by service and pet size, rebooking rates, groomer compensation, supplies, rent and franchise fees. Lenders want a realistic ramp, not a full schedule on day one.
Groomer recruiting plan. Because a salon’s capacity equals its groomer hours, lenders may ask how you will hire and retain groomers. A recruiting plan and any franchisor support for hiring strengthen your file.
The FDD and franchise agreement. Lenders review the term, renewal and transfer rules, territory protections and remodel obligations. If Item 19 is included, it shows the franchisor’s financial performance representations, which lenders read as context only.
Site and lease. Lenders look for nearby residential density, visibility, parking for drop-off and pickup, and a lease term that covers the loan. Confirm that the lease and local zoning allow pet grooming.
Historical financials for resales. For an existing salon, provide several years of financial statements, tax returns and booking reports. Our article on the pet care facility lease covers zoning and assignment issues.
Inside the Salon: Equipment and Facility
Layout shapes capacity. The number of bathing stations, tables and dryers sets how many pets can be groomed at once, and the hot water system determines whether tubs can run back to back.
Tubs, tables and dryers are identifiable assets that suit equipment financing, preserving cash while groomers build their books. Get the required equipment list and quotes before finalizing your Bella & Lola Grooming franchise loan request.
Multi-Unit Growth and Development Agreements
Lenders generally want the first salon stabilized, with strong rebooking and clean financial statements, before funding the next. A second salon also needs its own groomer team, so recruiting capacity is as important as capital.
If the franchisor offers a development agreement, plan the financing for each opening before you commit to the schedule.
Real-World Scenarios
A veterinary practice manager opening a salon. A former veterinary practice manager opens a salon in a busy neighborhood center. She uses an SBA 7(a) loan for build-out and working capital and finances the tubs and dryers separately. Her management background and a signed lead groomer help the lender approve the request.
A professional groomer becoming an owner. An experienced groomer with a loyal following opens a salon, and the lender values her hands-on skill and clientele.
A buyer acquiring an existing salon. A buyer purchases an operating salon from a franchisee who is relocating. The lender underwrites actual booking history, and the seller carries a small subordinate note and stays on for a transition period to introduce clients and groomers.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Underestimating plumbing, hot water and drainage costs in the build-out
- Projecting a full groomer schedule from opening day
- Signing a lease before confirming zoning allows pet grooming
- Having no plan to recruit and keep groomers
- Leaving too little working capital for payroll during ramp-up
- Buying an existing salon without checking whether groomers will stay
For more, read pet care business loan mistakes that cost owners the most.
Next Steps to Finance Your Bella & Lola Grooming Franchise
Step 1: Request the current FDD. Review Items 5, 6, 7, 10, 17 and 19 with a franchise attorney and accountant.
Step 2: Confirm the franchisor’s requirements. Ask about net worth, liquidity, experience and ownership model.
Step 3: Build your budget. Tie each line to Item 7 and get build-out and equipment quotes.
Step 4: Talk to a financing specialist. Compare SBA and conventional options before signing a lease.
Step 5: Secure a site. Confirm zoning, plumbing feasibility and a lease term that covers the loan.
Step 6: Apply. Submit financial statements, tax returns, a business plan, a groomer recruiting plan and franchise documents.
Step 7: Close and open. Coordinate funding with construction, hiring and training.
Bella & Lola Grooming Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does a Bella & Lola Grooming franchise cost?
The franchisor does not publish its investment range in materials we could verify. Item 7 of the current FDD gives the estimated range and line items.
What is the franchise fee?
The initial franchise fee is disclosed in Item 5 of the FDD.
What royalty does the franchisor charge?
Item 6 lists the royalty, marketing fund contribution, technology fees and other recurring costs.
How much liquid capital do I need?
Liquidity and net worth requirements were not published in materials we could verify. Plan for an equity injection plus reserves.
Can I get an SBA loan for a Bella & Lola Grooming salon?
Yes, the brand is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory, so SBA lenders can consider applications. Approval depends on your credit, experience, equity and projections.
Do I need to be a groomer?
Not necessarily. Ask the franchisor about its ownership model. Lenders will want to see who will manage daily operations and lead the grooming team.
Can a first-time owner get a Bella & Lola Grooming franchise loan?
Yes, if the franchisor approves you and you meet lender requirements. Management experience, a strong equity contribution and a groomer hiring plan help.
Does the franchisor offer financing?
Item 10 of the FDD discloses any franchisor financing. Buyers typically arrange their own loans with outside lenders.
How long is the franchise term?
Item 17 of the FDD covers the term, renewal and transfer provisions.
Final Thoughts
Financing a Bella & Lola Grooming salon depends on a realistic build-out budget, a site that suits pet owners and a plan for the groomers who generate every dollar of revenue. With the brand on the SBA Franchise Directory, buyers can weigh SBA and conventional options and choose the structure that fits.
US Professional Funding helps franchise owners and buyers finance start-ups, acquisitions, equipment and working capital. Learn more about our franchise loans and pet care facility financing.
