How to Finance a Gouldsburger’s Franchise: Prime Beef Burgers
By Anthony Cornella
A Gouldsburger’s franchise loan finances a young fast-casual burger and cheesesteak restaurant brand that is growing across South Jersey and the Philadelphia area. The concept is built around USDA Prime beef, house-made sides and an allergen-friendly kitchen with dedicated gluten-free fryers, which shapes both the build-out and the equipment budget.
Because Gouldsburger’s does not publish its fees or investment range on its website, financing starts with the Franchise Disclosure Document. This article explains what is known about the brand, what to look for in the FDD, its SBA Franchise Directory listing and lease note, and how lenders evaluate a new restaurant in an emerging system.
US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Gouldsburger’s; 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. Review the current Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and franchise agreement with a qualified franchise attorney and accountant before you sign or borrow.
Gouldsburger’s Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Concept: fast-casual burgers and cheesesteaks made with USDA Prime beef, plus chicken, all-natural grass-fed beef hot dogs and a house-made beet burger
- First restaurant: Haddonfield, New Jersey, in 2023
- System size: the company’s website lists 12 locations in New Jersey and Pennsylvania (2026), a mix of founder-operated and franchised restaurants
- Fees and investment: not published on the company’s website; request the current FDD and read Items 5, 6 and 7
- Net worth and liquidity requirements: not published; confirm with the franchisor
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed under code S8552, with a note about the Lease Addendum and Collateral Assignment of Lease
What Is Gouldsburger’s?
Gouldsburger’s opened its first restaurant in Haddonfield, New Jersey, in 2023 and expanded into Philadelphia and other South Jersey towns over the following two years, adding franchised restaurants along the way. The company’s website now lists locations including Haddonfield, Medford, Marlton, Bordentown, Cinnaminson, Glassboro, Sicklerville, Mt. Laurel and Del Haven in New Jersey, and Philadelphia, University City and Ardmore in Pennsylvania.
The brand’s motto is “Good Food, Done Right.” Its food philosophy page describes USDA Prime beef for burgers and cheesesteaks, all-natural chicken, all-natural grass-fed beef hot dogs, house-made onion rings and fries, and a house-made beet burger that is gluten free. The restaurants also offer catering.
An allergen-focused kitchen. Gouldsburger’s says its vegetarian mushroom cheesesteak and beet burger are cooked on a separate, dedicated griddle, and that its crispy chicken, chicken strips and sides are gluten free and fried in 100% olive oil in dedicated gluten-free fryers. That commitment is part of the brand’s identity, and it has direct cost consequences for equipment, kitchen layout and training.
Why lenders view it as an emerging brand. A young system with a short operating history gives lenders less data than an established chain. They will lean more heavily on the FDD, the operator’s restaurant experience, the specific site and the borrower’s liquidity.
Gouldsburger’s Franchise Costs
The company’s website does not list a franchise fee, royalty or investment range; it directs prospective franchisees to contact the franchise team. Every figure you finance should come from the current FDD.
Initial franchise fee. Item 5 discloses the fee, when it is due and whether it is refundable. Ask whether there is a different fee for a second restaurant or a development agreement.
Real estate and build-out. Most fast-casual restaurants open in leased inline or end-cap space. Build-out typically includes plumbing, electrical, a hood and fire-suppression system, walk-in cooler, finishes, seating and signage. Landlord tenant improvement allowances can reduce the amount to finance. Our article on restaurant build-out financing explains how lenders handle construction draws.
Equipment. Expect a flat-top griddle line, with a separate griddle for vegetarian items, multiple fryers including dedicated gluten-free fryers, refrigeration, prep tables, smallwares and point-of-sale technology.
Opening costs and working capital. Opening inventory of beef, bread and produce, hiring and training payroll before opening, grand-opening marketing, deposits, licenses and insurance all belong in the budget, along with additional funds for the first months.
Total investment. Read the Item 7 table for the full range and its assumptions. Confirm these categories and their ranges:
- Initial franchise fee
- Leasehold improvements and construction
- Kitchen equipment, including griddles and fryers
- Furniture, fixtures and signage
- Technology and point-of-sale systems
- Opening inventory and supplies
- Training expenses
- Rent and security deposits, utility deposits, licenses and permits
- Grand-opening marketing
- Additional funds for the initial operating period
Build your loan request so each line matches Item 7 and your contractor and equipment quotes.
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Loan
Royalty and brand fund. Item 6 of the FDD lists the royalty, any brand or marketing fund contribution and any local advertising requirement. Royalties and marketing fees are usually a percentage of sales, so they come off the top before rent, payroll and debt service.
Technology and other fees. Look for software fees, transfer and renewal fees, and any remodel obligations.
Food costs. Prime beef, all-natural proteins and olive oil frying are premium inputs. Projections should reflect the brand’s actual food cost and any required suppliers disclosed in Item 8.
How lenders factor these costs in. Lenders build a monthly projection from sales, subtract food, labor, occupancy, royalty and marketing, and test whether the remaining cash flow covers the loan payment with a margin. In an emerging brand, conservative sales assumptions carry more weight.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
Gouldsburger’s does not publish net worth, liquidity or experience requirements on its website. Ask the franchise team directly and look for any requirements in the FDD and franchise agreement.
The approval process. Expect introductory conversations, receipt of the FDD, meetings with the founders, site discussions and final approval. Start your Gouldsburger’s franchise loan conversation before you sign so you know what you can borrow.
Ways to Own a Gouldsburger’s
A new restaurant. Most franchise opportunities in a young system are new units. Financing covers the franchise fee, build-out, equipment and working capital and is underwritten on projections.
Buying an existing restaurant. As the system matures, some franchised or founder-operated locations may change hands. A resale gives lenders actual sales history to underwrite. See our overview of franchise restaurant acquisition financing.
Multiple restaurants. Operators who want several units should ask whether the franchisor offers development agreements and what schedule they require.
Financing Options for a Gouldsburger’s Franchise
SBA 7(a) loans. Because Gouldsburger’s is on the SBA Franchise Directory, an SBA 7(a) loan can finance the franchise fee, build-out, equipment and working capital together, or the purchase of an existing restaurant.
SBA 504 loans. If you buy the building, an SBA 504 loan can finance owner-occupied real estate and long-lived equipment. Most fast-casual operators lease, so 504 fits only when real estate is part of the deal.
Conventional term loans. A conventional business loan may suit experienced operators with strong liquidity and collateral.
Equipment financing. Griddles, dedicated gluten-free fryers, refrigeration, hoods and point-of-sale systems can often be financed separately. Learn more about restaurant equipment financing and leasing.
Working capital and lines of credit. A new restaurant needs cash for pre-opening payroll, inventory and the early months while sales build. A Shore-area or seasonal location may also need a reserve for slower months. See our restaurant working capital options.
Seller financing on resales. A seller may carry part of the price of an existing restaurant. Any seller note is typically subordinate to the senior loan, and SBA rules and lender policies may limit it.
Franchisor financing. The company’s website does not mention franchisor financing. Item 10 of the FDD discloses whether any is offered.
SBA Loans for Gouldsburger’s Franchisees
SBA lenders generally require a brand to be listed on the SBA Franchise Directory before making an SBA-guaranteed loan to its franchisees. A listing clears the franchise relationship for SBA review; it does not approve any borrower.
Gouldsburger’s is listed. The directory shows the brand under code S8552 with this note: when the real estate where the franchise business is located will secure the SBA-guaranteed loan, the Lease Addendum and Collateral Assignment of Lease may not be executed.
What the note means. In a typical leased location, the franchisor may use a lease addendum and a collateral assignment of lease to protect its ability to step into the lease. The note tells lenders that when the borrower owns the real estate and pledges it as collateral for the SBA loan, those lease documents should not be signed, because there is no third-party lease to assign. For a borrower, it mainly matters if you buy your building; in a standard leased site, the lender will review the lease documents as part of closing.
Program limits. The SBA 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million, and program rules can change.
SBA application tips. Bring the FDD, the franchise agreement, a signed letter of intent or lease, contractor and equipment quotes, a restaurant résumé and monthly projections. Our SBA loan calculator provides planning estimates only, not an offer or approval.
How Lenders Evaluate a Gouldsburger’s Deal
Personal credit and financial history. Expect a review of credit, tax returns and a personal financial statement, and a personal guarantee.
Net worth and liquidity. Lenders look for an equity injection plus reserves left over to carry the restaurant through its opening months.
Industry and management experience. Restaurant management experience is often the deciding factor for an emerging brand, especially experience with food safety and allergen procedures.
Business plan and projections. Base sales assumptions on the site’s traffic, lunch and dinner trade, catering and delivery, and model premium food costs. Our article on financing an emerging franchise explains how lenders treat newer systems.
The FDD and franchise agreement. Lenders review the term, renewal, transfer rights, territory, Item 19 and the franchisor’s financial statements in Item 21. Our guide to reading an FDD for financing covers what matters most.
Site and lease. Lenders want a lease term that at least matches the loan, reasonable rent relative to projected sales and landlord consent to the lender’s lien on equipment.
Historical financials for resales. For an existing restaurant, expect to provide several years of profit and loss statements, sales reports and tax returns.
Kitchen Equipment and Allergen Controls
The brand’s allergen commitments go beyond the menu. Separate griddle space for vegetarian items and dedicated gluten-free fryers mean more equipment, more hood length and more careful kitchen design than a standard burger line. Olive oil frying affects oil cost and filtration routines.
For financing, get detailed equipment quotes early, confirm the approved equipment list and make sure the build-out budget covers ventilation for the full fryer and griddle line.
Multi-Unit Growth and Development Agreements
Gouldsburger’s has grown through a cluster of locations in South Jersey and the Philadelphia area. Ask whether the franchisor offers multi-unit development agreements, what the development schedule requires and how fees are handled for additional restaurants.
Financing additional units. Lenders usually want to see the first restaurant’s results before financing a second. Each new unit is typically financed on its own projections plus the operator’s existing cash flow. Our article on multi-unit franchise financing explains the approach.
Real-World Scenarios
An experienced restaurant manager opening a first unit. A general manager from a casual dining chain signs for a suburban location, finances the build-out, equipment and working capital with an SBA 7(a) loan and keeps a personal reserve.
An owner buying the building. A franchisee finds a freestanding building for sale and uses an SBA 504 loan for the real estate. Under the directory note, the lease addendum and collateral assignment of lease are not executed because the owner pledges the building itself.
A franchisee adding a second restaurant. After a strong first year, an operator finances a second location nearby with a conventional loan based on combined cash flow.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Signing a lease before you know what you can borrow
- Underestimating equipment for separate griddles and dedicated gluten-free fryers
- Using optimistic sales assumptions for a brand with a short history
- Ignoring premium food costs in projections
- Leaving too little working capital for the opening ramp
- Skipping a careful review of Items 5, 6, 7 and 19 because figures are not published online
For more pitfalls, read common restaurant loan mistakes.
Next Steps to Finance Your Gouldsburger’s Franchise
Step 1: Contact the franchise team. Request the current FDD and ask about requirements and available markets.
Step 2: Review the FDD with advisors. Study Items 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 17, 19 and 21 with a franchise attorney and accountant.
Step 3: Talk to existing franchisees. Ask about build-out costs, opening timelines and early sales.
Step 4: Speak with a financing specialist. Learn what you can borrow before committing to a site.
Step 5: Secure a site and quotes. Get a letter of intent, contractor bids and equipment quotes.
Step 6: Apply and close. Submit your loan package and coordinate closing with lease signing and construction.
Gouldsburger’s Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does a Gouldsburger’s franchise cost?
The company does not publish an investment range on its website. Item 7 of the current FDD shows the estimated initial investment.
What is the Gouldsburger’s franchise fee?
The fee is disclosed in Item 5 of the FDD rather than on the company’s website.
What royalty does Gouldsburger’s charge?
Item 6 of the FDD lists the royalty and marketing fees.
Can a Gouldsburger’s franchise loan be SBA-backed?
Yes, the brand is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory under code S8552. Borrowers still need to qualify on credit, equity and experience.
What does the SBA directory note mean?
If your own real estate secures the SBA loan, the franchisor’s Lease Addendum and Collateral Assignment of Lease are not executed. It matters mostly if you buy your building.
Can a first-time owner get a Gouldsburger’s franchise loan?
It is possible, but lenders weigh restaurant management experience heavily in an emerging brand. Strong liquidity and an experienced general manager help.
Does Gouldsburger’s offer financing?
Its website does not mention franchisor financing. Item 10 of the FDD discloses whether any is available.
Can I open more than one Gouldsburger’s?
Ask the franchisor about development agreements. Lenders usually want results from the first restaurant before financing more.
Does the FDD include financial performance information?
Check Item 19 of the current FDD to see whether it includes financial performance representations.
Final Thoughts
Gouldsburger’s offers a premium burger and cheesesteak concept with a strong allergen-friendly identity and a growing regional footprint. Because the brand is young and does not publish its figures, a Gouldsburger’s franchise loan depends on careful FDD review, realistic projections, solid equipment quotes and a borrower with real restaurant experience.
US Professional Funding helps franchise owners and buyers finance start-ups, acquisitions, equipment and working capital. Learn more about our franchise financing programs and our restaurant financing solutions.
