How to Finance a Jet’s Pizza Franchise: SBA and Real Estate Rules
By Anthony Cornella
A Jet’s Pizza franchise loan finances entry into one of the best-known names in Detroit-style pizza, a family-owned brand that has been franchising since 1998 and now counts more than 400 locations. Because Jet’s appears on the SBA Franchise Directory with two notes about leases and real estate, buyers who understand those notes, and who plan for a busy, equipment-driven pizzeria, are better prepared for the financing conversation.
This article walks through the brand’s background, how to read its disclosure document for costs and fees, what the SBA directory notes mean, and how SBA, conventional, equipment and working capital financing can fit a new or existing Jet’s.
US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Jet’s Pizza; the name is used only to describe the business. Figures from the franchisor’s website and 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 signing.
Jet’s Pizza Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Founded: 1978 in Sterling Heights, Michigan; the name became Jet’s Pizza in 1985.
- Franchising since: 1998, when the first franchised location opened.
- System size: more than 400 locations in 25 states, according to the company.
- Growth pace: the company says it averages 30 new store openings a year and seeks owner-operators for new markets.
- Signature product: Detroit-style pizza, plus hand-tossed round, thin-crust and NY-style pizzas, salads, breads and desserts.
- Fees and investment: the franchise fee, royalty, advertising contributions and estimated initial investment are disclosed in Items 5, 6 and 7 of the current FDD.
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed as “Jet’s Pizza,” with notes on the Standard Lease Rider and the franchisor’s Purchase Option on real estate.
What Is Jet’s Pizza?
Jet’s began in 1978, when founder Eugene Jetts leased a space in Sterling Heights, Michigan, that became Jetts Party Shoppe and Pizzeria. In 1985 the business dropped a “t” and became Jet’s Pizza. Eugene and his brother John opened a second store in 1986 using a conveyor oven, and cousins Jim and Jeff Galloway joined the ownership group in 1987. The family still runs the company.
The product. Jet’s is credited with helping make Detroit-style deep dish pizza a household name. The menu also includes hand-tossed round, thin-crust and NY-style pizzas, salads, breads and desserts. The company says dough is made fresh in every store daily and that it has used premium mozzarella and the family’s own sauce recipe since the beginning.
Growth through franchising. The first franchised Jet’s opened in 1998. The company now reports more than 400 locations in 25 states, averages 30 new store openings a year and seeks owner-operators to open new markets. In June 2026, it announced plans for 10 new locations in Southeast Florida, adding to 41 locations in the state.
How lenders view the brand. Lenders generally see a long operating history, a family ownership group that remains involved and a franchise system that has grown steadily for more than two decades. A pizzeria is a cash-flow business with a meaningful equipment package, so underwriting centers on the location’s projected or historical sales, the owner’s operating experience and the lease or real estate.
Jet’s Pizza Franchise Costs
Jet’s publishes its franchise fee, ongoing fees and estimated initial investment in its Franchise Disclosure Document. Use the current FDD, not outside estimates, for every figure in your loan request. Here is how each cost category typically affects financing.
Initial franchise fee (Item 5). Item 5 states the fee per store and any terms for additional stores. Fees paid at signing usually come from the buyer’s own funds before the loan closes.
Real estate and build-out. Most pizzerias lease inline or end-cap retail space. Build-out often includes ventilation and hood systems for ovens, upgraded electrical and gas service, plumbing, walk-in cooler space, counters, a customer pickup area and signage. Buying or building a freestanding site adds land and construction costs and changes the financing structure.
Equipment. Conveyor ovens are part of the Jet’s story, and the equipment package typically includes ovens, dough mixers and pans for square Detroit-style pizza, prep tables, refrigeration, a walk-in cooler, point-of-sale and online ordering technology, and smallwares.
Opening costs and working capital. Opening food inventory, pre-opening payroll for training, grand opening marketing, deposits, insurance, licenses and an additional funds reserve round out the investment.
Total investment. Item 7 lists the low and high estimate for each category and the total. Confirm that the line items add up and read the assumptions behind each. Typical categories include:
- Initial franchise fee
- Leasehold improvements and construction
- Ovens, mixers and kitchen equipment
- Walk-in cooler and refrigeration
- Furniture, fixtures and signage
- Point-of-sale and ordering technology
- Opening inventory and supplies
- Training expenses
- Rent deposits, utility deposits, insurance and licenses
- Grand opening advertising
- Additional funds for the initial operating period
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Loan
Royalty and advertising. Item 6 discloses the royalty and any advertising or marketing fund contributions, usually as a percentage of sales. Because these are paid before rent, payroll and debt service, they must appear in every month of your projections.
Technology and other fees. Item 6 also covers technology, online ordering, training, transfer and renewal fees. Some are recurring; others apply only when you sell or renew.
Remodels and upgrades. Read the franchise agreement for required remodels or equipment updates during the term, and build them into your long-range budget.
How lenders factor these costs in. Lenders calculate debt service coverage after franchise fees, food and labor costs and occupancy. Pizza sales are typically steadier across the year than many dessert or seasonal concepts, but labor and food costs can swing. A lender will want to see projections that use realistic cost percentages and leave a cushion for slower weeks.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
Jet’s says it seeks owner-operators for new markets. Item 5, Item 7 and the franchisor’s application process will set out the capital and experience it expects. Lenders, for their part, generally look for:
- Owner involvement: an owner who will be in the store or closely managing it, which fits Jet’s emphasis on owner-operators.
- Restaurant or management experience: food service, team leadership or multi-unit retail experience.
- Equity: a cash injection from personal funds, with reserves left over after closing.
- Credit and financial history: a clean personal credit record and documented income.
The approval process. Expect an inquiry, conversations with the franchise development team, receipt and review of the FDD, a background and financial review, and approval before signing the franchise agreement. Ask Jet’s for its current capital requirements and timeline, and line up financing conversations in parallel.
Ways to Own a Jet’s Pizza
A new store. Jet’s is opening new locations across many markets each year. A new store is financed as a start-up on projections, site analysis and the owner’s experience. Our page on franchise start-up financing explains how these loans work.
Buying an existing store. With more than 400 locations, existing Jet’s stores change hands. A resale lets the lender underwrite real sales history, and the buyer inherits a trained crew and customer base. Transfers require Jet’s approval under the franchise agreement. Our franchise restaurant acquisition financing page covers how we approach these purchases.
Multiple stores. Operators who want several stores can discuss development opportunities with the franchisor. See the multi-unit section below.
Financing Options for a Jet’s Pizza Franchise
SBA 7(a) loans. Because Jet’s is on the SBA Franchise Directory, the SBA 7(a) loan program is often the first option buyers explore. A 7(a) loan can cover build-out, equipment, the franchise fee, opening costs and working capital, or the purchase of an existing store.
SBA 504 loans. If you plan to buy or build the building, the SBA 504 program can finance owner-occupied real estate and long-lived equipment. Note the directory’s real estate notes, discussed below, when property is part of the deal.
Conventional term loans. Experienced operators and multi-unit owners may use conventional business loans for acquisitions, refinancing or growth.
Equipment financing. Conveyor ovens, mixers, walk-in coolers and point-of-sale systems can be financed separately, which preserves cash for build-out and reserves. Learn more about restaurant equipment financing and leasing.
Working capital and lines of credit. Pre-opening training payroll, food inventory and marketing during the first months put pressure on cash. A line of credit can smooth those needs. See our restaurant working capital options.
Seller financing on resales. A seller may carry part of the price on an existing store. Any seller note must be acceptable to the senior lender, is typically subordinate to it, and may be limited by SBA rules.
SBA Loans for Jet’s Pizza Franchisees
The SBA Franchise Directory lists franchise brands whose agreements have been reviewed for SBA eligibility. SBA lenders generally require a brand to be listed before making an SBA-guaranteed loan to its franchisees. A listing does not approve any borrower; it confirms that the franchise relationship itself does not block SBA financing.
Jet’s directory listing. Jet’s Pizza is listed under code S0902 with two notes:
- When the real estate where the franchise business is located will secure the SBA-guaranteed loan, the Standard Lease Rider may not be executed.
- The franchisor may not enforce the Purchase Option on real estate owned by the franchisee or an affiliate of the franchisee when that real estate is taken as collateral for the SBA loan.
What the notes mean in plain English. Jet’s franchise documents include a lease rider, which typically gives the franchisor certain rights in the store’s lease, and a purchase option, which gives the franchisor the right in certain circumstances to buy the store’s real estate. Those rights could compete with an SBA lender’s collateral. So when the franchisee or its affiliate owns the property and pledges it to secure the SBA loan, the lease rider is not used and Jet’s cannot enforce its purchase option on that property. If you lease your space, the notes have little practical effect, but your attorney and lender should confirm how the documents are handled at closing.
Program limits. The SBA 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million, although program rules can change.
Application tips. Show a clear equity source, document your food service experience, and present projections built from the FDD and your site. Read about SBA loans for restaurants, and use the SBA loan calculator for early payment estimates for planning only.
How Lenders Evaluate a Jet’s Pizza Deal
Personal credit and financial history. Expect a review of credit, personal tax returns and a personal financial statement, plus personal guarantees from significant owners.
Net worth and liquidity. Lenders want to see the equity injection come from verified funds and reserves remaining after closing.
Industry and management experience. Pizza or other quick-service experience is a strong plus. Lenders also like to see a plan for managing a crew across lunch, dinner and late-night shifts.
Business plan and projections. Projections should reflect the Item 6 fees, realistic food and labor costs, occupancy and a ramp-up period for a new store. If the FDD includes Item 19 information, use it as one reference point, not a promise.
The FDD and franchise agreement. Lenders check the term, renewal, transfer and termination provisions, and they will look specifically at the lease rider and purchase option. Read how lenders review a Franchise Disclosure Document.
Site, lease or real estate. Visibility, parking, access for pickup and a lease term that covers the loan matter. If you own the real estate, expect an appraisal and environmental review.
Historical financials for a resale. On an existing store, lenders reconcile several years of sales reports and profit and loss statements with tax returns.
Equipment and Kitchen Build-Out
A Jet’s kitchen is built around fresh dough and consistent baking. The company’s own history highlights the conveyor oven it adopted in 1986, and each store makes dough daily, so ovens, mixers, refrigeration and prep stations are essential. Hood and ventilation systems, fire suppression and gas service are often among the most expensive parts of a build-out.
For financing, this creates two opportunities. Equipment can serve as collateral for an SBA or conventional loan, or it can be financed separately. Owners should also plan for replacement over time, since an oven failure on a Friday night can be costly. Taking over a second-generation restaurant space can reduce build-out costs.
Multi-Unit Growth and Development
Jet’s says it averages 30 new store openings a year, and operators can grow by adding stores in their market. A second store is often easier to finance than the first because the lender can underwrite the first store’s results. Lenders will consolidate cash flow, assess management depth and expect a capital plan for each opening. Read more about multi-unit franchise financing.
If you sign a development agreement, compare the opening schedule with your capital plan. Each store needs its own equity and funding, and missed deadlines can affect your development rights.
Real-World Scenarios
A pizza manager becomes an owner. A long-time restaurant manager with savings and strong references opens a new Jet’s in a growing suburb, using an SBA 7(a) loan for build-out, equipment and working capital.
A buyer acquiring an established store. A buyer purchases an existing Jet’s from a retiring franchisee. The lender underwrites the store’s history, the seller carries a small subordinated note and Jet’s approves the transfer.
An operator who buys the building. An owner buys a freestanding building for a new store with an SBA 504 loan. Because the real estate secures the loan, the Standard Lease Rider is not executed and Jet’s purchase option cannot be enforced on that property.
A multi-unit owner upgrading equipment. An owner of several stores finances new ovens and walk-in coolers through equipment financing rather than tapping reserves.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using fee or investment figures from anywhere other than the current FDD
- Underestimating hood, ventilation and gas service costs
- Leaving too little working capital for the first months
- Ignoring the lease rider and purchase option when real estate is involved
- Signing a lease shorter than the loan term
- Expanding to a second store before the first is stable
For more pitfalls in food service lending, read the restaurant loan mistakes that cost owners the most.
Next Steps to Finance Your Jet’s Pizza Franchise
Step 1: Contact Jet’s and request the FDD. Confirm current capital requirements and which markets are open.
Step 2: Review the FDD with advisors. Study Items 5, 6, 7, 10, 17 and 19, the franchise agreement, the lease rider and the purchase option with a franchise attorney and accountant.
Step 3: Talk with a financing specialist early. Learn how much you can borrow and how much equity you will need.
Step 4: Build your business plan. Prepare monthly projections tied to the Item 7 categories and the Item 6 fees.
Step 5: Secure your site. Negotiate a lease, or a purchase contract if you will own the property, with your lender’s requirements in mind.
Step 6: Apply for your Jet’s Pizza franchise loan. Submit your personal financial statement, tax returns, resume, business plan, lease or purchase contract and franchise documents.
Step 7: Close, build and open. Coordinate closing with construction, equipment installation and training.
Jet’s Pizza Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does it cost to open a Jet’s Pizza franchise?
Jet’s discloses its estimated initial investment in Item 7 of its current FDD. Use that table for your loan request, since costs vary by site, size and build-out.
What is the Jet’s Pizza franchise fee and royalty?
The franchise fee appears in Item 5 and the royalty and advertising contributions in Item 6 of the current FDD.
Can I get an SBA loan for a Jet’s Pizza franchise?
Yes, eligible borrowers can apply. Jet’s is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory, with notes about the lease rider and the purchase option when real estate secures the loan.
What does the Purchase Option note mean for my loan?
If you or an affiliate own the store’s real estate and pledge it as collateral for an SBA loan, Jet’s may not enforce its purchase option on that property.
Can I finance equipment separately?
Often, yes. Ovens, mixers, refrigeration and point-of-sale systems can be financed separately from the main loan.
Can I buy an existing Jet’s Pizza?
Yes, when a store is for sale and Jet’s approves the transfer. Lenders underwrite the store’s actual history.
Can a first-time owner get a Jet’s Pizza franchise loan?
Yes, if Jet’s approves the candidate and the borrower meets the lender’s requirements. Restaurant management experience and a solid equity contribution help.
Can I own multiple Jet’s locations?
Yes. Jet’s is growing steadily, and lenders can finance additional stores once the first has a track record.
Does Jet’s offer financing?
Item 10 of the FDD discloses any financing the franchisor offers. Many buyers arrange their own SBA or conventional financing.
How long is the franchise term?
The term and renewal conditions appear in Item 17 of the FDD and in the franchise agreement. Lenders prefer a remaining term that covers the loan.
Does the FDD include financial performance information?
Check Item 19 of the current FDD to see whether Jet’s includes financial performance representations, and rely on actual financial statements when buying an existing store.
Final Thoughts
A Jet’s Pizza franchise loan benefits from a long-established brand, a steady growth record and an SBA directory listing. Buyers who take every number from the current FDD, understand the lease rider and purchase option, and plan carefully for equipment and working capital give themselves the best chance at a smooth closing.
US Professional Funding helps franchise buyers and owners finance start-ups, acquisitions, equipment, working capital and refinancing. Learn more about our franchise financing and restaurant financing solutions.
