How to Finance a DryJect Franchise: Machines, Trucks and Turf
By Anthony Cornella
A DryJect franchise loan funds a specialized turf service business: the franchise and territory fee, DryJect injection machines, the trucks and trailers that move them between golf courses and athletic fields, materials handling gear and the working capital to carry a seasonal business. Few franchises are this equipment-driven, so the way you finance the machinery matters as much as the loan for the franchise itself.
This article explains how the DryJect model works, which costs to confirm in the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), how SBA, conventional and equipment loans fit together and how lenders look at a seasonal, business-to-business service franchise. US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by DryJect; the name is used only to describe the business. Figures from the franchisor’s disclosure document can change, loan programs vary and every loan is subject to approval. Nothing here is legal, tax or investment advice.
DryJect Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Concept: aerification, injection and soil amendment services for golf courses, athletic fields and other turf, using the patented DryJect machine
- Franchisor: DryJect Management, LLC, which manages and services the franchise network; the company manufactures the machine and is headquartered in Hatboro, Pennsylvania
- Territories: franchisees hold a designated market position in their region, and some regions span several states
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed under code S2178 with no additional directory note
- Initial fee, royalty and total investment: confirm in Items 5, 6 and 7 of the current FDD
- Typical financing: SBA 7(a) loans, equipment and vehicle financing, conventional loans and seasonal working capital lines
What Is DryJect?
DryJect is a turf aeration process built around a proprietary machine that the company designs and manufactures in Hatboro, Pennsylvania. The machine injects sand or soil amendments into the root zone as it aerates, which the company describes as a one-step process. Because there is no need to fill holes with sand afterward and the surface is ready for play almost immediately, golf courses and sports facilities lose little or no revenue to closures compared with traditional core aeration.
DryJect sells this service through local franchise owners, while DryJect Management, LLC manages and supports the network. The franchisor provides start-up and ongoing training on operating and maintaining the machine, a detailed operations manual, technical support for the equipment and help with marketing, sales strategy and customer relations. The company states that most of its franchisees have worked in the turf industry, and the brand also has partners in several countries outside the United States.
How lenders view it. A DryJect territory is a business-to-business service company with a narrow, professional customer base: golf course superintendents, sports field managers and facility operators. Lenders like the hard collateral in the machines and vehicles, but they will look closely at seasonality, customer relationships and whether the owner has the turf credibility to win contracts.
DryJect Franchise Costs
DryJect states that franchise offers are made only through its FDD, so the current disclosure document is the source for every cost figure. Organize your budget around these categories.
Initial franchise fee and territory. Item 5 discloses the initial fee and how the territory is defined. Because DryJect territories can be large and regional, confirm exactly which counties or states you receive and whether the fee scales with territory size.
DryJect machines. The injection units are the core asset. Item 8 will show whether machines must be purchased from the franchisor or an affiliate, how many you need at opening and what spare parts and wear items you must stock.
Trucks, trailers and support equipment. Crews travel between facilities with machines on trailers, plus equipment to load and handle sand and amendments. Expect tow vehicles, trailers and material handling gear.
Materials and launch costs. Opening sand and amendment inventory, insurance, licenses, training travel and initial marketing to superintendents and facility managers all belong in the start-up budget.
Total investment. Item 7 combines these items into a low-to-high range. Review it line by line:
- Initial franchise and territory fee
- DryJect machines and spare parts
- Tow vehicles and trailers
- Material loading and handling equipment
- Opening sand and amendment inventory
- Insurance, licenses and professional fees
- Training travel and living expenses
- Office equipment and software
- Initial marketing and trade show costs
- Additional funds for the initial operating period
Your DryJect franchise loan request should reflect the full Item 7 range, not just the fee and the machine.
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Loan
Item 6 lists recurring payments, which may include royalties, marketing contributions, technology fees, required training and transfer or renewal fees. Some equipment-based franchises charge fees tied to machine usage rather than revenue alone, so read exactly how each fee is calculated.
Lenders deduct every recurring fee, along with machine maintenance, fuel, crew wages and materials, before measuring how much cash flow is available for debt payments. For a seasonal business, they will look at the annual picture and at whether peak-season cash can carry the slow months.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
Ask DryJect during discovery for its current net worth and liquid capital expectations, whether turf or golf course management experience is required and how many machines it expects you to operate at opening. Its own materials note that most franchisees come from the turf industry, which lenders also view favorably.
Expect a process that includes an application, FDD delivery, conversations with existing franchisees, discovery with the franchisor’s team and franchisor approval before signing.
Ways to Own a DryJect
A new territory. You start with no customers, so financing covers equipment, start-up costs and working capital to build a client list. Our page on franchise start-up financing explains how these loans are structured.
Buying an existing territory. A resale includes customer relationships, machines and service history. Lenders can underwrite the existing cash flow and appraise the equipment. Read about buying an existing franchise before making an offer.
Adding machines or territory. Established owners grow by adding machines and crews or by taking on adjacent regions. Each step is usually financed separately against the new equipment.
Financing Options for a DryJect Franchise
SBA 7(a) loans. The SBA 7(a) loan program can combine the franchise fee, machines, vehicles, initial inventory and working capital into one loan with a long repayment term, which suits a business with uneven seasonal revenue.
SBA 504 loans. The 504 program finances real estate and long-lived fixed assets. It rarely fits a new territory but may matter later if an owner buys a shop or storage yard for machines and materials.
Conventional term loans. Turf professionals with strong credit and liquidity may qualify for conventional business loans, especially for adding machines to a proven operation.
Equipment financing. DryJect machines, trucks, trailers and loaders are well suited to franchise equipment financing and leasing, with the equipment itself as collateral. Ask about payment structures that line up with your busy seasons.
Working capital and lines of credit. Aeration work clusters in the spring and fall in many regions, and golf facilities may pay on invoice terms. A line of credit bridges payroll, fuel and materials between peak months and covers receivables. See our page on franchise working capital.
Seller financing on resales. A retiring owner may carry part of the price as a note. Seller notes are typically subordinate to the main loan, and SBA rules may restrict their terms, so involve your lender early.
SBA Loans for DryJect Franchisees
SBA loans are made by approved lenders, with the SBA backing a portion of each loan. The SBA Franchise Directory lists brands whose franchise agreements have been reviewed for eligibility. DryJect appears on the SBA Franchise Directory under code S2178, and the listing carries no additional note, so no special addendum or document requirement is flagged for this brand beyond the standard review.
Being listed means the franchise relationship is eligible. It does not approve your loan, which still depends on your credit, equity injection, collateral and projected cash flow. The SBA 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million (program rules can change).
SBA application tips. Include equipment quotes or invoices for each machine and vehicle, a seasonal month-by-month projection, letters of interest from facilities if you have them and a resume that highlights turf experience. Our SBA loan calculator can help you test payments against your slow months.
How Lenders Evaluate a DryJect Deal
Personal credit and financial history. Lenders review credit reports and payment history and want to see responsible use of debt.
Net worth and liquidity. You need cash for the equity injection and reserves to cover personal expenses through the first off-season.
Industry experience. Superintendent, sports turf or landscape management experience is a major strength, since contracts come from relationships with turf professionals.
Business plan and projections. Lenders want realistic assumptions for facilities served per season, machine capacity per day, travel time across a regional territory, materials costs and weather risk. Our article on building a franchise business plan for an SBA loan explains the format.
The FDD and franchise agreement. Lenders review Item 8 equipment purchase obligations, Item 17 term, renewal and transfer conditions, Item 10 for any franchisor financing and whether Item 19 includes financial performance representations.
Storage and facilities. If you rent a shop or yard for machines and materials, lenders will review the lease.
Historical financials on resales. For an existing territory, expect to provide tax returns, customer lists, service records and an equipment list with condition and age.
Equipment: The Heart of a DryJect Business
In most service franchises, labor is the main cost. In a DryJect territory, the machines are the business. Their condition, maintenance and replacement schedule drive both your capacity and your collateral value. Plan for wear parts, routine service and eventual replacement, and keep maintenance records that a future lender or buyer can review.
Because the machines are proprietary, ask how resale or redeployment works if you leave the system. Lenders value equipment more highly when there is a clear secondary market, such as a sale to another franchisee.
Multi-Unit Growth and Development Agreements
Growth usually means adding machines and crews to serve more facilities in the same season. Lenders will want to see that existing machines are well utilized before financing more. If you expand into a neighboring region, review any development obligations and confirm your financing matches the schedule. Our article on multi-unit franchise financing explains how lenders approach expansion.
Real-World Scenarios
The former superintendent. A longtime golf course superintendent buys a territory with an SBA 7(a) loan. Deep industry relationships and a list of interested facilities give the lender confidence in early revenue.
The landscape contractor. A commercial landscaping company adds a DryJect territory. The machines are financed separately, and existing business cash flow supports the application.
The resale buyer. A buyer purchases a territory from a retiring owner, financing the price with an SBA loan and a small subordinated seller note.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Underestimating the off-season and borrowing too little working capital
- Ignoring travel time and costs across a large regional territory
- Skipping a maintenance and replacement budget for machines
- Projecting full machine utilization in the first season
- Overlooking how Item 6 fees are calculated
- Using outdated cost estimates instead of the current FDD
Read our article on service contractor loan mistakes for more.
Next Steps to Finance Your DryJect Franchise
Step 1: Request the FDD. Note the Item 5, 6, 7 and 8 details.
Step 2: Assess your budget. Our article on how much franchise you can afford helps you set a realistic ceiling.
Step 3: Talk to franchisees. Ask about seasonality, machine capacity, travel and customer payment terms.
Step 4: Gather equipment quotes. Get pricing for machines, vehicles and trailers.
Step 5: Build projections. Model revenue and costs month by month. Our article on using the FDD for financing shows which items lenders read.
Step 6: Choose a loan structure and apply. Combine SBA, equipment and working capital financing as needed, then submit a complete package.
DryJect Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does a DryJect franchise cost?
The total investment range is disclosed in Item 7 of the current FDD and includes the fee, machines, vehicles, materials and working capital.
What is the DryJect franchise fee?
Item 5 of the FDD discloses the initial fee and how the territory is defined.
What ongoing fees does DryJect charge?
Royalties and other recurring fees are disclosed in Item 6. Read how each fee is calculated.
Do I need turf industry experience?
DryJect says most of its franchisees have worked in the turf industry. Ask the franchisor whether experience is required.
Is DryJect eligible for SBA loans?
Yes. It is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory under code S2178 with no special note. Your loan still requires approval.
Can I finance DryJect machines separately?
Yes. Machines, trucks and trailers can often be financed with the equipment as collateral.
Who are DryJect’s customers?
Golf courses and athletic fields are the core market, and the company’s site also offers service requests for other turf.
Can I buy an existing DryJect territory?
Yes, when available. Lenders base the loan on historical cash flow and equipment value, and the franchisor must approve the transfer.
Does DryJect offer financing?
Check Item 10 of the FDD for any franchisor financing.
What documents do I need for a DryJect franchise loan?
Tax returns, a personal financial statement, a resume, the FDD, equipment quotes and a seasonal business plan.
Final Thoughts
DryJect pairs a proprietary machine with a professional customer base, which gives lenders hard collateral and a clear market but also seasonal cash flow to plan around. A well-built DryJect franchise loan matches the equipment to equipment financing, covers the fee and start-up costs and leaves enough working capital to carry you through the off-season.
US Professional Funding helps franchise owners structure SBA, conventional, equipment and working capital financing. Learn more about our franchise business loans and our financing for service contractors.
