How to Finance a Goodcents Franchise: Sub Shop Startup Costs
By Chris Cornella
A Goodcents franchise loan funds a sub sandwich restaurant from a Kansas-born chain founded in 1989. The financing questions are the same ones every quick-service sandwich shop raises: how much of the build-out you borrow, how the equipment is paid for, how much cash you keep in reserve and whether the brand’s SBA listing works for your deal.
US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Goodcents; 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.
Goodcents Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Concept: a quick-service sub shop serving giant subs made with freshly sliced deli meats, plus toasted subs, salads and wraps.
- History: the company was founded in 1989 in the Kansas City area and changed its name from Mr. Goodcents to Goodcents Deli Fresh Subs in 2012.
- Headquarters: De Soto, Kansas, with a regional footprint centered on the Midwest.
- Fees and investment: the initial franchise fee, royalty, marketing contributions and estimated initial investment are disclosed in Items 5, 6 and 7 of the current FDD. We could not verify current figures from the franchisor’s own materials, so request the latest FDD before you build a budget.
- Net worth and liquidity: the franchisor sets its own financial requirements; ask for them in writing during the inquiry stage.
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed as “Goodcents” under code S0733, with a note limiting the franchisor’s purchase option on real estate pledged as SBA collateral (explained below).
What Is Goodcents?
Goodcents began in 1989 as Mr. Goodcents, a sub and pasta shop in the Kansas City area. In 2012, the company dropped the “Mr.” and became Goodcents Deli Fresh Subs, introducing a new logo, a refreshed interior design, drive-thru service where sites allowed, online ordering and an expanded menu with wraps and salads.
The menu. The core of the menu is a long lineup of giant subs built on deli meats and cheeses sliced to order and served on soft bread the company says is baked fresh twice daily. Toasted subs, salads and wraps round out the offering.
Leadership and the franchise system. The company identifies Joe Bisogno as its founder and CEO, and in 2024 it named a Wichita franchisee its Franchisee of the Year, showing an active franchise network. Headquarters is in De Soto, Kansas.
Restaurant formats. Goodcents shops generally sit in neighborhood retail settings, and the 2012 redesign added drive-thrus where a site allowed one.
How lenders view the brand. A sub shop needs no fryers or large hood systems, which keeps the kitchen lighter than many quick-service concepts. Lenders also like a long operating history. The flip side is a crowded sandwich category and a regional rather than national footprint, so lenders focus on your trade area, your experience and conservative projections.
Goodcents Franchise Costs
Every dollar figure in your plan should come from the current FDD and from quotes for your actual site.
Initial franchise fee. Item 5 discloses the initial franchise fee and any reduced fee for additional units or development agreements.
Real estate and build-out. Most shops lease space in neighborhood retail centers. The build-out includes the sandwich line, slicer stations, plumbing and grease management, electrical capacity for refrigeration, finishes that match the brand’s interior design, seating and signage. See restaurant build-out financing.
Equipment. Expect deli slicers, refrigerated sandwich prep tables, a walk-in cooler and freezer, bread ovens and proofers if the shop bakes in-house, toasting ovens, a beverage system, point-of-sale hardware and, for drive-thru sites, headsets and order-confirmation screens.
Opening costs and working capital. Opening inventory, training travel and payroll, grand-opening marketing, insurance, deposits and an operating reserve all come before the first full month of sales.
Total investment. Item 7 of the FDD gives the estimated initial investment as a range and states the period the additional-funds line covers. Look for line items such as:
- Initial franchise fee
- Lease deposits and rent before opening
- Leasehold improvements and construction
- Kitchen equipment, slicers and refrigeration
- Furniture, fixtures and decor
- Signage, menu boards and drive-thru equipment where applicable
- Point-of-sale system and technology
- Opening inventory, paper goods and smallwares
- Training travel and expenses
- Grand-opening marketing
- Additional funds for the initial operating period
Add up the line items yourself, confirm they match the stated total and note which restaurant format the table describes.
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Loan
Royalty. Item 6 sets the royalty, usually a percentage of gross sales. Because it comes off the top line, lenders subtract it before measuring the cash flow available for loan payments.
Marketing fund and local marketing. Expect a contribution to a system advertising fund plus a local marketing requirement.
Technology fees. Point-of-sale software, online ordering, the mobile app, loyalty and third-party delivery integrations often carry recurring charges.
Remodels and refreshes. Ask what remodel obligations the franchise agreement imposes, because a required refresh during your loan term is a future capital need.
How lenders factor these costs in. Lenders build a monthly model with royalty, marketing, rent, food cost, labor and loan payments, then test debt service coverage in slower months. Lunch-heavy sandwich shops can feel the difference between school terms and summer, so your projections should reflect your trade area.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
We could not verify Goodcents’ published net worth, liquid capital or experience requirements from the franchisor’s own materials. Ask the franchise development team for them early and compare them with your personal financial statement before you spend money on a site.
Expect an application, an FDD review, calls with existing franchisees, a headquarters visit, site approval and training.
Ways to Own a Goodcents
Opening a new shop. A new unit is underwritten on projections, so lenders lean on your liquidity, experience and site. See our franchise start-up financing options.
Buying an existing shop. A resale comes with real sales history that a lender can underwrite, but the franchisor must approve the transfer and the buyer usually completes training. Learn how we fund a franchise restaurant acquisition.
Financing Options for a Goodcents Franchise
SBA 7(a) loans. Because the brand is on the SBA Franchise Directory, an SBA 7(a) loan can cover the franchise fee, build-out, equipment, opening inventory and working capital, or the purchase of an existing shop, subject to approval.
SBA 504 loans. The 504 program finances owner-occupied real estate and long-lived fixed assets. It fits when you buy a freestanding drive-thru building or a small retail condo for your shop. Read more about SBA 504 real estate loans, and note the directory rule on purchase options below.
Conventional term loans. Experienced operators with strong credit and collateral, or owners adding a second shop, may qualify for a conventional business loan.
Equipment financing. Slicers, prep tables, walk-in refrigeration, ovens and point-of-sale hardware can often be financed or leased separately, which keeps cash free for build-out. Explore restaurant equipment financing and leasing.
Working capital and lines of credit. A sub shop needs cash for opening inventory, payroll during training, and catering orders that are invoiced before they are paid. See our restaurant working capital options.
Seller financing on resales. A selling owner may agree to carry part of the price. Seller notes are typically subordinate to the senior loan, and SBA rules may limit how they are structured, so disclose any seller note to your lender at the start.
SBA Loans for Goodcents Franchisees
The SBA Franchise Directory lists brands whose franchise documents have been reviewed for SBA eligibility.
The brand’s listing and its note. Goodcents appears under code S0733. The directory note says the franchisor may not enforce a purchase option on real estate owned by the franchisee or an affiliate of the franchisee and taken as collateral for the SBA loan. In plain English, many franchise agreements give the franchisor a right to buy a restaurant’s real estate in certain situations, such as when the agreement ends. If you or a company you control own the building and pledge it as collateral, that option cannot be used against the property, which protects the lender’s collateral. Your lender and attorney will confirm how this applies to your documents.
Program size. The SBA 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million, though program rules can change.
Application tips. Gather the FDD, a lease or letter of intent, contractor and equipment quotes, a personal financial statement, tax returns, a resume and monthly projections. Run payment scenarios with our SBA loan calculator for planning purposes.
How Lenders Evaluate a Goodcents Deal
Credit, net worth and liquidity. Lenders review credit, tax returns and a personal financial statement, and owners usually sign a personal guarantee. You also need cash for your equity injection and a reserve after closing.
Industry and management experience. Restaurant, food service or retail management experience strengthens a request. First-time owners should show who will manage shifts, labor scheduling and food cost.
Business plan and projections. Build sales from transaction counts and average ticket by daypart, then layer in catering, delivery and, where relevant, drive-thru sales. Our article on writing a franchise business plan for an SBA loan covers the format.
The FDD and franchise agreement. Lenders check Items 5, 6, 7, 10, 17 and 19, including whether the FDD includes financial performance representations.
Site and lease. Lunch traffic, parking, drive-thru stacking, lease length and rent escalations all matter.
Historical financials for a resale. Expect to provide several years of profit and loss statements, sales reports and tax returns for the shop you are buying, plus the transfer terms.
Sandwich Line and Drive-Thru Equipment
Slicers, refrigerated make lines, walk-in coolers and bread ovens carry most of a sub shop’s equipment cost, and drive-thru sites add a window, headsets and exterior menu boards. Lenders often fund these long-lived items inside an SBA 7(a) loan or through a separate lease, and a resale buyer should get an equipment list showing age and condition.
Multi-Unit Growth and Development Agreements
A second shop is underwritten on the first one’s results. Lenders look at the original unit’s cash flow, your remaining liquidity and whether a capable manager can run one location while you open the next. A development agreement sets a schedule of openings, so match the schedule to realistic financing timelines. Our article on multi-unit franchise financing explains how lenders structure growth loans.
Real-World Scenarios
A first-time owner in a home market. A former retail store manager in suburban Kansas City opens an inline shop. She uses an SBA 7(a) loan for build-out, equipment and working capital and builds catering into her projections conservatively.
A buyer acquiring a long-running shop. A buyer purchases a shop that has operated for years. The lender underwrites its sales history, the franchisor approves the transfer, and the seller carries a small subordinate note.
An owner buying a drive-thru building. An experienced operator buys a freestanding building with a drive-thru for a second shop. Real estate financing funds the property, and the directory note keeps the franchisor’s purchase option from reaching the pledged building.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Budgeting from an old FDD or someone else’s quote instead of the current Item 7 and your own site.
- Spending most of your cash on the build-out and leaving too little for working capital.
- Ignoring the royalty, marketing and technology fees when you test loan payments.
- Assuming a drive-thru site costs the same as an inline storefront.
- Signing a lease before financing is approved.
Read more in our guide to restaurant loan mistakes.
Next Steps to Finance Your Goodcents Franchise
Step 1: Request the current FDD. Focus on Items 5, 6, 7, 10, 17 and 19.
Step 2: Review it with advisors. Have a franchise attorney and an accountant review the agreement, the fees and any real estate provisions.
Step 3: Confirm your finances. Ask for the franchisor’s net worth and liquidity requirements and compare them with your personal financial statement.
Step 4: Talk to a financing specialist. Decide whether an SBA 7(a), 504 or conventional loan fits before you commit to a site.
Step 5: Secure a site and build projections. Get a letter of intent and contractor quotes, then model sales, food cost and labor month by month.
Step 6: Apply and close. Coordinate loan closing with the franchise agreement and lease signing.
Goodcents Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does a Goodcents franchise cost?
The total depends on restaurant format, site and local construction costs. Item 7 of the current FDD gives the estimated range, including the franchise fee, build-out, equipment and additional funds.
What is the Goodcents franchise fee?
Item 5 of the FDD lists the initial franchise fee and any reduced fees for additional units. We could not verify the current amount from the franchisor’s own materials.
What royalty does Goodcents charge?
Item 6 lists the royalty, marketing contributions and other recurring fees. Lenders deduct all of them before calculating debt service coverage.
How much liquid capital do I need?
The franchisor sets its own requirement, and the lender will expect an equity injection plus a reserve after closing. Ask the franchisor for its thresholds before you start site work.
Is Goodcents eligible for SBA loans?
Yes. Goodcents is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory under code S0733, so it is eligible for SBA 7(a) and 504 financing, subject to lender approval and the directory note on real estate purchase options.
Can a Goodcents franchise loan include equipment, or can I finance it separately?
Both are possible. Equipment can be part of an SBA 7(a) loan or financed through a separate equipment loan or lease.
Can I buy an existing Goodcents shop?
Yes, with franchisor approval of the transfer. Lenders underwrite a resale on its historical financials, which can make approval easier than for a new shop.
Can a first-time owner get a Goodcents franchise loan?
Yes, if the borrower has solid credit, adequate cash and a plan for experienced management. Restaurant or retail management experience helps.
Does Goodcents offer financing?
Item 10 of the FDD discloses whether the franchisor offers direct or indirect financing. Many franchisees arrange outside financing.
How long is the franchise term?
Item 17 of the FDD lists the initial term, renewal rights and transfer conditions. Align your loan term with the remaining franchise term.
Final Thoughts
A Goodcents franchise loan backs a long-running regional sub shop with a moderate equipment list and several ways in, from a new inline shop to an established resale. Get the current FDD early, budget from your own site and use the brand’s SBA listing correctly.
US Professional Funding helps franchise owners and buyers finance start-ups, acquisitions, equipment, working capital and refinancing. Learn more about our franchise financing and restaurant financing solutions.
