How to Finance a Deck the Walls Franchise: Art and Framing Costs
By Marc Cornella
A Deck the Walls franchise loan pays for two businesses under one roof: a retail gallery that sells art prints, reproductions and limited editions, and a custom framing workshop that turns customers’ photos, diplomas, jerseys and artwork into finished pieces. Lenders look at both sides, because wall art inventory behaves like retail stock while framing behaves like a skilled service with its own equipment and margins.
US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Deck the Walls; the name is used only to describe the business. Figures in the franchisor’s disclosure document can change, loan programs vary, and every loan is subject to approval. Nothing in this article is legal, tax or investment advice, so review the current Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and franchise agreement with a franchise attorney and an accountant before you sign.
Deck the Walls Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Concept: an art and custom framing retail store selling prints, reproductions, limited editions and framing services.
- Typical location: traditionally shopping malls and shopping centers.
- Initial franchise fee, royalty, ad fund and total investment: we could not confirm current figures from the franchisor’s own materials, so read Items 5, 6 and 7 of the current FDD.
- Biggest cost drivers: store build-out, framing shop equipment, moulding and matboard inventory, and art inventory.
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed under code S0489, with no additional notes.
What Is Deck the Walls?
Deck the Walls is a long-established art and framing franchise. Its stores combine a gallery-style sales floor of ready-to-hang art with a design counter where customers choose mouldings, mats and glass, and a back-room workshop where framers cut, join and assemble each order.
That mix gives the business two revenue streams. Art sales depend on foot traffic and seasonal gift buying, especially around the holidays. Custom framing depends on design skill and repeat customers, and it often carries the higher margin.
How lenders see it. Lenders treat a framing store as specialty retail with a service component. They focus on lease terms in malls and centers, the value and turnover of inventory, the owner’s retail or design experience and the strength of the framing side, which is less dependent on impulse traffic.
Deck the Walls Franchise Costs
Current figures could not be verified from the franchisor’s own materials, so use this section as a checklist for reading Item 7.
Initial franchise fee. Item 5 discloses the fee and any discounts or development fees. Ask what training and opening support it includes.
Real estate and build-out. Stores usually lease retail space. Build-out covers gallery wall systems, lighting designed to show art, a design counter, a workshop with adequate electrical service and storage for moulding lengths.
Framing equipment. Expect a mat cutter, a moulding chop saw or chopper, an underpinner for joining corners, a glass cutting station, dry-mount and heat press equipment, worktables and framing hand tools.
Opening inventory and working capital. Inventory includes moulding samples and stock, matboard, glass and acrylic, backing and hardware, plus wall art for the sales floor. Item 7 also lists additional funds for an initial period.
Total investment. Item 7 totals the range. Check these line items:
- Initial franchise fee
- Lease deposits and initial rent
- Leasehold improvements and gallery fixtures
- Framing workshop equipment
- Opening art inventory
- Moulding, matboard and glass inventory
- Signage
- Point-of-sale and design software
- Training travel and expenses
- Grand opening marketing
- Licenses, permits and insurance
- Additional funds for the stated initial period
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Loan
Item 6 lists the royalty, any advertising fund contribution, technology fees, transfer and renewal fees, and any remodel or refresh requirements. Royalties are commonly a percentage of gross sales, so lenders deduct them before calculating cash available for loan payments.
Mall rent often includes common area maintenance charges and sometimes percentage rent. Lenders add these occupancy costs to the royalty to judge whether your sales can comfortably carry the debt. Test payments with the SBA loan calculator using your slow months, not your holiday peak.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
We could not verify published net worth, liquid capital or experience minimums from the franchisor’s own materials. Expect the franchisor to look at your finances, retail management or design background and willingness to learn framing.
The process typically includes an application, discovery meetings, receipt of the FDD with a waiting period before signing, site selection and lease approval, framing and retail training, and opening.
Ways to Own a Deck the Walls
A new store. Opening a new location means financing the fee, build-out, equipment and inventory. See our page on retail start-up financing.
Buying an existing store. A resale offers sales history, an established framing customer base and trained framers. Lenders review tax returns, sales by category and inventory values. Learn about retail business acquisition financing and buying a franchise resale.
Relocation or additional stores. An owner may move to a stronger center or add a store if the franchisor allows it. Expansion financing leans on the existing store’s track record.
Financing Options for a Deck the Walls Franchise
SBA 7(a) loans. A 7(a) loan can fund the franchise fee, build-out, equipment, inventory and working capital together. See SBA 7(a) loans.
SBA 504 loans. Most stores lease, but an owner who buys a freestanding building or retail condo can use SBA 504 loans for the property.
Conventional term loans. Owners with strong credit and collateral may qualify for conventional business loans.
Equipment financing. Mat cutters, choppers, underpinners and dry-mount presses can be financed separately. See retail equipment financing and leasing.
Working capital and lines of credit. Holiday inventory builds and framing supply orders create seasonal cash needs. A line of credit helps. Learn more about retail working capital and lines of credit.
Seller financing on resales. A seller may carry part of the price. Seller notes are typically subordinate to the senior loan, and SBA rules limit their structure.
SBA Loans for Deck the Walls Franchisees
The SBA guarantees part of loans made by participating lenders. For franchises, the SBA checks that the franchise agreement leaves the owner enough control, and the SBA Franchise Directory records brands that have passed that review.
Deck the Walls is listed under code S0489 with no additional notes. That simplifies the eligibility review, though every loan still depends on the borrower and the deal.
The SBA 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million; program rules can change. Application tips:
- Provide the FDD, franchise agreement and lease or letter of intent early.
- Document your equity injection.
- Separate art sales and framing revenue in your projections.
- Show how you will manage inventory and seasonality.
How Lenders Evaluate a Deck the Walls Deal
Personal credit and financial history. Lenders review your credit history and any past problems.
Net worth and liquidity. You need cash for the equity injection plus reserves for slow seasons.
Industry and management experience. Retail management, art, interior design or framing experience strengthens your application.
Business plan and projections. Model art and framing separately, with average framing order assumptions, holiday seasonality and staffing for skilled framers.
The FDD and franchise agreement. Lenders review Items 5, 6, 7, 17 and 21. Our article on the FDD and franchise financing explains why.
Site and lease. Lenders evaluate mall or center traffic, co-tenancy, rent and lease term.
For resales, historical financials. Expect to provide tax returns, sales reports and an inventory count.
Framing Workshop and Inventory
The framing workshop is the brand’s service engine. Equipment like mat cutters and underpinners is durable and can serve as collateral, while moulding and matboard inventory turns steadily. Art inventory is different: it is seasonal and style-driven, so lenders discount it more heavily as collateral. Careful buying keeps cash from getting tied up in slow-moving pieces.
Seasonality and Cash Flow Planning
Gift buying lifts art sales late in the year, while framing demand follows its own calendar: graduations, weddings, sports seasons and holiday gifts all bring in framing orders. Many framing orders are also paid partly at drop-off and partly at pickup, which smooths cash compared with pure retail.
Lenders like to see a month-by-month cash flow forecast that shows when inventory is purchased, when it sells and how the framing backlog supports the slower months. A modest line of credit sized to the holiday inventory build, and repaid from holiday sales, is easier to approve than an open-ended request.
Multi-Unit Growth and Development Agreements
Owners who want multiple stores may sign a development agreement if offered. Each new Deck the Walls franchise loan is usually underwritten after the first store proves stable, and a shared framing workshop can sometimes serve more than one location. Confirm whether the franchise agreement allows it.
Real-World Scenarios
The designer turned owner. An interior designer uses an SBA 7(a) loan for a new store, with her design experience supporting the framing projections.
The resale buyer. A buyer purchases an existing store with a loyal framing clientele, and the seller carries a small subordinate note.
The holiday build. An owner draws on a line of credit to stock gift art before the holidays.
The equipment upgrade. An established owner finances a new computerized mat cutter separately.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overbuying art inventory before learning local tastes.
- Ignoring common area charges in mall rent.
- Underestimating time to train skilled framers.
- Blending art and framing into one revenue line.
- Leaving no working capital for slow months.
Our list of retail store loan mistakes covers more pitfalls.
Next Steps to Finance Your Deck the Walls Franchise
Step 1: Read the current FDD. Focus on Items 5, 6, 7, 10, 17 and 19, and note whether Item 19 includes financial performance representations.
Step 2: Talk to existing owners. Ask about framing demand and seasonality.
Step 3: Organize your finances. Prepare tax returns and a personal financial statement.
Step 4: Secure a site. Get franchisor approval and a letter of intent.
Step 5: Build projections. Model art and framing separately.
Step 6: Choose a loan structure. Compare SBA 7(a), conventional and equipment financing.
Step 7: Close and open. Keep reserves for slow months.
Deck the Walls Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does a Deck the Walls franchise cost?
Item 7 of the current FDD gives the total investment range. Major costs include build-out, framing equipment and inventory.
What is the Deck the Walls franchise fee?
Item 5 of the FDD discloses it.
What royalty does Deck the Walls charge?
Item 6 lists the royalty and advertising fund contributions.
Is Deck the Walls on the SBA Franchise Directory?
Yes, under code S0489 with no additional notes.
Can I get an SBA loan for a Deck the Walls franchise?
Eligible borrowers can apply for an SBA 7(a) Deck the Walls franchise loan.
Can I finance framing equipment separately?
Yes, equipment financing is often available for framing equipment such as mat cutters, choppers, underpinners and dry-mount presses, with the equipment itself serving as collateral. That can preserve cash for inventory and working capital.
Do I need framing experience?
We could not confirm a franchisor requirement; training typically covers framing, and lenders value retail or design experience.
Can I buy an existing Deck the Walls store?
Yes, with franchisor approval. Lenders will review its financials.
Does the franchisor offer financing?
Check Item 10 of the FDD, which discloses any financing the franchisor or its affiliates offer. If none is listed, plan on outside financing.
How long is the franchise term?
Item 17 lists the term, renewal and transfer conditions.
What documents will a lender want?
Expect to provide personal and business tax returns, a personal financial statement, a resume, the FDD and franchise agreement, a lease or letter of intent, contractor and equipment quotes, and a business plan with projections.
Final Thoughts
A Deck the Walls franchise loan finances a blend of retail and craft. The strongest applications separate art and framing revenue, plan for seasonal inventory and secure a lease that the sales can support.
US Professional Funding helps franchise owners secure SBA, conventional and equipment financing. Explore our franchise financing programs and our retail business financing to see how we can help.
