How to Finance an Eight Turn Crepe Franchise: Crepe Shop Costs
By Chris Cornella
An Eight Turn Crepe franchise loan usually pays for a small, fast-casual café built around Japanese-style crêpes: a leased storefront, a compact kitchen with specialized griddles, refrigerated toppings displays and the cash needed to get through opening. Because the shops are small, financing hinges on the build-out budget, the lease and how quickly a new location builds traffic.
Below we cover costs to verify, the brand’s SBA listing and how lenders view a crêpe shop.
US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Eight Turn Crepe; 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 approval. Nothing here is legal, tax or investment advice.
Eight Turn Crepe Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Concept: a fast-casual café serving sweet and savory Japanese-style crêpes, typically handed over wrapped for eating on the go.
- Typical site: a small inline or end-cap storefront in a shopping center, dining district or busy pedestrian area.
- Fees and investment: the initial franchise fee, royalty, marketing contribution and estimated initial investment are set out in Items 5, 6 and 7 of the current disclosure document; ask the franchisor for the current version.
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed under code S8969, with a note about the Rider to Lease Agreement when real estate secures the loan.
- Financing tools: SBA 7(a), conventional, equipment and working capital loans.
What Is Eight Turn Crepe?
Eight Turn Crepe is a fast-casual crêpe concept built on the Japanese street-food style of crêpe: a thin, slightly crisp batter cooked on a round griddle, filled to order and folded into a hand-held cone. The menu runs from dessert crêpes with fruit, creams, ice cream and sauces to savory crêpes with proteins, cheeses and vegetables, which lets a shop sell through lunch, the afternoon and the evening rather than only as a dessert stop.
The brand has opened franchised shops in several states, and it is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory, which confirms that its franchise agreement has been reviewed for SBA lending.
Why lenders see it as a small-box café. Lenders usually group a crêpe shop with dessert cafés: a short equipment list and a modest footprint. That keeps the project smaller, but location, foot traffic and repeat visits carry a lot of weight in underwriting.
Eight Turn Crepe Franchise Costs
The franchise disclosure document (FDD) is the only reliable source for current costs. Item 5 shows the initial franchise fee, Item 6 lists ongoing fees and Item 7 lays out the estimated initial investment line by line. Because we could not verify current figures, this section explains what each category covers and how it is usually financed.
Initial franchise fee. The fee buys the license, initial training and opening support. Lenders generally treat it as an intangible cost, so it is usually financed as part of an SBA 7(a) loan or paid from the buyer’s own funds rather than secured by equipment.
Real estate and build-out. Most shops lease. Build-out covers plumbing, electrical upgrades for griddles and refrigeration, counters, lighting and the brand’s design package; a former food space can lower this line.
Equipment and fixtures. Expect crêpe griddles, refrigerated prep tables, display cases for toppings and fruit, ice cream and freezer storage, beverage equipment if the menu includes drinks, a point-of-sale system, smallwares and signage.
Opening costs and working capital. Opening inventory, marketing, training travel, deposits, insurance and an operating reserve are part of the initial investment.
Total investment. Item 7 of the current FDD gives the low and high range. The typical categories to review are:
- Initial franchise fee
- Lease deposits and leasehold improvements
- Kitchen equipment, display cases, furniture and signage
- Point-of-sale system and technology
- Opening inventory, training and grand opening marketing
- Insurance, licenses and permits
- Additional funds for the initial operating period
Compare contractor bids with the Item 7 ranges before sizing the loan.
Ongoing Fees and Your Eight Turn Crepe Franchise Loan
Royalty. Most food franchises charge a royalty as a percentage of gross sales. Item 6 of the FDD states the Eight Turn Crepe rate and how it is collected.
Marketing contributions. Look for a brand or advertising fund fee and any required local marketing spend. Both come off the top of sales.
Technology and other fees. Point-of-sale, online ordering and delivery commissions can add up for a small shop.
How lenders factor these costs in. Lenders deduct royalty, marketing and occupancy costs from projected sales before testing whether the shop can cover its loan payments. For a small café, a few percentage points of fees can decide whether the debt service coverage works, so build every Item 6 fee into the projections.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
Eight Turn Crepe’s minimum net worth and liquid capital requirements were not available for us to verify. Many food franchisors set both, and lenders will separately expect a cash injection and reserves after closing. Ask the franchisor for its current financial qualifications and whether it expects owner-operators or allows semi-absentee owners with a trained manager.
The approval process. Expect an inquiry, a financial application, FDD review, discovery calls and franchisor approval before site selection and lease signing. Get pre-qualified for financing during this period so a good site is not lost waiting on a lender.
Ways to Own an Eight Turn Crepe
A new shop. A start-up location is financed on projections, the buyer’s experience and the build-out budget. Lenders will want the signed or proposed lease, contractor bids and an equipment quote. Our page on franchise start-up loans explains how new-unit deals are structured.
Buying an existing shop. A resale lets a lender underwrite real sales and expenses. The buyer typically pays for equipment, leasehold improvements, inventory and goodwill, and needs franchisor approval of the transfer and a lease assignment from the landlord. Read our article on buying a franchise resale for the steps.
Converting an existing café. If the franchisor allows conversions, financing usually covers rebranding, new equipment and training rather than a full build-out.
Financing Options for an Eight Turn Crepe Franchise
SBA 7(a) loans. Because the brand is on the SBA Franchise Directory, an SBA 7(a) loan is often the first option buyers explore. A single 7(a) loan can combine the franchise fee, build-out, equipment, opening inventory and working capital.
SBA 504 loans. The SBA 504 program finances owner-occupied real estate and long-lived equipment. Most crêpe shops lease small spaces, so 504 fits mainly when an owner is buying a building or a condo unit for the shop.
Conventional term loans. Owners with strong credit or existing cash flow may qualify for a conventional business loan, especially for a second shop or a resale with solid history.
Equipment financing. Crêpe griddles, refrigerated toppings cases, freezers, blenders and POS hardware can be financed separately, preserving cash for build-out. See our restaurant equipment financing options.
Working capital and lines of credit. Dessert-heavy sales can swing with weather and holidays, and a line of credit can cover payroll and food costs in slower weeks. Learn about restaurant working capital.
Seller financing on resales. A seller may agree to carry part of the price on an existing shop. A seller note is typically subordinate to the senior loan, and SBA rules may limit its terms.
SBA Loans for Eight Turn Crepe Franchisees
SBA lenders check the SBA Franchise Directory before lending to a franchisee. A listing clears the franchise relationship for SBA review; it does not approve any borrower.
Directory listing. Eight Turn Crepe appears on the SBA Franchise Directory under code S8969. The listing carries a note: when the real estate where the franchise business is located will secure the SBA-guaranteed loan, the Rider to Lease Agreement may not be executed.
What that note means in plain English. Many franchisors use a lease rider that gives them rights over the franchisee’s lease, such as the right to take over the space if the franchise ends. That works when the shop rents from a landlord. If instead the owner (or an affiliated company) owns the property and pledges it as collateral for the SBA loan, that rider cannot be signed, because it could interfere with the lender’s rights in the real estate. For the typical leased shop, the note does not change the deal.
Loan size. The SBA 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million, though rules can change; a single crêpe shop typically needs far less.
SBA application tips. Bring the FDD, a personal financial statement, tax returns, monthly projections, your lease or letter of intent and contractor and equipment quotes. Our article on writing a franchise business plan for an SBA loan walks through what to include. The SBA loan calculator can help with early payment estimates, which are for planning only.
How Lenders Evaluate an Eight Turn Crepe Deal
Lenders reviewing an Eight Turn Crepe franchise loan look at the borrower, the site and the brand together.
Personal credit and financial history. Expect a review of credit, tax returns and existing debts, plus personal guarantees.
Net worth and liquidity. Lenders look at your cash injection and the reserves left after opening; a construction delay can strain a small café.
Industry and management experience. Food service, retail or hospitality management helps; newcomers should show how training and a hired manager fill the gaps.
Business plan and projections. Projections should reflect the site’s foot traffic, the daypart mix between dessert and savory sales, average ticket, delivery commissions, labor schedules and a realistic ramp-up period.
The FDD and franchise agreement. Lenders review the term, renewal, transfer rules and territory, and Item 19 shows whether financial performance representations are provided. Our article on how lenders read an FDD covers the key items.
Site and lease. The lease term, with renewals, should generally cover the loan term.
Historical financials for resales. Provide several years of profit and loss statements and tax returns for an existing shop.
Equipment and Build-Out for a Crêpe Shop
The crêpe griddle line is the heart of the shop. Round griddles must hold consistent heat for thin batter, and the number of griddles sets how many orders the kitchen can turn during a rush. Around them sit refrigerated prep rails for fruit, creams and savory fillings, freezer space for ice cream, a display case that shows off toppings and finished crêpes, and beverage equipment if the menu includes coffee, tea or smoothies.
Electrical capacity, ventilation required under local code and the health department’s sink requirements can all change the build-out budget, so align your contractor and the franchisor’s design team before the loan amount is final.
Multi-Unit Growth and Development Agreements
Owners who want several shops may sign a development agreement with an opening schedule. Lenders usually finance each shop as it opens and want the first one performing before approving the next. With operating history, combined cash flow can also make conventional financing an option. Match the schedule to realistic financing timelines, since missed deadlines can carry penalties. Our article on multi-unit franchise financing explains how growth is usually funded.
Real-World Scenarios
A first-time owner opening in a shopping center. A former retail manager leases an inline space near a cinema and uses an SBA 7(a) loan for the fee, build-out, griddles and inventory, keeping a reserve for the first months.
A couple buying an existing shop. The lender underwrites the shop’s actual sales, the seller carries a small subordinate note and the landlord assigns the lease.
A coffee shop owner converting. With franchisor approval, an independent café owner rebrands and uses equipment financing for the griddles and display cases.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Signing a lease before financing is pre-qualified and the franchisor approves the site
- Underestimating build-out costs for electrical, plumbing and health department requirements
- Ignoring delivery commissions and marketing fees in projections
- Leaving too little working capital for seasonal dessert sales swings
- Choosing a site with strong traffic but no parking or evening activity
- Assuming the franchisor’s lease rider applies when you own the real estate
For more pitfalls, read about restaurant loan mistakes owners should avoid.
Next Steps to Finance Your Eight Turn Crepe 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 financial requirements. Ask for current net worth and liquidity expectations and whether owner-operation is required.
Step 3: Talk with a financing specialist. Get pre-qualified so you know your budget before you negotiate a lease.
Step 4: Find and evaluate a site. Work with the franchisor on site approval and get contractor bids for the build-out.
Step 5: Build your business plan. Prepare monthly projections that include every Item 6 fee, delivery costs, labor and a ramp-up period.
Step 6: Apply and close. Submit your loan package, coordinate the lease, franchise agreement and loan closing, and schedule construction.
Eight Turn Crepe Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does it cost to open an Eight Turn Crepe?
The estimated initial investment range is listed in Item 7 of the current FDD. Costs depend mainly on the space, local construction costs and equipment.
What is the Eight Turn Crepe franchise fee?
Item 5 of the FDD states the initial franchise fee and whether any discounts apply for additional shops. Confirm the current amount with the franchisor.
What royalty does Eight Turn Crepe charge?
Item 6 of the FDD lists the royalty and other ongoing fees, such as marketing contributions and technology fees.
Is Eight Turn Crepe on the SBA Franchise Directory?
Yes, under code S8969, with the lease rider note explained above.
Can I get an SBA loan for an Eight Turn Crepe franchise?
The listing makes the brand eligible for SBA review, but approval depends on your credit, experience, cash injection and projections.
Can I buy an existing Eight Turn Crepe?
Yes, if a franchisee is selling and the franchisor approves the transfer.
Can a first-time business owner get an Eight Turn Crepe franchise loan?
Yes, particularly with management experience, good credit and a meaningful cash injection.
Does Eight Turn Crepe offer financing?
Item 10 of the FDD discloses whether the franchisor offers direct or indirect financing. Most franchisees arrange financing with outside lenders.
How long is the franchise term?
Item 17 of the FDD lists the initial term, renewal conditions and transfer rules.
Final Thoughts
An Eight Turn Crepe shop is a compact, equipment-light café, which keeps the project manageable but puts the spotlight on site selection, build-out control and working capital. With the brand’s SBA Franchise Directory listing, a well-prepared buyer seeking an Eight Turn Crepe franchise loan can often consider SBA 7(a) financing alongside equipment loans and lines of credit.
US Professional Funding helps franchise owners and buyers finance start-ups, acquisitions, equipment and working capital. Learn more about our franchise financing and restaurant financing solutions.
