How to Finance a Frenchies Modern Nail Care Franchise: Build-Out
By Anthony Cornella
A Frenchies Modern Nail Care franchise loan funds a nail studio built around cleanliness: a leased space finished with manicure and pedicure stations, sterilization equipment, ventilation, retail displays and the payroll to carry trained nail technicians while a client base forms. The brand’s emphasis on sanitation shapes both the build-out budget and the story you tell a lender.
This article covers the brand’s background, how the investment is organized, the brand’s SBA Franchise Directory note about lease documents, the smaller studio format the company introduced in 2025, and how lenders approach new studios, resales and multi-unit plans.
US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Frenchies Modern Nail Care; the name is used only to describe the business. Figures from the franchisor’s disclosure document can change, so request and review the current Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) before relying on any cost or fee. Loan programs and terms vary by lender and borrower, and every loan is subject to approval. Nothing here is legal, tax or investment advice.
Frenchies Modern Nail Care Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Concept: nail care studios built on strict disinfection, toxin-free, well-ventilated spaces and transparent pricing.
- History: the first studio opened in Littleton, Colorado, in 2014, and franchising began in 2015.
- System size: the company reported 27 locations across 13 states in August 2026.
- Fees and investment: the franchise fee, royalty, marketing fund and Item 7 investment range are disclosed in the current FDD; we could not review the document directly, so confirm each figure with the franchisor.
- Formats: the full studio plus a smaller “Frenchies Mini” format launched in 2025 for existing owners in select markets.
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed as Frenchies Modern Nail Care (code S2026) with a note about the brand’s Lease Addendum.
What Is Frenchies Modern Nail Care?
Frenchies was founded by Guy and Stephanie Coffey and is headquartered in Littleton, Colorado, where its first studio opened in 2014. The brand set out to fix what many customers dislike about nail salons: uncertain hygiene, harsh fumes and unclear pricing. Its studios are built around a “We Love Clean” philosophy, with autoclave sterilization of tools, no jetted foot tubs, ventilation designed for a toxin-free environment and cruelty-free products.
The company began franchising in 2015 and reported 27 studios across 13 states in its August 2026 announcement. Today it operates within a larger family of beauty franchise brands under a parent company that provides operations, marketing and franchise development support.
Why lenders view Frenchies the way they do. A lender sees a service business with modest equipment needs, a repeat-visit customer base and a clear brand standard. The main risks are labor: hiring and keeping licensed nail technicians, and building enough bookings to cover rent and payroll in the first year.
Frenchies Modern Nail Care Franchise Costs
We could not access the current Frenchies disclosure document, so this section explains how the investment is organized rather than quoting dollar amounts. Work from the Item 7 table in the FDD you receive.
Initial franchise fee. Item 5 discloses the fee, when it is paid and whether any portion is refundable. SBA-backed loans can generally include it in project costs.
Lease and build-out. A Frenchies studio is typically in leased retail space. The build-out covers plumbing for pedicure stations and sinks, ventilation and air handling to support the brand’s clean-air standard, electrical work, finishes, lighting and signage. Ventilation and plumbing are the items most likely to push costs above a basic retail fit-out, so get contractor estimates early.
Equipment and furnishings. Expect pedicure chairs, manicure tables, client and technician seating, autoclaves and other sterilization equipment, nail dryers, storage, retail shelving, and the point-of-sale and booking technology the franchisor requires.
Opening costs and working capital. Opening inventory of polishes, supplies and retail products, licenses, training, grand opening marketing and additional funds for the first months of rent and payroll round out the budget.
Total investment. Item 7 combines these costs into a range. Typical line items include:
- Initial franchise fee
- Lease deposits and rent during construction
- Leasehold improvements, plumbing and ventilation
- Pedicure chairs, manicure stations and furniture
- Sterilization equipment and supplies
- Technology, booking and point-of-sale systems
- Signage and decor
- Opening inventory and retail products
- Training, licenses and professional fees
- Grand opening marketing
- Additional funds for the initial operating period
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Loan
Item 6 of the FDD lists royalties, brand marketing fund contributions, technology fees and transfer and renewal fees. Confirm each rate and the basis for calculating it.
Lenders deduct these fees from projected revenue before measuring how much cash is left for debt service. In a labor-heavy business, where technician pay is the largest expense, every percentage point of fees matters. Model fees alongside realistic payroll so the lender sees a complete picture of your Frenchies Modern Nail Care franchise loan repayment capacity.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
Frenchies sets its own net worth, liquidity and background expectations, which appear in its franchise materials and FDD. Ask for them early so your financing plan matches.
Owners do not usually need to be licensed nail technicians, but they do need to recruit, schedule and retain licensed staff. Management, retail or hospitality experience strengthens both the franchise application and the loan file. Expect an application, discovery meetings, FDD review, site approval and training before opening.
Ways to Own a Frenchies Studio
Open a new studio. A new location is financed on projections. Our franchise start-up financing page explains how start-up loans combine build-out, equipment and working capital.
Buy an existing studio. With 27 locations reported in 2026, resales may occasionally be available. Lenders underwrite an existing studio on its actual bookings, payroll and tax returns. Read our article on buying a franchise resale before making an offer.
Start with a Frenchies Mini. In October 2025, the company announced its first Frenchies Mini, a smaller studio format that lets owners begin serving clients, generating cash flow and training technicians before opening a full-size flagship. The company said the format reduces start-up time and costs and is available to existing owners in select markets. For financing, a Mini typically means a smaller initial loan, followed later by a larger build-out loan supported by actual operating results.
Financing Options for a Frenchies Modern Nail Care Franchise
SBA 7(a) loans. A 7(a) loan can cover the franchise fee, build-out, equipment, inventory and working capital in one package. See our SBA 7(a) loan page.
SBA 504 loans. If you buy the building where your studio operates, a 504 loan can finance the real estate and long-lived equipment; our SBA 504 loan overview explains how. Owning the property triggers the SBA Franchise Directory note discussed below, and our page on franchise real estate and expansion financing covers property purchases.
Conventional term loans. Experienced owners with strong credit and collateral can consider a conventional business loan.
Equipment financing. Pedicure chairs, sterilization equipment and furniture can be financed separately, matching payments to the equipment’s useful life. See our franchise equipment financing options.
Working capital and lines of credit. Payroll comes due whether or not bookings have caught up. A working capital reserve or line of credit bridges the ramp-up and seasonal dips; see our franchise working capital page.
Seller financing on resales. A seller may carry part of the price on an existing studio. Lenders typically require the seller note to be subordinate, and loan programs may restrict its terms.
SBA Loans for Frenchies Franchisees
The SBA Franchise Directory lists brands whose franchise agreements have been reviewed for SBA eligibility, which lets lenders move ahead without a separate review of the franchise documents.
The listing and what the note means. Frenchies Modern Nail Care appears under code S2026 with this note: when the real estate where the franchise business is located will secure the SBA-guaranteed loan, the Lease Addendum may not be executed. In plain English, the franchise system uses a lease addendum that gives the franchisor certain rights over a studio’s lease, such as the ability to step in if the franchise ends. If you own the building and pledge it as loan collateral, that addendum should not be signed for the property, so the lender’s claim on the real estate is not complicated by those rights. Most owners lease, in which case the standard addendum applies; your lender and attorney will confirm the right documents.
Application tips. Bring the FDD, franchise agreement, lease proposal, personal financial statement, tax returns, resume and a site-specific business plan. The SBA 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million (program rules can change), far above a typical studio project, so your cash flow and collateral will set the realistic loan size. Estimate payments with our SBA loan calculator.
How Lenders Evaluate a Frenchies Deal
Personal credit and financial history. Lenders review credit reports, existing debts and your repayment history.
Net worth and liquidity. Expect to show the cash for your injection and reserves after closing, measured against the franchisor’s own requirements.
Industry and management experience. Experience leading hourly staff in retail, beauty or hospitality is valuable. Show how you will recruit licensed technicians in your market.
Business plan and projections. Build your projections around service capacity: the number of stations, technician schedules, average services per day and retail sales. Our article on writing a franchise business plan for an SBA loan walks through the structure.
The FDD and franchise agreement. Lenders read the fee, investment and term disclosures, and they want the franchise term to cover the loan.
Site and lease. Lenders look at co-tenants, parking, visibility and lease length. Avoid committing to a space before financing is lined up; our article on signing a lease before loan approval explains the risks.
For resales. Expect to provide the studio’s tax returns, profit and loss statements and booking data.
Clean-Studio Equipment and Staffing: The Brand-Specific Deep Dive
The Frenchies standard is not only a marketing message; it affects your budget. Autoclaves, disinfection supplies and pedicure stations without jetted tubs must meet the brand’s specifications, and ventilation must support the clean-air promise. Ask the franchisor for the approved equipment list early so contractor bids and equipment quotes match.
Staffing is the other critical piece. A Frenchies studio cannot grow faster than its technician roster. Lenders respond well to plans that show recruiting channels, training through the franchisor’s model and realistic time to fill each station.
Multi-Unit Growth and Development Agreements
Some Frenchies owners operate more than one studio; the 2025 Mini announcement featured multi-unit owners operating across four states. If you plan to grow, ask about development agreements and opening schedules. Lenders finance each studio on its own merits but review the combined debt and the first studio’s results. A Mini can serve as a stepping stone, letting you prove demand before taking on a full build-out.
Real-World Scenarios
The salon manager. A former salon manager opens a studio in a busy neighborhood center. Her hiring network strengthens the lender’s confidence in the ramp-up.
The corporate career changer. A buyer with no beauty background hires an experienced studio manager and leans on franchisor training. The lender focuses on liquidity and the staffing plan.
The property owner. A buyer acquires a small retail building and opens a studio in it. Because the real estate secures the SBA loan, the Lease Addendum is not executed for that property.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Underbudgeting plumbing and ventilation in the build-out.
- Projecting full stations from opening day without a hiring plan.
- Signing a lease before financing is approved.
- Overlooking the Lease Addendum rule when buying real estate.
- Leaving too little working capital for payroll during ramp-up.
Our guide to franchise loan mistakes covers more.
Next Steps to Finance Your Frenchies Modern Nail Care Franchise
Step 1: Request the current FDD. Review fees, the Item 7 table and the franchise term.
Step 2: Confirm candidate requirements. Get the franchisor’s net worth and liquidity expectations in writing.
Step 3: Organize your finances. Gather tax returns, bank statements and a personal financial statement.
Step 4: Talk to current owners. Ask about hiring, ramp-up and build-out surprises.
Step 5: Build a site-specific plan. Tie revenue to station count and technician schedules.
Step 6: Choose your financing. Compare SBA, conventional and equipment financing.
Step 7: Apply before you commit. Get approval before signing the lease.
Frenchies Modern Nail Care Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does a Frenchies franchise cost?
The estimated initial investment is in Item 7 of the FDD. Plan at the high end of the range.
What is the Frenchies franchise fee and royalty?
The franchise fee appears in Item 5 and ongoing royalties and fund contributions in Item 6.
How much liquid capital do I need?
The franchisor sets its own net worth and liquidity expectations. Lenders also require a cash injection and reserves.
Can I get an SBA-backed Frenchies Modern Nail Care franchise loan?
Yes, if you qualify. The brand is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory under code S2026, with a note about the Lease Addendum when real estate secures the loan.
Do I need to be a licensed nail technician?
Not usually, but you must hire and manage licensed staff. Confirm any requirements with the franchisor.
What is a Frenchies Mini?
A smaller studio format announced in 2025 that lets existing owners in select markets start serving clients before opening a full-size studio.
Can I finance pedicure chairs separately?
Yes. Equipment financing can cover chairs, stations and sterilization equipment.
Can I buy an existing Frenchies studio?
With franchisor approval, yes. Lenders underwrite the studio’s historical results.
Does Frenchies offer financing?
Item 10 of the FDD discloses any franchisor financing.
How long is the franchise term?
The term and renewal conditions are in Item 17. Lenders want the term to cover the loan.
Does the FDD include financial performance information?
Check Item 19 of the current FDD to see whether it includes financial performance representations.
Final Thoughts
A Frenchies Modern Nail Care franchise loan should reflect what makes the brand different: a clean-studio standard that drives build-out and equipment choices, and a business that depends on hiring and keeping skilled technicians. Plan for both, understand the SBA directory note, and match each cost to the right financing.
US Professional Funding helps franchise owners finance start-ups, acquisitions, equipment and working capital. Learn more about our franchise business financing solutions.
