How to Finance a Clean Juice Franchise: Organic Juice Bar Costs
By Anthony Cornella
A Clean Juice franchise loan typically finances a small-footprint juice bar: a leased storefront, a build-out, juicing and blending equipment and enough working capital to carry a new store through its ramp-up. Clean Juice describes itself as the first and only USDA-certified organic juice bar franchise, and that organic positioning shapes everything from inventory costs to how a lender reads your projections.
This article covers the franchisor’s published fees and requirements, how its two storefront formats change the budget, what the brand’s SBA Franchise Directory listing means and how buyers combine SBA, conventional, equipment and working capital financing.
US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Clean Juice; 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 lender 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.
Clean Juice Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Initial franchise fee: $30,000 for a traditional storefront and $15,000 for a non-traditional storefront, according to the franchisor’s franchising website.
- Royalty: 6% of gross sales, paid monthly.
- Marketing: 3% of sales for traditional storefronts and 1% for non-traditional storefronts.
- Estimated initial investment: the franchisor’s site, updated in 2026, puts a single store at $395,000 to $410,000, including $35,000 paid to the franchisor.
- Financial requirements: $125,000 in liquidity and a $250,000 net worth.
- Formats: traditional storefronts of 600 to 1,000 square feet with a 10-year term, and non-traditional storefronts of 300 to 600 square feet with a 5-year term.
- Opening deadline: stores must open within nine months of signing a franchise agreement.
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed as Clean Juice (code S0388), with no additional directory note.
What Is Clean Juice?
Clean Juice was founded by Landon and Kat Eckles with a mission, in the company’s words, to provide the communities it serves with a truly healthy and delicious product in an inviting atmosphere. The menu centers on cold-pressed juices and smoothies, alongside bowls, wraps, sandwiches, toasts and juice cleanses.
The organic difference. The company says the ingredients in its cold-pressed juices come from USDA-certified organic sources, and it markets the brand as the first and only USDA-certified organic juice bar franchise. For an owner, that means a supply chain built around organic produce and approved suppliers, which affects food cost and inventory planning.
Store formats. The franchisor offers a traditional storefront of 600 to 1,000 square feet and a non-traditional storefront of 300 to 600 square feet. Smaller footprints keep build-out costs lower than a full restaurant, but the space still needs plumbing, refrigeration and electrical capacity for commercial juicing and blending.
How lenders see the brand. Lenders generally view Clean Juice as a small-format, health-focused franchise with a modest investment and published owner requirements. They will focus on the site, the owner’s involvement, rent relative to projected sales and the organic food cost assumptions in the business plan.
Clean Juice Franchise Costs
Initial franchise fee. The franchising website lists a $30,000 initial franchise fee for a traditional storefront and $15,000 for a non-traditional storefront. The franchisor says the fee covers access to its training program, materials and the home office team. Military veterans receive a 50% reduction on the initial franchise fee for their first store.
Lease and build-out. Clean Juice stores typically occupy leased retail space. The build-out covers plumbing, electrical work, flooring, counters, a customer area and branded finishes. The franchisor says you cannot sign a retail lease until its real estate team has approved, and usually visited, the site.
Equipment. Expect commercial cold-press juicers, high-speed blenders, refrigeration and freezers, display coolers for bottled juice, prep tables, sinks and point-of-sale technology.
Opening costs and working capital. Opening inventory, training, grand opening marketing and operating funds for the first months are part of the initial investment.
Total investment. The franchisor’s site, updated in 2026, estimates the total initial investment for a single store at $395,000 to $410,000, including $35,000 paid to the franchisor. The full Item 7 table in the current FDD breaks that total into line items, typically including:
- Initial franchise fee and other payments to the franchisor
- Leasehold improvements and construction
- Juicing, blending and refrigeration equipment
- Furniture, fixtures and signage
- Technology and point-of-sale systems
- Opening inventory
- Training and travel
- Grand opening marketing
- Additional funds for the initial operating period
Review Item 7 for the range and assumptions behind each line, and compare them with your landlord’s tenant improvement allowance and local contractor bids.
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Loan
Royalty. Clean Juice charges a royalty of 6% of gross sales, paid monthly.
Marketing. Traditional storefronts contribute 3% of sales and non-traditional storefronts 1%, which the franchisor says supports national advertising and other systems.
Other costs. The franchisor lists rent, utilities, payroll, local marketing and inventory among a store’s ongoing monthly expenses. Item 6 of the FDD lists technology, transfer, renewal and other franchisor fees.
How lenders factor these costs in. For a traditional store, royalty and marketing together take 9% of sales before rent, labor and organic ingredients. Lenders deduct these from projected revenue before measuring debt service coverage, and they stress-test projections against slower sales months.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
Clean Juice publishes its financial requirements on its franchising website.
- Liquidity: $125,000.
- Net worth: $250,000.
- Local ownership: the franchisor prefers that franchisees live where they work, with possible exceptions.
- Time commitment: the franchisor says owners may spend 40 or more hours a week in the store for the first 6 to 9 months.
- Opening timeline: the store must open within nine months of signing, and leasing often takes most of that time.
The approval process. The franchisor describes an inquiry, a get-to-know-you call, an application with documents and background checks, FDD review and receipt, leadership approval with proof of funding, and then signing of the franchise agreement. Because proof of funding comes before signing, talking with a financing specialist early helps you show your Clean Juice franchise loan plan at the right moment.
Ways to Own a Clean Juice
A new traditional storefront. The standard path is a 600 to 1,000 square foot store with a 10-year term. Lenders underwrite on projections, the lease and your experience. See our franchise start-up financing options.
A non-traditional storefront. A 300 to 600 square foot store carries a lower franchise fee and marketing contribution but a shorter 5-year term. Lenders will weigh that shorter term when setting loan length.
Buying an existing store. A resale gives a lender actual sales history. Learn about buying a franchise resale and our franchise restaurant acquisition financing.
Multi-unit development. Developers commit to at least two stores, as described below.
Financing Options for a Clean Juice Franchise
SBA 7(a) loans. The SBA 7(a) loan program can combine build-out, equipment, the franchise fee and working capital in one loan for qualified borrowers, which suits a Clean Juice store’s investment size.
SBA 504 loans. The SBA 504 program is designed for owner-occupied real estate and long-lived fixed assets. Because most juice bars lease space, 504 usually applies only if an owner buys a building.
Conventional term loans. A conventional business loan may fit an experienced operator or a multi-unit developer with strong collateral.
Equipment financing. Cold-press juicers, blenders, refrigeration and display coolers can be financed separately, preserving cash for opening. Learn more about restaurant equipment financing and leasing.
Working capital and lines of credit. Organic produce is perishable and bought frequently, and a new store carries payroll before sales stabilize. A line of credit can smooth those needs. See our restaurant working capital solutions.
Seller financing on resales. A seller may carry part of the price. Any seller note is typically subordinate to the senior lender, and SBA and other programs may limit how it is structured.
SBA Loans for Clean Juice Franchisees
SBA lenders generally need a brand on the SBA Franchise Directory before they can make an SBA-guaranteed loan to one of its franchisees. The directory confirms the franchise relationship has been reviewed for eligibility; it does not approve any borrower.
Clean Juice’s listing. Clean Juice appears on the SBA Franchise Directory under code S0388 with no additional note. In plain terms, lenders can review a Clean Juice franchise loan under standard SBA franchise procedures without a brand-specific condition. The SBA 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million, though program rules can change.
SBA application tips. Prepare a business plan, the franchisor’s approval or signed agreement, a lease or letter of intent, build-out bids, equipment quotes and personal financial documents. The SBA loan calculator can help with early payment estimates, which are for planning only.
How Lenders Evaluate a Clean Juice Deal
Personal credit and financial history. Lenders review credit, tax returns and personal financial statements and typically require personal guarantees.
Net worth and liquidity. Clean Juice’s $125,000 liquidity and $250,000 net worth requirements set a baseline. Lenders also want reserves after the equity injection.
Industry and management experience. Food service, retail or management experience helps, as does a plan for the owner’s hands-on involvement during the first months.
Business plan and projections. Projections should reflect organic food costs, the 6% royalty and marketing contribution, rent, and the franchisor’s staffing model of a general manager, an assistant manager, three to five shift leaders and ten or more team members.
The FDD and franchise agreement. Lenders look at the term, renewal and transfer provisions, especially for a non-traditional store with a 5-year term. Review Item 19 to see what financial performance representations the FDD includes.
Site and lease. Lenders want a lease term that supports the loan, approval from the franchisor’s real estate team and reasonable occupancy costs.
Historical financials for resales. Expect several years of profit and loss statements, sales reports and tax returns.
Juicing Equipment and Organic Inventory
A Clean Juice store runs on a compact but specialized equipment package. Cold-press juicers, commercial blenders, under-counter and walk-in refrigeration, and display coolers for bottled juices and cleanses are central to daily operations. Equipment downtime directly stops sales, so lenders like to see maintenance plans and a reserve for repairs.
Inventory is the other consideration. Organic produce has a short shelf life, so purchasing, waste control and prep scheduling directly affect margins. A working capital cushion helps a new owner manage those costs while learning the store’s sales patterns.
Multi-Unit Growth and Development Agreements
Clean Juice’s development program requires a commitment to at least two stores. The development fee, paid at signing, equals the sum of the initial franchise fees for the stores in the agreement. The first store carries the full initial franchise fee, and each additional store’s fee is reduced by 50%. The franchisor says nearly 2 out of 5 franchisees operate multiple units.
Financing a development schedule. Lenders generally finance each store as it opens rather than the entire schedule up front. The first store’s performance, combined cash flow and the development deadlines all shape the next loan. Read about financing an area development agreement.
Real-World Scenarios
A veteran opening a first store. A military veteran uses the 50% reduction on the first store’s franchise fee, finances build-out and equipment with an SBA 7(a) loan and keeps a working capital reserve. Our page on veteran franchise financing covers related options.
A non-traditional location. An owner opens a smaller non-traditional storefront. The lender sizes the loan with the 5-year franchise term in mind and asks for renewal plans.
A two-store developer. A couple signs a two-store development agreement, finances the first store, and returns to the lender with operating results before opening the second at a reduced franchise fee.
A resale buyer. A buyer acquires an existing store, and the lender underwrites its historical sales while the seller carries a small subordinate note.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Underestimating how long leasing takes within the nine-month opening window
- Signing a lease before the franchisor’s real estate team approves the site
- Using conventional food cost assumptions for an organic menu
- Ignoring the shorter 5-year term on a non-traditional storefront
- Leaving too little working capital for perishables and payroll during the ramp-up
- Committing to a development schedule without financing each store
For more pitfalls, read the restaurant loan mistakes that cost owners the most.
Next Steps to Finance Your Clean Juice Franchise
Step 1: Confirm you meet the requirements. Make sure you have $125,000 in liquidity and a $250,000 net worth.
Step 2: Start the franchisor’s process. Submit an inquiry, complete the call and application.
Step 3: Review the FDD with advisors. Study Items 5, 6, 7, 17 and 19 with a franchise attorney and accountant.
Step 4: Talk with a financing specialist. Line up your financing plan before leadership approval and proof of funding.
Step 5: Find and approve a site. Work with the franchisor’s real estate team and gather build-out bids and equipment quotes.
Step 6: Apply for financing. Submit your business plan, projections, personal financial statements, tax returns and franchise documents.
Step 7: Close, build and open. Coordinate construction, training and opening marketing within the nine-month window.
Clean Juice Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does it cost to open a Clean Juice?
The franchisor’s site, updated in 2026, estimates $395,000 to $410,000 for a single store, including $35,000 paid to the franchisor. Confirm the current range in Item 7 of the FDD.
What is the Clean Juice franchise fee?
$30,000 for a traditional storefront and $15,000 for a non-traditional storefront, according to the franchising website.
What royalty does Clean Juice charge?
6% of gross sales, paid monthly, plus a marketing contribution of 3% for traditional storefronts or 1% for non-traditional storefronts.
How much liquid capital and net worth do I need?
The franchisor lists a $125,000 liquidity requirement and a $250,000 net worth requirement.
Is Clean Juice eligible for SBA loans?
Yes. Clean Juice is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory under code S0388. Each borrower must still qualify.
Is there a discount for veterans?
Yes. The franchisor reduces the initial franchise fee for a veteran’s first store by 50%.
Can I finance equipment separately?
Yes. Juicers, blenders, refrigeration and display coolers can often be financed separately, subject to approval.
How long is the franchise term?
10 years for a traditional storefront and 5 years for a non-traditional storefront, according to the franchising website. Check Item 17 of the FDD for renewal and transfer terms.
Can I open multiple Clean Juice stores?
Yes. Development agreements require at least two stores, with a 50% reduced franchise fee on each store after the first.
Can a first-time owner get a Clean Juice franchise loan?
Yes, if the franchisor approves the candidate and the borrower meets lender requirements. Hands-on involvement and relevant management experience strengthen the request.
Does Clean Juice offer financing?
Item 10 of the FDD discloses any financing the franchisor offers.
How quickly must the store open?
Within nine months of signing a franchise agreement, according to the franchisor.
Final Thoughts
A Clean Juice franchise loan finances a compact, specialized store with published requirements and clear fees. Owners who budget for organic inventory, plan around the nine-month opening window and match the loan to the store format give themselves a strong start.
US Professional Funding helps franchise owners and buyers finance start-ups, acquisitions, equipment, working capital and refinancing. Learn more about our franchise financing and restaurant financing solutions.
