How to Finance an iTAN Sun Spray Spa Franchise: Sun, Spray, Spa
By Anthony Cornella
An iTAN Sun Spray Spa franchise loan pays for a Southern California-born salon that bundles three service lines under one roof: UV tanning, spray tanning and self-serve spa treatments. Because each salon is a leased suite filled with beds, booths and spa units, the financing conversation centers on build-out, equipment and the cash needed to carry the salon while its membership base grows.
Below we cover how the concept works, what to pull from the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), how the brand’s SBA Franchise Directory listing helps and how buyers usually structure funding.
US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by iTAN Sun Spray Spa; the name is used only to describe the business. Figures in a franchisor’s disclosure document can change from year to year, loan programs and terms vary by lender and borrower, and every loan is subject to lender review and approval. Nothing here is legal, tax or investment advice; review the current disclosure document and franchise agreement with a qualified franchise attorney and accountant.
iTAN Sun Spray Spa Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Concept: franchised tanning and spa salons organized around three menus: sun, spray and spa.
- Footprint: in a 2014 announcement, the company reported 30 locations across San Diego County, the Inland Empire and Orange County.
- Revenue model: iCLUB memberships plus single sessions, service upgrades and retail skincare products.
- Typical site: a leased suite in a neighborhood shopping center, divided into private service rooms.
- Fees and total investment: disclosed in Items 5, 6 and 7 of the current FDD. We could not verify current figures from the franchisor’s own materials, so budget from the latest FDD you receive.
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed as ITAN Sun Spray Spa under code S2017, with no additional notes.
- Typical financing mix: an SBA 7(a) or conventional term loan, equipment financing for beds and booths, and a working capital reserve.
What Is iTAN Sun Spray Spa?
iTAN is a San Diego-area salon brand that grew from a UV tanning concept into a combined tanning and spa format. The company describes its locations as franchised tanning and spa salons, and its leadership has spoken publicly about supporting its franchisees.
The three service lines. The sun menu covers lie-down beds at several performance levels and stand-up booths. The spray menu offers automated spray-tan booths for a sunless option. The spa menu adds self-serve treatments such as light-based facials, infrared body wraps, hydration services and teeth whitening. Industry-certified consultants help guests choose sessions.
Membership and retail. The iCLUB membership anchors revenue, supported by single visits, upgrades and skincare sales.
Why lenders view it the way they do. Recurring dues can steady revenue once a salon matures, and regional density helps name recognition. But tanning is seasonal and equipment-dependent, and beds and booths lose value over time. Lenders will focus on the operator’s liquidity, the lease, the equipment plan and a realistic membership ramp-up.
iTAN Sun Spray Spa Franchise Costs
We could not verify the current fee schedule, so the FDD you receive is your budget’s foundation. Item 5 sets out the initial franchise fee, Item 6 the recurring fees and Item 7 the estimated initial investment, with low and high ranges for each category.
Initial franchise fee. The fee grants the right to open a salon under the brand at an approved site and usually covers initial training. Ask whether a protected area comes with it.
Lease and build-out. Most salons occupy leased retail space, and construction is the biggest variable in the budget. Separate rooms need framing, doors and finishes; high-draw beds require upgraded electrical service; spray booths and heat-producing equipment need ventilation and HVAC capacity; and spray areas may need plumbing and drainage.
Equipment and fixtures. Plan for lie-down beds at several service levels, stand-up booths, spray-tan booths and spa units for facials, body wraps and teeth whitening. Add front-desk technology, furniture and signage.
Opening costs and working capital. Opening product inventory, grand-opening marketing, insurance, permits, deposits, training travel and early payroll all belong in the start-up budget, along with the additional funds Item 7 lists for the first months.
Total investment. Build your loan request directly from the Item 7 table so every line ties to the disclosed total:
- Initial franchise fee
- Security deposits and pre-opening rent
- Leasehold improvements, electrical upgrades and ventilation
- UV beds, stand-up booths and spray-tan booths
- Spa units for facials, body wraps and teeth whitening
- Furniture, retail fixtures, technology and signage
- Opening skincare and retail inventory
- Grand-opening marketing, insurance, permits and training travel
- Additional funds for the initial operating period
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Loan
Recurring franchise fees. Salon franchisors typically collect a royalty on gross sales, a contribution to a brand or advertising fund and fees for point-of-sale or membership software. Item 6 lists every recurring fee, the formula behind it and its due date.
Equipment upgrade obligations. Check the franchise agreement for any requirement to replace beds or booths, add new services or refresh the salon during the term. Future upgrades should appear in your long-range cash-flow plan, not just your opening budget.
How lenders factor these costs in. Lenders subtract franchise fees, rent, payroll, lamps and utilities from projected revenue, then compare what remains with loan payments. Fees tied to sales flex with revenue, but rent, equipment payments and software do not, so the first year and the slower months get the closest look.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
We could not verify iTAN’s current net worth, liquid capital or experience requirements from the franchisor’s own materials. Ask for them in writing. Salon franchisors commonly look for liquid funds that cover the equity injection and a cash reserve, a net worth that supports a personal guarantee, and experience in retail, sales, beauty or team management.
The approval process. Expect introductory calls, delivery of the FDD, conversations with existing franchisees, a meeting with the leadership team and a final approval. Your lender will need the signed franchise agreement or an approval letter, and the franchisor typically approves the site before the lease is signed.
Ways to Own an iTAN Salon
Opening a new salon. With no operating history to point to, a start-up loan rests on your projections, experience, liquidity and lease. Our page on franchise start-up loans explains the usual structure.
Buying an existing salon. A resale may come with equipment, an active iCLUB member base, trained staff and a lease, subject to franchisor approval and a transfer fee. Our article on buying an existing franchise walks through the process, and our guide to franchise valuation explains how a fair price is set.
Financing Options for an iTAN Sun Spray Spa Franchise
SBA 7(a) loans. The brand’s SBA Franchise Directory listing makes an SBA 7(a) loan a natural starting point. A single loan can cover the franchise fee, build-out, equipment, opening inventory and working capital.
SBA 504 loans. The SBA 504 loan program is designed for owner-occupied real estate and long-lived fixed assets. Most salons lease, so 504 financing fits mainly an owner who buys a small commercial building or retail condominium for the salon.
Conventional term loans. Experienced operators with strong credit and collateral, or buyers of a mature salon with solid records, may qualify for a conventional bank-style loan.
Equipment financing. Beds, booths and spa units can be financed or leased on their own, with the equipment as collateral. See our page on franchise equipment loans and leases.
Working capital and lines of credit. Tanning demand usually builds before spring and summer and around proms, weddings and holidays, then softens in other months. Working capital for franchise owners or a revolving line of credit can carry rent, payroll and marketing through the quieter stretches.
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 or lender policies may limit their terms.
SBA Loans for iTAN Sun Spray Spa Franchisees
An SBA Franchise Directory listing signals that a brand’s franchise documents have been reviewed for SBA eligibility. It does not approve any individual borrower; each iTAN Sun Spray Spa franchise loan is judged on its own merits. Our article on the SBA Franchise Directory explains how lenders use the listing.
The listing and code S2017. The brand appears as ITAN Sun Spray Spa under code S2017, with no additional notes. In plain terms, the directory does not attach any special addendum or condition to this brand. Share the code with your lender and confirm the listing is still current when you apply.
Loan size and application tips. The SBA 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million, although program rules can change, and a single salon will usually need much less. Our SBA loan payment calculator helps with planning. Arrive with the FDD, a business plan, personal financial statements, tax returns, the lease proposal and equipment quotes.
How Lenders Evaluate an iTAN Deal
Personal credit and financial history. Lenders review credit reports, tax returns and existing debts, and owners generally sign personal guarantees.
Net worth and liquidity. Expect questions about the source of your equity injection and the reserves you will keep after closing, since cash shortfalls during the membership ramp-up are a leading risk.
Industry and management experience. Background in salon, spa, fitness or retail management helps. If you lack it, plan to hire an experienced salon manager and show that in your plan.
Business plan and projections. Model iCLUB sign-ups and cancellations by month, average dues, single-session and upgrade revenue, product sales, lamp and maintenance costs, payroll, rent and every Item 6 fee. Show seasonality rather than a straight upward line.
The FDD and franchise agreement. Lenders read Items 5 through 7 for costs, Item 10 for any franchisor financing, Item 17 for term, renewal and transfer, and Item 19 to see whether the FDD includes financial performance representations. Learn more about reading the FDD for financing.
Site and lease. Lenders want a lease term that covers the loan, manageable first-year rent and franchisor site approval.
Historical financials for resales. Expect to provide several years of profit and loss statements, membership reports and tax returns, plus the age of each bed and booth.
Beds, Booths and Equipment Planning
Equipment is both the main draw for members and the main source of future spending. UV beds need regular lamp and acrylic replacement, spray booths need parts, and spa units can become dated as new treatments appear.
Ask which equipment and vendors are required, get warranty terms in writing and set aside a monthly reserve for lamps and repairs. When buying an existing salon, have the equipment inspected and build any near-term replacements into the purchase financing.
Multi-Unit Growth and Development Agreements
Growing within one region lets operators share staff, marketing and management. Before signing for more than one salon, check the FDD for development schedules, fees and the consequences of missing a deadline. Once your first salon has a track record, lenders can combine its cash flow with the next salon’s projections. Our article on financing multiple franchise units explains the approach.
Real-World Scenarios
A first-time owner from retail. A former store manager opens a new salon in a busy neighborhood center, hires an experienced front-desk lead and uses an SBA 7(a) loan for the fee, build-out, equipment and working capital.
A buyer taking over an established salon. An entrepreneur buys a salon with an active iCLUB base, using a term loan plus a small seller note, and budgets for replacing several older beds in the first year.
An owner adding a second salon. After a strong year, an owner leases a nearby suite and finances the new beds and spa units separately, keeping cash free for opening marketing.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Budgeting from a summary instead of the full Item 7 table
- Underestimating electrical, ventilation and plumbing costs in the build-out
- Projecting membership growth without cancellations or seasonal dips
- Signing a lease before franchisor site approval and loan terms are in place
- Forgetting a reserve for lamps, repairs and equipment upgrades
For more pitfalls, read our list of common franchise loan mistakes.
Next Steps to Finance Your iTAN Sun Spray Spa Franchise
Step 1: Request the current FDD. Review it with a franchise attorney and an accountant.
Step 2: Get the requirements in writing. Ask for net worth, liquidity and experience minimums.
Step 3: Call current owners. Ask about ramp-up, seasonality, equipment upkeep and staffing.
Step 4: Secure a site. Obtain a lease proposal and a contractor’s build-out estimate for an approved location.
Step 5: Assemble your numbers. Combine the Item 7 line items, equipment quotes and a monthly cash-flow forecast.
Step 6: Meet with a financing specialist. Compare SBA 7(a), conventional and equipment financing, and share code S2017.
Step 7: Close and open. Align closing with lease signing, construction and equipment delivery, and protect your reserve.
iTAN Sun Spray Spa Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does an iTAN Sun Spray Spa franchise cost?
Item 7 of the current FDD gives the estimated initial investment. We could not verify current figures, so build your budget from the latest FDD.
What are the franchise fee and royalty?
The initial fee appears in Item 5 and the royalty and other recurring fees in Item 6. Ask about advertising fund and software fees too.
Can I get an iTAN Sun Spray Spa franchise loan through the SBA?
Yes. The brand is on the SBA Franchise Directory as ITAN Sun Spray Spa under code S2017, so qualified borrowers can apply for SBA loans.
Can I finance tanning beds and spray booths separately?
Yes. Equipment loans or leases can cover beds, booths and spa units, which helps preserve cash for working capital.
Can I buy an existing iTAN salon?
If one is available, yes, with franchisor approval and a transfer fee. Lenders can then review actual membership and sales history.
Can a first-time business owner get approved?
Yes, if the franchisor approves you and your finances support the loan. Hiring an experienced salon manager strengthens the request.
Does the franchisor offer financing?
Item 10 of the FDD describes any franchisor financing. Most owners use SBA, conventional or equipment loans.
How long is the franchise term?
Item 17 covers the term, renewal and transfer. Lenders prefer a remaining term that outlasts the loan.
Can I own more than one salon?
Often yes, with franchisor approval. Lenders will weigh your first salon’s results when financing the next.
Final Thoughts
An iTAN Sun Spray Spa franchise loan funds a salon that blends tanning with self-serve spa services and depends on well-kept equipment and loyal members. Buyers who budget from the current FDD, plan the build-out carefully, prepare for seasonality and keep a healthy reserve put themselves in the strongest position.
US Professional Funding helps franchise owners and buyers finance start-ups, acquisitions, equipment, working capital and expansion. Explore our franchise financing solutions to plan your salon.
