How to Finance a D-BAT Franchise: Facility, Cages and SBA Loans
By Anthony Cornella
A D-BAT franchise loan finances a large indoor baseball and softball training facility: an open-span building fitted with batting cages and pitching machines, a pro shop, lesson space and the systems to keep it climate-controlled year-round. Compared with a typical boutique fitness studio, a D-BAT needs more square footage, more ceiling height and more specialized equipment, so the real estate decision drives much of the financing.
This article explains what the brand’s own materials say about D-BAT, how the business earns revenue, what the investment typically includes, what the brand’s SBA Franchise Directory listing means and how lenders underwrite new facilities, resales and real estate purchases.
US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by D-BAT; the name is used only to describe the business. Figures from the franchisor’s disclosure document 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, so review the current Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and franchise agreement with a qualified franchise attorney and accountant.
D-BAT Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Concept: indoor, climate-controlled baseball and softball training facilities with batting cages, private lessons, camps and a pro shop.
- Founded: 1998 by Cade and Kyle Griffis, with the first location in Addison, Texas.
- System size: the company reports more than 145 locations.
- Revenue model: month-to-month memberships, cage rentals, private lessons, camps and clinics, team rentals and pro shop sales.
- Franchise fee, royalty, marketing fund and total investment: set out in Items 5, 6 and 7 of the current FDD; confirm each there before building projections.
- Net worth and liquidity: not published in the materials reviewed for this article; ask the franchisor for current thresholds.
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed as “D-BAT” under code S0454, with no additional directory notes.
What Is D-BAT?
D-BAT was founded in 1998 by Cade and Kyle Griffis, who opened their first location in Addison, Texas. The company describes its facilities as exceptionally well-lit, indoor and climate-controlled, with a well-stocked pro shop, developmental youth camps and private lessons, and it reports more than 145 locations.
How a D-BAT location makes money. The brand’s materials describe several revenue streams under one roof:
- Memberships: month-to-month memberships that customers may cancel at any time
- Batting cages: cages that use real baseballs and softballs, available to members and for rental
- Lessons: instruction from professional instructors covering every aspect of the game
- Camps and clinics: the company says D-BAT offers more than 50 camps and clinics annually
- Team use: cage rentals that teams can book for batting practice
- Pro shop: bats, gloves and other equipment for players
Why lenders view D-BAT the way they do. Lenders see a brand with more than two decades of operating history and diversified revenue tied to youth and amateur baseball and softball. They also see a facility-heavy business with a sizable space requirement, seasonal swings tied to the playing calendar and revenue that depends on local programs, instructors and team relationships. A D-BAT franchise loan is underwritten on the site, the owner’s capital and the strength of the local baseball and softball market.
D-BAT Franchise Costs
Initial franchise fee. The initial franchise fee, and any reduced fee for additional units, appears in Item 5 of the current FDD. The franchisor’s materials reviewed for this article did not publish it, so take it from the FDD you receive.
Real estate and build-out. D-BAT facilities need large open floor plates with tall, clear ceilings for netting and ball flight, which often points owners toward former retail boxes, warehouse space or light-industrial buildings. Build-out can include netting and cage systems, turf, lighting, HVAC for a large volume of air, restrooms, a front counter and pro shop, and lesson or office space. Whether you lease or buy the building is the biggest variable in the budget.
Equipment. Pitching machines, cage netting and frames, turf, protective screens, training aids, video or swing analysis technology, retail fixtures and front-desk systems make up the equipment package.
Opening costs and working capital. Grand opening marketing, initial pro shop inventory, staff and instructor recruiting, training, deposits, insurance and funds to cover operating costs while memberships build are part of the initial investment.
Total investment. The total investment range and its line items are disclosed in Item 7 of the current FDD. An indoor training facility budget typically includes categories such as these:
- Initial franchise fee
- Lease deposits and rent before opening, or real estate acquisition
- Leasehold improvements and construction
- Batting cages, netting, pitching machines and turf
- Technology, furniture, fixtures and signage
- Opening pro shop inventory
- Grand opening marketing and training costs
- Insurance, licenses and professional fees
- Additional funds for the initial operating period
Match each Item 7 range against your own landlord terms, contractor bids and equipment quotes, and make sure the totals agree before you apply.
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Loan
Royalty and marketing contributions. D-BAT franchisees pay ongoing fees disclosed in Item 6 of the FDD, which can include a royalty, brand marketing contributions, local marketing requirements and technology fees. Read how each is calculated and when it is due.
Equipment replacement. Pitching machines, netting and turf take steady wear from daily use and need periodic replacement. Build a reserve or plan for future equipment financing.
How lenders factor these costs in. Lenders project membership, rental, lesson, camp and retail revenue, subtract rent or mortgage payments, instructor and staff payroll, utilities for a large space, franchise fees and inventory, and then test whether what remains covers debt service with a margin. Seasonality matters: lenders will want to see that the slowest months can still carry the loan.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
The materials reviewed for this article did not publish D-BAT’s minimum net worth or liquid capital requirements. Ask the franchisor for its current thresholds and review the FDD for any experience or development requirements.
What franchisors and lenders tend to look for. A connection to baseball or softball, business management experience, a plan for recruiting qualified instructors and enough capital to fund the equity injection while keeping reserves. Owners who will not run the facility day to day should show a strong general manager.
The approval process. Candidates typically inquire, review the FDD, complete the franchisor’s application and approval steps, sign the franchise agreement and then work through site selection, lease or purchase and build-out. Line up financing early so it does not delay the site timeline.
Ways to Own a D-BAT
Opening a new facility in a leased building. Leasing keeps upfront capital lower. The loan funds build-out, equipment, opening inventory and working capital. Our fitness center start-up financing page explains how we approach new locations.
Opening a new facility in a building you buy. Because D-BAT needs a large, specialized space, some owners prefer to own the building. Real estate ownership adds equity and stability but increases the capital required. Our article on whether to buy or lease a fitness facility covers the trade-offs, and our fitness facility real estate financing page explains how property purchases are funded.
Buying an existing location. A resale gives a buyer an established member base, instructors, team relationships and operating history. Lenders can underwrite actual results. See our fitness center acquisition financing options.
Financing Options for a D-BAT Franchise
SBA 7(a) loans. An SBA 7(a) loan can combine build-out, equipment, the franchise fee, working capital and, in some cases, real estate in one loan. The program maximum is currently $5 million, and program rules can change.
SBA 504 loans. If you are buying the building, the SBA 504 program is designed for owner-occupied real estate and long-lived fixed assets. It pairs a senior loan with a CDC portion and can be combined with separate financing for equipment and working capital.
Conventional term loans. Owners with strong credit and liquidity, or existing operators adding a location, may use conventional business loans for build-out, acquisitions or real estate.
Equipment financing. Pitching machines, cage systems, turf, video analysis tools and front-desk technology can be financed or leased separately. See our fitness equipment financing and leasing options.
Working capital and lines of credit. Demand for indoor training tends to rise ahead of and during the playing season and can dip in other months, while rent, payroll and utilities stay steady. A working capital line helps smooth those swings and fund pro shop inventory. Explore fitness center working capital.
Seller financing on resales. A seller may carry part of the purchase price. Seller notes are typically subordinate to the senior loan and may be limited by program rules.
SBA Loans for D-BAT Franchisees
SBA lenders rely on the SBA Franchise Directory, which lists brands whose franchise agreements have been reviewed for SBA eligibility. A listing clears the franchise relationship for review; it does not approve any borrower.
D-BAT’s directory listing. The brand is listed as “D-BAT” under code S0454, and the listing carries no additional notes. In plain English, an SBA lender can consider a D-BAT loan under the standard rules without brand-specific conditions, though the borrower still has to qualify and the project still has to fit SBA guidelines.
SBA application tips. Assemble the FDD, signed franchise agreement, lease or purchase contract, construction budget, equipment quotes, a business plan with seasonal projections and each owner’s personal financial statement. Our SBA loan calculator can help estimate payments; estimates are for planning only and are not an offer or approval. Confirm current directory status with your lender.
How Lenders Evaluate a D-BAT Deal
Personal credit and financial history. Lenders review credit, tax returns and a personal financial statement, and typically require personal guarantees from owners.
Net worth and liquidity. Lenders look for the equity injection plus reserves to cover a slow season and unexpected repairs.
Industry and management experience. Baseball or softball background, coaching relationships and business management experience all strengthen a request.
Business plan and projections. Projections should build revenue from memberships, cage rentals, lessons, camps, team rentals and retail separately, and show seasonality month by month.
The FDD and franchise agreement. Lenders review the fees, term, renewal and transfer provisions. Our article on how lenders read a Franchise Disclosure Document explains which items matter most.
Site, lease or real estate. Lenders want a lease that runs at least as long as the loan or, if buying, an appraisal, environmental review and a building suited to the use.
Historical financials for resales. Expect several years of profit and loss statements, membership and rental reports and tax returns.
The Facility: Space, Cages and Equipment
The building is the defining cost of a D-BAT. Indoor hitting and pitching need long, open bays with tall ceilings, durable flooring or turf, bright even lighting and ventilation that keeps a large space comfortable. Zoning, parking and access for youth families and teams also matter.
Because much of the build-out stays with the building, lenders treat leasehold improvements as limited collateral and lean on cash flow. Owning the real estate changes that picture by giving the lender a property to secure. Equipment such as pitching machines retains some value, which makes separate equipment financing practical.
Multi-Unit Growth and Development Agreements
Owners who succeed with one facility sometimes add another in a nearby market, sharing instructors, camps and marketing. Lenders typically finance each new location on its own merits while considering the owner’s combined cash flow and liquidity.
Financing a second facility. Wait until the first location shows stable results through at least one full season. Lenders will review both facilities’ performance and any development schedule you have signed.
Real-World Scenarios
A former player opens a leased facility. A former college player with business experience leases a vacant retail building, finances build-out, cages and working capital with an SBA 7(a) loan and keeps reserves for the off-season.
An owner buys the building. An operator with strong local team relationships buys a light-industrial building, uses an SBA 504 loan for the real estate and finances pitching machines and turf separately.
A buyer acquires an established location. A buyer purchases a D-BAT from a retiring owner. The lender reviews membership and rental history, the lease and equipment condition, and the seller carries a small subordinate note.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Choosing a building without enough clear height or open span
- Underestimating HVAC, lighting and netting costs
- Projecting steady revenue without modeling seasonality
- Signing a lease shorter than the loan term
- Starting without reserves for the slower months
- Buying a location without reviewing membership and instructor retention
For more pitfalls across the industry, read the fitness center loan mistakes that cost owners the most.
Next Steps to Finance Your D-BAT Franchise
Step 1: Review the FDD with advisors. Study Items 5, 6, 7, 17 and 20 and the franchise agreement with a franchise attorney and accountant.
Step 2: Confirm the franchisor’s requirements. Ask for current net worth and liquidity thresholds and confirm you meet them.
Step 3: Talk with a financing specialist early. Discuss your D-BAT franchise loan before committing to a site so the budget and structure align.
Step 4: Decide to lease or buy. Evaluate buildings for height, span, parking and zoning, and compare lease and purchase costs.
Step 5: Build your business plan. Model each revenue stream, staffing and seasonality.
Step 6: Apply for financing. Submit the FDD, site documents, budget, projections and personal financial documents.
Step 7: Close and open. Fund working capital, complete build-out and launch memberships and camps.
D-BAT Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does it cost to open a D-BAT?
The total investment range is disclosed in Item 7 of the current FDD. Your cost depends heavily on the building, whether you lease or buy, and the size of the facility.
What is the D-BAT franchise fee?
The initial franchise fee is set out in Item 5 of the current FDD.
What royalty does D-BAT charge?
Royalty and marketing contributions are disclosed in Item 6 of the current FDD. Review how each is calculated before building projections.
How much liquid capital or net worth do I need?
The materials reviewed did not publish a minimum. Ask the franchisor for current requirements, and expect lenders to look for an equity injection plus reserves.
Can I get an SBA loan for a D-BAT?
Yes, potentially. D-BAT is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory under code S0454 with no additional notes, so SBA lenders can consider a loan subject to normal underwriting.
Can I buy the building with an SBA loan?
Owner-occupied real estate can be financed through SBA 7(a) or 504 programs when the business occupies the property and the project meets program rules.
Can I finance pitching machines and cages separately?
Yes. Equipment financing or leasing can fund pitching machines, cage systems, turf and technology separately from the build-out.
Can I buy an existing D-BAT?
Yes. Resales require franchisor approval of the buyer, and lenders underwrite the facility’s history, lease and equipment.
Does D-BAT offer financing?
Review Item 10 of the current FDD for any franchisor financing. Most owners use SBA, conventional or equipment financing.
How long is the franchise term?
The term, renewal and transfer rules are in Item 17 of the current FDD. Lenders want the franchise term and lease to extend beyond the loan.
Does the FDD include financial performance information?
Review Item 19 of the current FDD to see what financial performance representations, if any, it includes.
Final Thoughts
A D-BAT facility combines a large, specialized space with several revenue streams tied to the baseball and softball calendar. A strong D-BAT franchise loan request starts with the right building, realistic seasonal projections, a clear lease-or-buy decision and enough working capital to carry the facility through slower months.
US Professional Funding helps franchise owners finance new facilities, acquisitions, real estate, equipment and working capital. Learn more about our franchise financing and fitness center financing solutions.
