How to Finance a FiiZ Drinks Franchise: Drive-Thru Soda Costs
By Chris Cornella
A FiiZ Drinks franchise loan usually pays for a small, fast-moving beverage shop: a drive-thru or compact storefront build-out, soda fountains, ice machines and refrigeration, light food equipment, signage, opening inventory and enough working capital to carry staff until the line of cars becomes steady. Because FiiZ looks for owners who will open several shops in a market, the financing conversation often starts with the first unit but has to plan for the next ones too.
US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by FiiZ Drinks; 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. Review the current Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and franchise agreement with a franchise attorney and an accountant before you sign.
FiiZ Drinks Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Concept: a Utah-born specialty drink shop known for customized “dirty soda” drinks, with energy drinks, flavored waters, frozen drinks, hot chocolate and baked treats.
- Main formats: drive-thru shops are the core of the business, alongside smaller end-cap units, walk-up windows and kiosk-style locations where a site allows.
- Ownership model: the brand favors multi-unit owners who can develop a market rather than single-shop operators.
- 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 FDD; we could not verify current figures from the franchisor’s own materials, so none are quoted here.
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed as FiiZ Drinks under code S3266, with no additional notes.
What Is FiiZ Drinks?
FiiZ Drinks is a beverage-focused franchise that grew out of the Utah soda shop scene, where customers build drinks by mixing sodas with flavored syrups, creams and fruit purees. The menu has broadened to include energy drinks, sparkling and flavored waters, frozen beverages and hot chocolate, and sugar-free or sparkling-water bases let guests build lower-sugar drinks. Cookies and other quick sweet and savory items round out the order.
How a shop runs. Most sales go through the drive-thru, so speed of service and car stacking matter more than dining room space. Food items are finished in rapid-cook ovens rather than on a grill line, so a shop does not need fryers or a heavy cooking line.
Formats. Owners have opened drive-thru-only buildings, end-cap units, converted spaces and mall kiosks, and the brand has expanded beyond the Mountain West. Each format changes the build-out budget, lease and financing.
Why lenders view it the way they do. Lenders see a compact, equipment-light beverage concept listed on the SBA Franchise Directory. Their questions center on the site: visibility, traffic patterns, stacking room, local competition from other drink shops and whether a younger brand’s results in your region support the projections.
FiiZ Drinks Franchise Costs
The franchisor’s public pages we could access did not state current fees or investment figures, so a FiiZ Drinks franchise loan budget should come straight from the current FDD and from contractor and equipment quotes for your site.
Initial franchise fee
Item 5 of the FDD lists the initial franchise fee and any development fee for multi-unit agreements. Because FiiZ often signs owners to develop several shops, check whether fees for future units are due at signing or when each shop opens, since that changes how much cash you need on day one.
Build-out and real estate
For a drive-thru, the largest costs are usually site work, the building or tenant improvements, the drive-thru lane and window, menu boards, plumbing for fountain lines and ice machines, electrical work and exterior signage. End-cap and kiosk formats cut construction scope but may carry higher rent for retail visibility. See our article on restaurant build-out financing.
Equipment
Expect soda fountains and carbonation systems, ice machines and storage bins, under-counter and reach-in refrigeration, blenders and frozen-drink machines, rapid-cook ovens for food, point-of-sale and order-ahead technology, headsets for the drive-thru and smallwares.
Opening costs and working capital
Opening inventory of syrups, purees, cups and lids, grand-opening marketing, training travel, deposits, insurance, permits and payroll during the first months all belong in the plan.
Total investment
Item 7 of the FDD shows the estimated initial investment and the assumptions behind it. When you review it, look for these categories:
- Initial franchise fee and any development fee
- Real estate, lease deposits and rent before opening
- Construction, leasehold improvements and the drive-thru lane
- Fountain, ice, refrigeration and food equipment
- Signage, menu boards and drive-thru technology
- Opening inventory and supplies
- Training travel and expenses
- Grand-opening marketing
- Additional funds for the initial operating period
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Loan
Like most food and beverage franchises, FiiZ charges ongoing fees that are disclosed in Item 6 of the FDD, which typically include a royalty on sales, a marketing or brand fund contribution and technology fees.
How lenders factor these in. Royalties and marketing fees come off gross sales before cups, syrups, labor, rent and loan payments. A lender will deduct every Item 6 fee in your projections and test whether the shop still covers its debt in a slow month.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
FiiZ looks for multi-unit franchise partners with business and operating experience and enough capital to develop a market. Exact minimum net worth and liquidity requirements are set out in the franchisor’s FDD and application process; we could not verify them from the franchisor’s own materials.
The approval process. Candidates typically inquire, receive the FDD, complete an application and financial review, agree on a territory and number of shops and sign the agreement, followed by site approval and training. Talk with a lender before you commit to a development schedule.
Ways to Own a FiiZ Drinks Shop
Opening a new shop. Most owners build new locations, financing construction, equipment and working capital against projections. Our page on franchise start-up financing outlines how these loans are structured.
Buying an existing shop. Resales of operating FiiZ locations do come to market. A resale gives a lender actual sales history, and franchisor approval of the buyer is required. Read our article on buying a franchise resale before you make an offer.
Developing a market. Many FiiZ deals cover several shops under a development schedule. Each opening is financed when the site is ready, and later units are underwritten using the performance of the first ones. Our article on area development agreement financing explains how lenders approach these commitments.
Financing Options for a FiiZ Drinks Franchise
SBA 7(a) loans. An SBA 7(a) loan can combine leasehold improvements, equipment, the franchise fee and working capital in one loan, subject to approval.
SBA 504 loans. If you buy the land and build a freestanding drive-thru, an SBA 504 loan can finance the real estate and long-lived equipment with a structure built for owner-occupied property.
Conventional term loans. Experienced multi-unit operators with strong financial statements may use conventional business loans, especially for later units when the first shops have a track record.
Equipment financing. Fountain systems, ice machines, refrigeration and rapid-cook ovens can be financed separately and secured by the equipment. See our restaurant equipment financing and leasing options.
Working capital and lines of credit. Summer heat and school breaks can lift sales while cold months slow them, and pre-opening payroll and inventory come before the first sale. A line of credit helps smooth those swings. Learn more about restaurant working capital and lines of credit.
Seller financing on resales. A seller may carry part of the price of an existing shop. Seller notes are typically subordinate to the senior loan, and SBA programs may limit how they are structured.
SBA Loans for FiiZ Drinks Franchisees
SBA loans are made by participating lenders and partly guaranteed by the SBA. For a franchise, the lender also confirms that the franchise relationship lets the owner control the business, and the SBA Franchise Directory simplifies that check. The SBA 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million, though program rules can change.
FiiZ Drinks on the SBA Franchise Directory. FiiZ Drinks appears on the directory under code S3266, and the listing carries no additional notes. In plain English, the brand’s franchise documents have been reviewed for eligibility and there are no special lease or agreement conditions flagged for lenders. A listing does not approve any borrower; your credit, equity, experience and site still decide the loan.
SBA application tips. Bring the FDD and signed or proposed franchise and development agreements, the lease or letter of intent, construction bids, equipment quotes, a sources and uses statement, projections built on your site and personal financial statements and tax returns for every owner. Our article on how lenders read an FDD explains which items get the most attention.
How Lenders Evaluate a FiiZ Drinks Deal
Personal credit and financial history. Lenders review credit reports, tax returns and personal financial statements, and owners with significant stakes usually sign personal guarantees.
Net worth and liquidity. Expect to show equity for the first shop and reserves after opening. Multi-unit commitments make liquidity even more important, because lenders want to know you can fund the next shop without straining the first.
Industry and management experience. Food service, quick-service or multi-unit retail management experience strengthens an application, as does a plan for hiring and training shop managers.
Business plan and projections. Projections should be built on drive-thru traffic, hours, average ticket, food and beverage mix, seasonality, labor scheduling and every Item 6 fee. Lenders will compare them with the site’s traffic counts and the nearby competition.
The FDD and franchise agreement. Lenders read the term, renewal and transfer rules in Item 17, the development schedule, any franchisor financing in Item 10 and whether Item 19 includes financial performance representations.
Site and lease. Drive-thru stacking, access from both directions of traffic, signage rights and a lease term long enough to cover the loan are central to approval.
Drive-Thru Equipment and Site Planning
A FiiZ shop’s equipment list is shorter than a burger restaurant’s, but fountains, ice machines and refrigeration run all day, and a breakdown during a summer rush costs sales immediately. Ask about service contracts and match equipment loan terms to useful life.
The site is the other half of the plan. A short lane, blocked turns or poor visibility can limit sales no matter how good the menu is, so bring traffic data and a site plan to the franchisor and lender early.
Multi-Unit Growth and Development Agreements
Because FiiZ favors owners who develop a market, growth financing is part of the plan from the start. Lenders usually finance each shop as it reaches construction, looking at the results of open units, combined cash flow and the guarantors’ remaining liquidity. A development schedule that outpaces your capital can put the franchise agreement at risk, so build the timeline around realistic financing, not just site availability.
Real-World Scenarios
A restaurant manager opening a first shop. A former quick-service general manager signs for a small market, finances the build-out, equipment and opening payroll with an SBA 7(a) loan and plans the second shop once the first shows a full year of results.
An investor group building a freestanding drive-thru. A group buys a pad site and uses an SBA 504 loan for the land and building, financing the fountain and food equipment separately.
A buyer purchasing an operating shop. A buyer acquires an existing FiiZ location with franchisor approval. The lender underwrites the shop’s sales history, and the seller carries a small subordinate note.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Signing a multi-unit development schedule without a financing plan for every shop
- Choosing a site with too little drive-thru stacking or awkward access
- Underestimating plumbing, electrical and drive-thru construction costs
- Leaving out royalty, marketing and technology fees when projecting cash flow
- Holding too little working capital for cold-weather months
For more pitfalls, read our list of restaurant loan mistakes that cost owners the most.
Next Steps to Finance Your FiiZ Drinks Franchise
Step 1: Request and review the FDD. Read Items 5, 6, 7, 10, 17 and 19 with a franchise attorney and an accountant.
Step 2: Set a development plan and site. Agree on a number of shops you can fund and gather traffic data and lease terms for the first site.
Step 3: Price the build-out and equipment. Get construction bids and quotes for fountains, ice, refrigeration and ovens.
Step 4: Estimate payments. Use our SBA loan calculator for planning; results are estimates only, not offers or approvals.
Step 5: Apply for your FiiZ Drinks franchise loan. Submit your projections, financial statements, quotes, lease and FDD.
Step 6: Close and open. Coordinate loan closing with construction, equipment delivery, training and opening day.
FiiZ Drinks Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does it cost to open a FiiZ Drinks franchise?
The estimated initial investment is in Item 7 of the current FDD. Your actual cost depends on the format, the site, construction scope and how much working capital you hold.
What is the FiiZ Drinks franchise fee?
The initial franchise fee and any development fees are listed in Item 5 of the current FDD.
What royalty does FiiZ charge?
The royalty, marketing contribution and technology fees are disclosed in Item 6 of the current FDD.
How much liquid capital or net worth do I need?
The franchisor sets these minimums in its FDD and application process. Lenders will also want equity in the deal and reserves after opening.
Can I get an SBA loan for a FiiZ Drinks franchise?
Yes, if you qualify. FiiZ Drinks is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory under code S3266 with no additional notes.
Can I finance fountain and ice equipment separately?
Yes. Beverage and food equipment can often be financed on its own, secured by the equipment.
Can I buy an existing FiiZ shop?
Yes, with franchisor approval. A resale lets the lender review real sales history.
Can a first-time owner get a FiiZ Drinks franchise loan?
Possibly. Strong credit, equity, reserves and food service or management experience help, and a solid site makes a big difference.
Does FiiZ offer financing?
Item 10 of the current FDD describes any financing the franchisor offers. Most owners arrange their own loans.
How long is the FiiZ franchise agreement?
The term, renewal and transfer rules appear in Item 17 of the FDD. Lenders want the franchise term and lease to cover the loan term.
Final Thoughts
A FiiZ Drinks shop is a compact, drive-thru-driven business, so financing turns on the site, the build-out, beverage equipment and enough working capital for seasonal swings. Because the brand favors multi-unit owners, plan the first loan with the second and third shops in mind.
US Professional Funding helps franchise owners finance new shops, acquisitions, equipment and working capital. Learn more about our franchise financing and restaurant financing programs.
