How to Finance a Flying Burger Franchise: Ark-La-Tex Burger Costs
By Chris Cornella
A Flying Burger franchise loan funds a regional restaurant brand that started with burgers and wings in Magnolia, Arkansas, and grew a menu of fried seafood alongside it. Because the brand is small and does not publish its fees online, financing starts with the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and a careful plan for build-out, kitchen equipment and opening cash.
US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Flying Burger; 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 FDD and franchise agreement with a franchise attorney and an accountant before you sign.
Flying Burger Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Concept: a burger and seafood restaurant serving fresh ground burgers, fresh-cut fries, chicken wings, fried seafood and lighter options.
- Origins: the first Flying Burger opened in Magnolia, Arkansas, in 2008, according to the company.
- Franchising: the first franchised restaurant opened in Ruston, Louisiana, in 2017, and the company says it is selling franchises across the Ark-La-Tex region.
- Fees and investment: the franchise fee, royalty, marketing contributions and estimated initial investment are disclosed in Items 5, 6 and 7 of the current FDD; the franchisor’s website does not publish them.
- Owner requirements: not published; prospects request information through the company’s franchise inquiry form.
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed as “Flying Burger / Flying Burger Express” under code S8419, with no additional notes.
What Is Flying Burger?
Flying Burger is a family-built restaurant brand from south Arkansas. Its founder, Robert Smith, learned the restaurant business as a teenager in 1975, when his father opened a small fast-food chicken restaurant. Six years later he bought the family business, and over the following years he owned and ran several restaurants, mostly seafood buffets.
In 2008 he changed concepts and opened the first Flying Burger in Magnolia, Arkansas. The original menu was simple: hamburgers and chicken wings, served from a modest building. Customer requests pushed the menu toward fried seafood and, later, healthier options.
Growth timeline. The company opened a restaurant in El Dorado, Arkansas, in 2012 and a second Magnolia location in 2014. Its first franchise opened in Ruston, Louisiana, in 2017. The company describes its franchise program as “a solid investment” and says it is now selling franchises across the Ark-La-Tex region where Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas meet.
Flying Burger Express. The SBA Franchise Directory entry covers both “Flying Burger” and “Flying Burger Express,” which tells buyers that the franchisor offers more than one name or format. Ask which format is offered and whether the FDD gives it a separate Item 7 estimate.
How lenders view the brand. Lenders will see a young, regional franchise system led by a founder with decades of restaurant experience. With a limited franchise track record, a Flying Burger franchise loan leans heavily on the buyer’s own background, liquidity and site.
Flying Burger Franchise Costs
Flying Burger does not post a fee schedule or investment range on its website, so every dollar figure in your budget should come from the current FDD.
Initial franchise fee. Item 5 shows the initial franchise fee, when it is due and whether any portion is refundable. Lenders can finance the fee as part of a startup package, but they will look for it in your sources and uses table.
Real estate and build-out. A burger and seafood restaurant needs a kitchen with hoods, fire suppression, grease management and enough fryer capacity for seafood and fries. Leasehold improvements are usually the largest variable cost, and Item 7 shows the franchisor’s estimate and its site assumptions.
Equipment and furniture. Expect grills, fryers, refrigeration, freezer storage for seafood, prep tables, a point-of-sale system, dining furniture and signage. These items are also the most financeable assets in the project.
Opening costs and working capital. Opening food inventory, training travel, hiring and grand-opening marketing come before the first sale. Item 7 also lists “additional funds” for the first months of operation.
Total investment. Item 7 of the FDD will typically group costs into lines like these:
- Initial franchise fee
- Real estate, rent deposits and leasehold improvements
- Kitchen equipment, smallwares and furniture
- Signage and exterior image elements
- Point-of-sale and technology
- Opening inventory and supplies
- Training, travel and pre-opening labor
- Grand-opening marketing
- Insurance, licenses, permits and professional fees
- Additional funds for the initial operating period
Check that the lines add up to the stated total. For first-time buyers, our overview of franchise start-up financing explains how lenders build a project budget from Item 7.
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Loan
Royalty and marketing. Item 6 lists the royalty, any brand or advertising fund contribution, local marketing requirements and technology fees. Most restaurant royalties are a percentage of gross sales, so they rise with revenue and come out before debt service.
How lenders use these numbers. A lender will subtract royalty, marketing, rent, food cost and labor from projected sales to estimate cash available for loan payments. A seafood-heavy menu can carry higher and more volatile food costs than a burger-only concept, so build a cushion into your projections.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
Flying Burger does not publish a minimum net worth or liquid capital figure. Candidates submit the franchise inquiry form on the company’s website, and the franchisor’s review will typically cover finances, background and restaurant experience. Ask for its written requirements early so your lender knows the equity the franchisor expects.
The approval process. Expect an inquiry, conversations with the franchisor, delivery of the FDD and site discussions before you sign. Start financing conversations during this window.
Ways to Own a Flying Burger
A new restaurant. Most buyers will open a new unit in a market the franchisor approves. Lenders underwrite these deals on projections, the buyer’s experience and the lease terms.
Buying an existing location. A resale gives lenders actual sales history and tax returns to review, which often makes underwriting easier. The franchisor must approve the transfer. See our article on buying a franchise resale for how transfers usually work, and our page on franchise restaurant acquisition financing.
Converting a restaurant building. A former fast-food or seafood restaurant can reduce construction costs if the hood, grease trap and layout fit. Ask the franchisor whether a second-generation building is acceptable and budget for its brand standards.
Financing Options for a Flying Burger Franchise
SBA 7(a) loans. Because the brand is on the SBA Franchise Directory, a Flying Burger franchise loan can be structured as an SBA 7(a) loan that funds the franchise fee, build-out, equipment, opening inventory and working capital, subject to lender approval.
SBA 504 loans. If you plan to buy the land and building, an SBA 504 loan can finance owner-occupied real estate and long-lived equipment with long terms.
Conventional term loans. Buyers with strong liquidity, collateral or restaurant experience may qualify for a conventional business loan, which can offer flexibility on structure.
Equipment financing. Fryers, flat-top grills, walk-in coolers and freezers, ice machines, hood systems and point-of-sale hardware can be financed separately through restaurant equipment financing and leasing, which can preserve cash for opening costs.
Working capital and lines of credit. New restaurants need cash for payroll, food purchases and marketing while sales ramp up. Seafood prices can swing, so a reserve or a line of credit helps you absorb cost spikes. See our restaurant working capital options.
Seller financing on resales. On an existing restaurant, a seller may agree to carry part of the price. Seller notes are typically subordinate to the senior loan, and SBA rules can limit how they are structured.
SBA Loans for Flying Burger Franchisees
The SBA Franchise Directory lists brands whose franchise agreements have been reviewed for SBA eligibility. SBA lenders generally require a brand to appear on the directory before making an SBA-guaranteed loan to one of its franchisees.
Flying Burger’s directory listing. Flying Burger appears as “Flying Burger / Flying Burger Express” under code S8419, with no additional notes. In plain English, no special conditions are listed for either name, though your own eligibility and project still go through normal lender review.
Program size. The SBA 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million, though program rules can change.
Application tips. Bring a complete FDD, a signed or proposed lease, contractor bids, equipment quotes and a monthly projection for the first years of operation. Use our SBA loan calculator to test payment scenarios; results are estimates for planning only.
How Lenders Evaluate a Flying Burger Deal
Personal credit and financial history. Expect a review of credit, tax returns and a personal financial statement.
Net worth and liquidity. Lenders want to see that you can make the required equity injection and still hold reserves.
Industry and management experience. Restaurant management experience, especially in quick-service or fried-food kitchens, carries weight with a young franchise brand.
Business plan and projections. Base projections on local traffic, competition, seating and drive-thru or takeout capacity, and the food cost mix between burgers and seafood. Our article on writing a franchise business plan for an SBA loan walks through the structure.
The FDD and franchise agreement. Lenders review the franchise term, renewal and transfer conditions in Item 17, any franchisor financing in Item 10, and the number of open and closed units in Item 20. Item 19 shows whether the franchisor provides financial performance representations. Our article on how lenders read an FDD explains the key items.
Site and lease. Lenders want a lease term, with renewals, that covers the loan.
Historical financials for resales. For an existing location, expect to provide several years of profit and loss statements, sales reports and tax returns.
Kitchen Equipment and Build-Out
A burger and seafood kitchen runs hot and fast. Fryers handle fries, wings and seafood, so oil management, filtration and ventilation matter. Cold storage must handle fresh ground beef and frozen seafood safely. Get equipment quotes that match the franchisor’s specifications.
Second-generation savings. Reusing an existing hood or walk-in can lower costs, but lenders will want an inspection report.
Multi-Unit Growth and Development Agreements
Owners who want more than one restaurant should ask whether the franchisor offers development agreements, how territories are defined and what opening schedule it expects. Once the first unit has a track record, lenders can underwrite its cash flow alongside projections for the next one, so avoid an aggressive schedule before the first restaurant is stable.
Real-World Scenarios
A former restaurant manager opening a first unit. A buyer with years of quick-service management experience uses an SBA 7(a) loan to fund the franchise fee, build-out in a leased building and opening working capital, and finances a portion of the equipment separately.
A local investor converting a vacant restaurant. An owner who already controls a former fast-food building uses an SBA 504 loan for the real estate and improvements and a separate loan for equipment and opening costs.
A buyer taking over an existing location. A new owner buys a franchised restaurant from a retiring operator. The lender reviews several years of sales and tax returns, and the seller carries a small subordinate note.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Signing a lease before confirming how much you can borrow
- Budgeting from estimates that do not come from the current FDD
- Underestimating fryer, hood and cold storage costs for a seafood menu
- Leaving too little working capital for food cost swings and slow early months
- Overlooking whether the site’s format is Flying Burger or Flying Burger Express
For more pitfalls, read the most costly restaurant loan mistakes.
Next Steps to Finance Your Flying Burger Franchise
Step 1: Request franchise information. Submit the company’s inquiry form and ask for its written owner requirements.
Step 2: Review the FDD with advisors. Study Items 5, 6, 7, 10, 17, 19 and 20 with a franchise attorney and accountant.
Step 3: Talk with a financing specialist. Learn how lenders will size a Flying Burger franchise loan for your experience, equity and credit before you commit to a site.
Step 4: Choose a site and format. Confirm whether you are opening a full Flying Burger or an Express format, and get contractor and equipment bids.
Step 5: Build your plan and projections. Prepare monthly projections that reflect the brand’s fees, local rent and a realistic ramp-up.
Step 6: Apply and close. Submit the full loan package, coordinate franchisor approval and lease signing, and keep a working capital reserve for opening.
Flying Burger Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does a Flying Burger franchise cost?
Flying Burger does not publish its investment range online. The total estimated initial investment, including the franchise fee, build-out, equipment and opening funds, is in Item 7 of the current FDD.
What is the Flying Burger franchise fee?
The initial franchise fee is disclosed in Item 5 of the FDD. Ask the franchisor whether any different fee applies to the Express format or to additional units.
What royalty does Flying Burger charge?
Royalty and marketing fees are listed in Item 6 of the FDD. Build them into your projections before you apply for a loan.
How much liquid capital do I need?
The franchisor does not publish a minimum. Ask for its written requirements, and expect lenders to look for an equity injection plus reserves.
Is Flying Burger approved for SBA loans?
Flying Burger is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory as “Flying Burger / Flying Burger Express” with no additional notes, so SBA lenders can consider its franchisees. Each loan still requires approval.
Can I buy an existing Flying Burger?
Yes, if an owner is selling and the franchisor approves the transfer. Lenders will review the restaurant’s historical financials.
Can a first-time owner get a Flying Burger franchise loan?
Yes, though restaurant management experience strengthens the application. Lenders weigh experience, liquidity and the strength of the site.
Does Flying Burger offer financing?
Item 10 of the FDD discloses whether the franchisor offers any direct or indirect financing. Most buyers arrange outside loans.
How long is the franchise term?
The term, renewal rights and transfer conditions appear in Item 17 of the FDD. Lenders like the remaining term to cover the loan.
What documents do I need for a Flying Burger franchise loan?
Expect tax returns, a personal financial statement, a resume, the FDD, a lease or letter of intent, bids and projections.
Final Thoughts
A Flying Burger franchise loan supports a regional burger and seafood concept with a founder who has spent decades running restaurants. Because the franchisor’s public materials are limited, buyers who work from the FDD, plan for a fryer-heavy kitchen and line up financing before signing a lease will be in the best position to open well.
US Professional Funding helps franchise buyers and owners finance start-ups, acquisitions, equipment and working capital. Learn more about our franchise financing and restaurant financing solutions.
