How to Finance a Go Greek Yogurt Franchise: Froyo Café Costs
By Anthony Cornella
A Go Greek Yogurt franchise loan funds a small-format café built around Greek yogurt, frozen Greek yogurt, yogurt bowls and smoothies. The money typically goes to a leased storefront, the build-out of a counter and prep area, frozen yogurt machines and refrigeration, opening inventory and working capital for the first months.
The franchisor’s fee schedule and investment table were not available in materials we could verify, so this article explains how these deals are financed, what to pull from the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), what the brand’s SBA Franchise Directory note about lease riders means, and which loan types fit a new or existing café.
US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Go Greek Yogurt; the name is used only to describe the business. Figures from the franchisor’s disclosure document can change, loan programs and terms vary by lender and borrower, and every loan is subject to review and approval. Nothing here is legal, tax or investment advice.
Go Greek Yogurt Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Concept: a yogurt bar and café inspired by Greek culture, serving traditional Greek yogurt, frozen Greek yogurt, yogurt bowls and smoothies.
- Founded: 2012, in Beverly Hills, California.
- Footprint: cafés in California, Florida and New York, with franchised openings in other U.S. markets and locations abroad.
- Franchise fee, royalty and investment: see Items 5, 6 and 7 of the current FDD; we could not verify them from franchisor materials.
- Candidate requirements: net worth and liquidity minimums are shared by the franchisor during discovery.
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed as Go Greek Yogurt (code S8167), with a note about the lease rider when the real estate secures the loan.
What Is Go Greek Yogurt?
Go Greek Yogurt opened in Beverly Hills in 2012, co-founded by Tanja and David Subotic. The brand presents itself as an authentic yogurt bar and café inspired by Greek culture, with a focus on probiotic-rich options. Its menu centers on traditional Greek yogurt, frozen Greek yogurt, yogurt bowls and smoothies.
From its Southern California base, the brand has expanded into Florida and New York, with announced franchise openings in additional U.S. cities and locations abroad.
Why the format matters to lenders. A yogurt café is usually a small, counter-service space with no full commercial kitchen line, which keeps the build-out lighter than a typical restaurant. A Go Greek Yogurt franchise loan still gets close scrutiny of foot traffic, seasonality and rent, though, because sales depend heavily on location and weather.
Go Greek Yogurt Franchise Costs
Initial franchise fee. Item 5 of the FDD states the fee, when it is due and any reduced fees for additional cafés under a development agreement.
Real estate and build-out. Most cafés lease space in shopping centers, walkable retail districts or near campuses. Build-out covers the service counter, toppings and display cases, plumbing for sinks, electrical work for frozen yogurt machines and refrigeration, seating, lighting and finishes. A landlord tenant improvement allowance can reduce the amount you need to borrow.
Equipment. Typical items include soft-serve frozen yogurt machines, reach-in and walk-in refrigeration, freezers, blenders for smoothies, display cases, prep tables, dishwashing equipment, and point-of-sale and ordering technology.
Opening costs and working capital. Expect opening inventory of yogurt, fruit and toppings, packaging, grand opening marketing, training expenses, deposits, insurance, permits and an additional funds line to cover early operating months.
Total investment. Item 7 lists the total estimated range along with categories such as:
- Initial franchise fee
- Leasehold improvements
- Frozen yogurt machines, refrigeration and kitchen equipment
- Furniture, fixtures, signage and decor
- Point-of-sale and technology systems
- Opening inventory and supplies
- Grand opening marketing and training expenses
- Security deposits, licenses, permits and insurance
- Additional funds for the initial operating period
Ask how the range differs between a mall or kiosk-style space and an inline storefront, since size and location type shape the build-out.
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Loan
Item 6 discloses the royalty, any brand or marketing fund contribution, local advertising requirements, technology fees, and transfer and renewal fees. Check whether the franchisor requires specific suppliers or proprietary products, since product cost is a major expense in a dessert café.
How lenders treat these costs. Lenders subtract royalties, marketing contributions and other fees before calculating the cash available for debt service. For a seasonal concept, they often look at monthly cash flow rather than annual averages to make sure the business can carry its loan payment during slower months.
Refresh obligations. Review the franchise agreement for any required remodel or equipment upgrade during the term, which may require additional financing later.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
The franchisor shares its financial requirements during discovery. Expect it to evaluate:
- Liquid capital to cover the cash injection, opening costs and reserves
- Net worth that supports the café and any development commitment
- Food service, retail or management experience, or a plan to hire an experienced manager
- Your target market and willingness to follow the brand’s site and design standards
Approval process. Expect an inquiry, an introductory call, delivery of the FDD, validation calls with existing owners and a financial review. Lenders usually want franchisor approval before they issue a final commitment.
Ways to Own a Go Greek Yogurt Café
A new café. Most franchise buyers open new cafés. Lenders underwrite projections, the lease and the borrower’s finances. See our franchise start-up financing options.
Buying an existing café. If a franchised café comes up for sale, a buyer can rely on actual sales history, which many lenders prefer. The franchisor must approve the transfer, and the landlord must usually approve a lease assignment. Our guides to buying a franchise resale and restaurant lease assignment explain those steps.
Multiple cafés. Buyers who want to develop a market may sign for more than one café. Each is usually financed as it opens.
Financing Options for a Go Greek Yogurt Franchise
SBA 7(a) loans. Because the brand is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory, an SBA 7(a) loan is often the starting point. It can cover build-out, equipment, the franchise fee and working capital in one loan.
SBA 504 loans. If an owner buys the building, an SBA 504 loan can finance owner-occupied real estate and long-lived equipment. This is less common for a small café but can fit a freestanding or mixed-use property.
Conventional term loans. Borrowers with strong credit, experience and collateral may qualify for a conventional business loan, especially when adding a café to an existing business.
Build-out financing. Leasehold improvements are often the largest single cost. Read more about restaurant build-out financing.
Equipment financing. Frozen yogurt machines, refrigeration, blenders and point-of-sale systems can often be financed or leased separately, preserving cash for opening. See restaurant equipment financing and leasing.
Working capital and lines of credit. Frozen dessert sales often rise in warm months and slow in cooler ones, depending on the market. A line of credit can smooth payroll, rent and inventory during slower periods. Explore restaurant working capital options.
Seller financing on resales. A seller may carry part of the price on an existing café. Any seller note is typically subordinate to the senior lender, and loan programs may limit how it can be structured.
SBA Loans for Go Greek Yogurt Franchisees
SBA lenders generally require a franchise brand to appear on the SBA Franchise Directory before they can make an SBA-guaranteed loan to one of its franchisees. A listing means the franchise documents have been reviewed for eligibility; it does not approve any individual borrower.
Directory listing and note. Go Greek Yogurt is listed under code S8167. The directory note says that when the real estate where the franchise business is located is used to secure the SBA-guaranteed loan, the Lease Rider may not be executed.
What the note means in plain English. Many franchisors require a lease rider, an addendum to the franchisee’s lease that gives the franchisor certain rights, such as stepping into the lease if the franchise ends. That makes sense when the franchisee rents from a landlord. But if the franchisee owns the property and pledges it as collateral for the SBA loan, a lease rider could conflict with the lender’s lien. The note signals that the rider should not be signed in that situation. If you lease your space from a third party, the note generally does not change anything, but confirm the details with your lender and franchise attorney.
Program limits. The SBA 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million, though program rules can change. Directory status can also change, so confirm it when you apply.
How Lenders Evaluate a Go Greek Yogurt Deal
Personal credit and financial history. Lenders review credit, tax returns and a personal financial statement, and usually require personal guarantees.
Net worth and liquidity. Lenders want to see the cash injection plus reserves left after opening, especially for a seasonal concept.
Industry and management experience. Food service, retail or hospitality management experience strengthens a request. Absentee owners should show who will run the café.
Business plan and projections. Projections should reflect the site’s foot traffic, seasonality, average ticket and product cost. Avoid assuming steady summer sales all year.
The FDD and franchise agreement. Lenders review the fees, term, renewal and transfer conditions. Our article on how lenders read a franchise disclosure document covers which items matter most. Check whether Item 19 includes financial performance representations.
Site and lease. Lenders want a lease term that at least covers the loan, reasonable rent relative to expected sales and clear rules on co-tenancy and exclusive use in a shopping center.
Resale financials. For an existing café, expect to provide profit and loss statements, sales reports and tax returns for several years.
Equipment and Seasonality
Frozen yogurt machines are the heart of the café. They need reliable power, routine cleaning and service, and eventually replacement. Ask the franchisor which models are required and what a typical service plan includes, then match any equipment loan term to the machine’s useful life.
Planning for the off-season. Bowls and smoothies can help even out sales when frozen dessert demand dips. In your projections, show how menu mix and labor scheduling change by season, and keep a working capital cushion for the slowest months.
Multi-Unit Growth and Development Agreements
Owners who want more than one café may sign a development agreement that sets an opening schedule. Missing deadlines can cost territory rights, so financing should be planned café by café.
Financing the next café. Once the first café has operating history, lenders can underwrite its results alongside projections for the next. Some owners finance each location separately, while others refinance and consolidate debt as they grow.
Real-World Scenarios
A first-time owner near a campus. A buyer leases a small inline space near a university and uses an SBA 7(a) loan for build-out, equipment and working capital, planning around the academic calendar.
A property owner opening a café. A buyer who owns a small retail building opens a café in it and pledges the property as collateral. Because of the directory note, the franchisor’s lease rider is not signed for that location.
A buyer of an existing café. A buyer acquires a café from a relocating owner, financing it with an SBA loan and a subordinated seller note, subject to franchisor and landlord approval.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Projecting peak-season sales across the whole year
- Underestimating electrical and plumbing costs for frozen yogurt machines
- Signing a lease before confirming co-tenancy, signage and permitted use
- Overlooking the lease rider note when pledging owned real estate
- Leaving too little working capital for slow months
For more, read about the restaurant loan mistakes that cost owners the most.
Next Steps to Finance Your Go Greek Yogurt Franchise
Step 1: Request the FDD. Complete discovery and note the fee, royalty, investment range and financial requirements.
Step 2: Review it with advisors. Have a franchise attorney and accountant review the FDD, the franchise agreement and any lease rider.
Step 3: Estimate your budget. Use our SBA loan calculator for early payment estimates, which are for planning only.
Step 4: Find a site. Evaluate foot traffic, visibility and rent, and confirm utility capacity for the equipment.
Step 5: Build projections. Show monthly sales by season, product cost, labor and fees.
Step 6: Apply for your Go Greek Yogurt franchise loan. Submit tax returns, a personal financial statement, the FDD, the lease or letter of intent, build-out estimates and equipment quotes.
Step 7: Close and open. Coordinate construction, equipment delivery, training and grand opening with your loan timeline.
Go Greek Yogurt Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does a Go Greek Yogurt franchise cost?
The total estimated investment is disclosed in Item 7 of the current FDD. We could not verify it from franchisor materials, so request the FDD during discovery.
What is the Go Greek Yogurt franchise fee?
Item 5 of the FDD lists the initial franchise fee and any multi-unit fees.
What royalty does Go Greek Yogurt charge?
The royalty, marketing contribution and other ongoing fees appear in Item 6.
How much liquid capital do I need?
The franchisor shares its liquidity and net worth requirements during discovery. Lenders will also want reserves beyond the cash injection.
Can I get an SBA loan for a Go Greek Yogurt franchise?
Yes, the brand is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory under code S8167, so eligible borrowers can apply. Every loan is still subject to approval.
What does the SBA directory note mean?
If you own the property and pledge it to secure the SBA loan, the franchisor’s lease rider may not be signed. It generally does not affect owners who lease from a landlord.
Can I finance the frozen yogurt machines separately?
Often, yes. Equipment financing or leasing can cover machines, refrigeration and technology apart from the build-out loan.
Can I buy an existing café?
Yes, if one is available and the franchisor and landlord approve the transfer. Lenders can then review actual sales history.
Can a first-time owner get a Go Greek Yogurt franchise loan?
Yes, if the franchisor approves the candidate and the borrower meets lender standards. Management experience and reserves help.
Does the franchisor offer financing?
Item 10 of the FDD discloses any franchisor financing. Most buyers arrange their own loans.
How long is the franchise term?
Item 17 sets out the term, renewal and transfer conditions. Lenders generally want the term to at least match the loan.
Final Thoughts
A Go Greek Yogurt café is a compact, equipment-driven business whose results depend on location and season. Buyers who read the FDD closely, understand the directory’s lease rider note, plan for slower months and keep cash in reserve are best positioned to secure a Go Greek Yogurt franchise loan and open with confidence.
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.
