How to Finance a Holy Burger Franchise: Build-Out and SBA
By Marc Cornella
A Holy Burger franchise loan typically has to cover the same big pieces as any fast-casual burger restaurant: a lease and build-out, a commercial kitchen, technology, opening inventory and enough working capital to reach steady sales. What sets this New York-rooted brand apart is a menu with gluten-free and vegan options, a halal certification designation and multiple dayparts, all of which shape the kitchen, the supply chain and the projections a lender will review.
This article explains what Holy Burger is, how to budget for a unit, the fees to ask about, how SBA and conventional financing may fit, and what lenders look for. It is general information only. US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Holy Burger; the name is used only to describe the business. Figures in 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.
Holy Burger Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Concept: burger restaurant with premium meats, affordable price points and a signature gluten-free and vegan option menu
- Dayparts: the franchise page lists breakfast, lunch, afternoon, dinner and a late-night menu
- Formats: multiple footprints, according to the franchise page
- Halal: the company’s site displays a certified halal establishment designation
- Support: the franchise page highlights restaurant technology and a team of marketers and media experts
- Franchise fee, royalty, total investment and net worth requirements: not published on the franchise page; confirm them in the current disclosure document
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed as Holy Burger (code S8863), with a note about the lease rider
Because the franchisor does not publish fees or an investment range on its franchise page, this article does not quote them. Request the current disclosure document through the franchise inquiry form before you build a loan request.
What Is Holy Burger?
Holy Burger is a burger brand with New York roots that has expanded into other states through franchising. Its menu is built around burgers and chicken sandwiches made with premium meats, alongside fries and milkshakes, and it added a signature gluten-free and vegan option menu in 2021.
The franchise page emphasizes flexibility: multiple footprints to fit a community and location, all-day dayparts from breakfast through late night, technology to drive revenue and streamline operations, and marketing support. The company’s site also carries a certified halal establishment designation, which matters for sourcing because approved meat must come through compliant suppliers.
Why the concept matters to a lender. A lender sees a fast-casual restaurant with a smaller, younger system than the largest national burger chains. That means more weight on the borrower’s experience and liquidity, the specific site and the build-out budget. Our article on financing an emerging franchise explains how lenders approach newer systems.
Holy Burger Franchise Costs
The Item 7 table in the disclosure document is the only reliable source for the investment range, and it may show different ranges for different footprints. Use these categories to organize your budget.
Initial franchise fee
Item 5 states the initial franchise fee, what it covers and when it is due. Ask whether multi-unit or area development agreements reduce the per-unit fee.
Lease and build-out
For most burger restaurants, the build-out is the largest line: walls, plumbing, electrical, hood and ventilation, grease management, restrooms, finishes and signage. A second-generation restaurant space can lower costs, while a raw shell typically costs more. Read our guide to restaurant build-out financing for how lenders fund construction.
Kitchen equipment and technology
Expect a flat-top grill, fryers, refrigeration and freezers, a milkshake and soft-serve machine, prep tables, a hood system and the point-of-sale and ordering technology the franchisor requires. Separate prep and storage for gluten-free and vegan items may affect layout and equipment.
Opening inventory, training and working capital
Budget for opening food and paper inventory, staff hiring and training, grand opening marketing, insurance, deposits and additional funds for the first months. Long operating hours mean a larger payroll, so make sure working capital matches the dayparts you plan to run.
Questions to ask about Item 7
- Which footprints the ranges describe, and their square footage
- Whether the build-out estimate assumes a raw shell or second-generation space
- Equipment package and required vendors
- Technology, signage and opening marketing
- Additional funds and the period they are meant to cover
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Loan
Item 6 lists the royalty, any brand fund or marketing contribution, technology fees, local advertising requirements, transfer fees and renewal fees. Ask whether fees are a percentage of gross sales or a flat amount, and whether minimums apply.
Lenders deduct every ongoing fee from projected sales, along with food, labor and occupancy costs, before calculating whether the restaurant can carry its debt. In a burger concept, food and labor costs move quickly, so build projections that hold up if either rises. A Holy Burger franchise loan sized on projections without the full fee load is likely to be too large.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
The franchise page does not publish a minimum net worth, liquid capital or experience requirement. Expect the franchisor to review your financial strength, restaurant or multi-unit management experience and your target market. Restaurant operating experience is especially valuable for a concept with long hours and multiple dayparts.
The process starts with the franchise inquiry form, followed by disclosure document review, discovery conversations, approval, site selection, the franchise agreement, training and opening. Line up financing as you review sites so the lease and loan timelines match.
Ways to Own a Holy Burger
A new restaurant. Most owners build a new unit. Lenders underwrite projections, the site and the build-out budget, and they usually want a signed or near-final lease.
Buying an existing location. A resale comes with a built-out space, equipment, staff and sales history, which lets the lender test real performance. The franchisor must approve the transfer and the landlord must consent to the lease assignment. See our article on buying a franchise resale.
Converting an existing restaurant. An operator with a closed or underperforming restaurant space may ask whether Holy Burger will allow conversion. Reusing a hood, grease trap and walk-in cooler can reduce the build-out, if the franchisor approves.
Holy Burger Franchise Loan Options
SBA 7(a) loans. An SBA 7(a) loan can fund the franchise fee, leasehold improvements, equipment, opening inventory and working capital together, subject to program rules and lender approval. The SBA 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million, and program rules can change.
SBA 504 loans. If you buy land or a building for a freestanding restaurant, SBA 504 loans are designed for owner-occupied real estate and long-lived equipment.
Conventional loans. Experienced operators with strong liquidity may use conventional business loans, especially for additional units.
Equipment financing. Grills, fryers, refrigeration, shake machines and point-of-sale systems can be financed through restaurant equipment financing and leasing. Separate equipment payments count in the debt a primary lender reviews.
Working capital and lines of credit. Pre-opening payroll, inventory and the first months of operation need cash. Our page on restaurant working capital explains the options.
Seller financing on resales. When buying an existing unit, the seller may sometimes carry part of the price. A seller note is typically subordinate to the primary loan, and SBA rules may limit its terms.
SBA Loans for Holy Burger Franchisees
SBA loans are made by participating lenders with an SBA guarantee on part of the loan. For a franchise, the lender confirms that the franchise agreement leaves the owner in control of the business, and the SBA Franchise Directory simplifies that check.
The listing. Holy Burger appears on the SBA Franchise Directory under code S8863. A listing does not approve any borrower or guarantee a loan.
What the directory note means. The listing says that when the real estate where the franchise business is located will secure the SBA-guaranteed loan, the lease rider may not be executed. In plain English, the brand’s lease rider applies to leased restaurant space. If you own the building and pledge it as collateral for the SBA loan, that rider is not used. Most fast-casual units lease, so the rider will usually apply; raise it with your lender early.
Application tips. Have the franchise agreement, disclosure document, lease or letter of intent, contractor bids, equipment quotes, a sources and uses statement, financial statements, tax returns and résumés ready.
How Lenders Evaluate a Holy Burger Deal
Personal credit and financial history. Lenders review each owner’s credit, debts and tax returns, and significant owners usually sign personal guarantees.
Net worth and liquidity. Restaurants need cash reserves for cost overruns and a slow start, so lenders want to see liquidity left after your injection.
Restaurant experience. Prior restaurant ownership or management is one of the strongest factors. Owners without it may hire an experienced general manager.
Business plan and projections. Build sales assumptions by daypart, and include food and paper costs, labor for long hours, rent, every franchise fee and the cost of compliant halal sourcing. Our SBA loan calculator can help with early payment estimates for planning only.
The disclosure document and franchise agreement. Lenders review the term, renewal, territory and transfer rules. Our article on using the FDD for financing shows what matters most.
The site and lease. Lenders look at visibility, traffic, parking, co-tenants, lease length and renewal options, and they generally want the lease term to cover the loan.
Historical financials on resales. For an existing unit, expect to provide sales reports, profit and loss statements and the seller’s tax returns.
The Kitchen and the Menu
A burger kitchen is equipment-heavy, and Holy Burger’s menu adds two planning points. Gluten-free and vegan options may call for separate prep areas, utensils and storage to manage cross-contact. Halal certification requires approved suppliers and handling procedures. Both affect layout, equipment and food cost, so make sure the build-out plan and projections reflect them.
Multi-Unit Growth and Development Agreements
Owners who want several restaurants may sign a development agreement with an opening schedule. Lenders finance growth one unit at a time, looking at the performance of open units, remaining liquidity and management depth. Missing a development schedule can put territory rights at risk, so match the schedule to realistic financing. Our article on multi-unit franchise financing explains how lenders evaluate expansion.
Real-World Scenarios
An experienced restaurant manager. A longtime fast-casual manager finds a second-generation space with an existing hood and uses an SBA 7(a) loan for the franchise fee, remodel, equipment and working capital.
A multi-unit operator adding a brand. An owner of other restaurants uses conventional financing for a first Holy Burger and plans additional units under a development agreement.
A first-time owner with a strong manager. A buyer with capital but no restaurant background hires an experienced general manager and presents that plan with the loan request.
A resale buyer. A buyer purchases an open unit; the lender reviews its sales history, and the landlord consents to the lease assignment.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Signing a lease before financing and franchisor site approval are lined up
- Underestimating build-out costs on a raw shell
- Projecting every daypart at full strength from day one
- Leaving franchise fees, halal sourcing or allergen controls out of the budget
- Opening with too little working capital for a long-hours concept
For more, read the restaurant loan mistakes owners should avoid.
Next Steps to Finance Your Holy Burger Franchise
Step 1: Request the disclosure document. Review Items 5, 6, 7, 10, 17 and 19 with a franchise attorney.
Step 2: Choose your footprint and market. Ask which formats fit your trade area.
Step 3: Find a site. Get a letter of intent and contractor bids.
Step 4: Build your budget and projections. Include every Item 7 line and all fees.
Step 5: Talk with a financing specialist. Compare SBA 7(a), 504, conventional and equipment financing.
Step 6: Apply and coordinate approvals. Align franchisor approval, the lease and loan closing.
Holy Burger Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does a Holy Burger franchise cost?
The investment range appears in Item 7 of the disclosure document and may vary by footprint. The franchise page does not publish it.
What is the Holy Burger franchise fee and royalty?
Items 5 and 6 of the current disclosure document state the initial fee, royalty and other ongoing fees.
How much liquid capital do I need?
The franchise page does not publish a requirement. Lenders will expect a cash injection plus reserves for the opening period.
Can I get an SBA loan for a Holy Burger?
The brand is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory under code S8863, which simplifies the eligibility review. Approval depends on the borrower, the site and the lender.
Can I finance kitchen equipment separately?
Often, yes, through equipment loans or leases, or within an SBA 7(a) loan.
Do I need restaurant experience?
It strongly helps. Owners without it often hire an experienced general manager.
Can I buy an existing Holy Burger?
Yes, if one is for sale and the franchisor and landlord approve the transfer.
Does the franchisor offer financing?
Item 10 of the disclosure document states whether any financing is offered.
How long is the franchise agreement?
The term and renewal rights appear in Item 17. Lenders generally want the franchise and lease terms to cover the loan.
Final Thoughts
A Holy Burger franchise loan funds a fast-casual restaurant with a distinctive menu and long operating hours. Get the current disclosure document, choose the right footprint and site, and build a budget that accounts for the kitchen, compliant sourcing and enough working capital to reach steady sales.
US Professional Funding helps franchise owners finance new restaurants, resales, equipment and working capital. Learn more about our franchise financing and restaurant financing.
