How to Finance a MOOYAH Franchise: Fees, Build-Out and SBA
By Chris Cornella
A MOOYAH franchise loan funds a fast-casual burger restaurant built around fresh beef, hand-cut fries, real ice cream shakes and buns baked in the restaurant every day. That means a full kitchen, a leased space to build out and the working capital to carry a new crew until sales settle in.
Below we explain what MOOYAH reports a new restaurant costs under its 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), how its royalty and marketing fees shape a loan request, what the franchisor expects from new owners, and how SBA 7(a), SBA 504, conventional and equipment financing fit new restaurants, resales and multi-unit agreements.
US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes; the name is used only to describe the business. Figures from the franchisor’s disclosure document and website can change, loan programs and terms vary by lender and borrower, and every loan is subject to approval. Nothing here is legal, tax or investment advice. Review the current FDD and franchise agreement with a qualified franchise attorney and accountant before you sign or borrow.
MOOYAH Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Initial franchise fee: $30,000 per location, due when the franchise agreement is signed, according to the franchisor’s investment page based on the 2026 FDD.
- Total initial investment: $452,050 to $990,600.
- Royalty: 5.75% of gross sales.
- Marketing fee: 2.75% of gross sales.
- Franchisor requirements: $250,000 in liquidity and a $1 million net worth.
- Franchise term: 10 years.
- Franchisor financing: none; MOOYAH says it does not offer direct or indirect financing.
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed as “MOOYAH” (code S1050) with no special notes.
What Is MOOYAH?
MOOYAH was founded in Plano, Texas, in 2007 by Rich Hicks and Todd Istre, and the company still runs its corporate headquarters from Plano. Franchise owners have carried the brand across the United States, and its first restaurant outside the country opened in Dubai in 2013.
The concept. MOOYAH describes itself as a “better burger” brand. Burgers are made with fresh, never-frozen beef, fries are hand-cut and go through a 24-hour, six-step preparation that includes double frying, and shakes are made with real ice cream. Buns have been baked in each restaurant daily since 2011, sweet potato fries joined the menu in 2010, and lifestyle burgers for vegan, paleo, keto, low-calorie and gluten-free diets were added in 2019 and 2020.
The format. A MOOYAH is a fast-casual restaurant, typically in a leased retail space, with a counter, dining room and a kitchen equipped for grilling, frying, baking and shake making. Because guests customize their burgers, the line and kitchen layout matter as much as the dining room.
Why lenders view it the way they do. Lenders see a recognized concept with an established franchise system and SBA directory listing. The risks are the ones every fast-casual restaurant carries: build-out costs that vary widely by site, labor and food costs, and a ramp-up period before sales stabilize. Site selection and the borrower’s restaurant experience carry real weight in the decision.
MOOYAH Franchise Costs
Initial franchise fee. MOOYAH lists an initial franchise fee of $30,000 per location, due when the franchise agreement is signed. The franchisor says the fee covers training, plans for building out the restaurant, systems, technology and operational support. Item 5 of the FDD confirms the fee and any refund terms.
Real estate and build-out. Most restaurants open in leased space, so the biggest variable is leasehold improvements: plumbing, electrical, grease management, ventilation, flooring, walls, restrooms and the dining room. A second-generation restaurant space can lower these costs, while a raw shell can push the project toward the top of the range.
Kitchen equipment and furniture. Grills, fryers, ovens for in-house buns, shake machines, refrigeration, prep tables, smallwares, point-of-sale systems, digital menu boards, seating and signage all go into the opening budget.
Opening costs and working capital. Training travel, opening inventory, pre-opening payroll, grand opening marketing, insurance, deposits and permits come before the first sale. The FDD’s additional funds line covers the early operating period.
Total investment. MOOYAH reports a total initial investment of $452,050 to $990,600, based on its 2026 FDD. The franchisor’s public pages do not list each Item 7 line, so take the ranges from the FDD itself. A lender will want these categories broken out:
- Initial franchise fee ($30,000)
- Leasehold improvements and construction
- Architectural, engineering and permit costs
- Kitchen equipment, smallwares and shake equipment
- Furniture, fixtures, signage and menu boards
- Point-of-sale and technology systems
- Lease and utility deposits and insurance
- Opening inventory and supplies
- Training travel and grand opening marketing
- Additional funds for the initial operating period
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your MOOYAH Franchise Loan
Royalty. MOOYAH’s current royalty is 5.75% of gross sales, according to the franchisor.
Marketing. The marketing contribution is currently 2.75% of gross sales. Any local marketing requirement, technology fee or software charge will appear in Item 6 of the FDD.
Remodels and upgrades. Restaurant franchise agreements typically require owners to keep equipment and decor current. Check the FDD for any refresh or remodel obligations, since they can require new financing years after opening.
How lenders factor these costs in. Royalty and marketing come off the top of gross sales before food, labor, rent and utilities. Lenders build projections from sales, subtract cost of goods, labor, occupancy, those franchise fees and other operating expenses, and then test whether the remaining cash flow comfortably covers debt service. Projections that ignore the fees, or that assume first-year sales match a mature restaurant, get flagged quickly.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
MOOYAH’s investment page lists its financial benchmarks based on the 2026 FDD, and its franchise pages describe what else it looks for:
- Liquidity: $250,000.
- Net worth: $1 million.
- Training: the franchisor’s FAQ has described four weeks of owner and general manager training, mixing virtual classroom work with time in a certified training restaurant and on-site support up to opening.
- Experience: restaurant and multi-unit management experience strengthens an application with both the franchisor and lenders.
The approval process. MOOYAH says its multi-step approval process can take anywhere from three to nine months or more, and the build-out schedule is set by mutual agreement during approval. Its FAQ has also said that it takes about 12 months on average from award to grand opening, so financing has to account for a long pre-opening period: rent, design fees and deposits can come due well before revenue begins.
Ways to Own a MOOYAH
A new restaurant. Most owners open a new location in leased space. Lenders underwrite it as a start-up and rely on the owner’s credit, liquidity, experience and the site. Our page on restaurant start-up financing covers how these requests are structured.
Buying an existing restaurant. An operating MOOYAH comes with sales history, staff and an equipped kitchen. Lenders can underwrite actual cash flow, and the purchase price may include goodwill. Transfers require franchisor approval and the buyer typically completes training. See our guidance on buying a franchise resale.
Multi-unit agreements. MOOYAH offers multi-unit agreements that let owners exclusively develop a contiguous geographic area. Each restaurant still needs its own build-out budget and financing plan.
Financing Options for a MOOYAH Franchise
SBA 7(a) loans. Because MOOYAH is on the SBA Franchise Directory, the SBA 7(a) loan program can finance the franchise fee, leasehold improvements, equipment, opening inventory and working capital in one loan, or the purchase of an existing restaurant.
SBA 504 loans. If you buy or build the building, the SBA 504 loan program can finance owner-occupied real estate and long-lived equipment with long-term fixed-rate debt. Most MOOYAH locations are leased, so 504 financing fits mainly owners who purchase their site.
Conventional term loans. Experienced operators with strong credit, collateral or existing restaurants may use a conventional business loan for a new unit, an acquisition or a remodel.
Equipment financing. Grills, fryers, bun ovens, shake machines, refrigeration and point-of-sale systems can often be financed separately, which preserves cash for the build-out and opening. Learn more about restaurant equipment financing and leasing.
Working capital and lines of credit. New restaurants pay a full crew while traffic builds, and sales can swing with school calendars, holidays and weather. A line of credit can cover payroll and food purchases in slower weeks. See our restaurant working capital options.
Seller financing on resales. A seller may agree to carry part of the price of an existing restaurant. Any seller note must be acceptable to the senior lender, is typically subordinate to it, and SBA and other loan programs may limit how it is structured.
SBA Loans for MOOYAH Franchisees
The SBA Franchise Directory lists brands whose franchise agreements have been reviewed for SBA eligibility, so an SBA lender can focus on the borrower and the business rather than the franchise agreement. A listing does not approve any loan.
MOOYAH’s listing. MOOYAH appears on the directory under the name “MOOYAH” with code S1050 and no additional notes. In plain English, there are no brand-specific conditions for an SBA lender to work through, and the loan is reviewed under the standard rules.
Loan size. The SBA 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million, though program rules can change. A single restaurant at $452,050 to $990,600 sits well below that ceiling, and buyers developing several units can finance each restaurant as it opens.
Application tips. Use the FDD’s Item 7 table and your contractor bids as the backbone of the sources-and-uses statement, document where your equity comes from, and include a signed or proposed lease. Our SBA loan calculator gives an early estimate of payments on different loan amounts; results are estimates only, not an offer.
How Lenders Evaluate a MOOYAH Deal
Personal credit and financial history. Expect a review of personal credit, tax returns and a personal financial statement, and a personal guarantee from owners.
Net worth and liquidity. MOOYAH’s $250,000 liquidity and $1 million net worth benchmarks are the franchisor’s floor. Lenders want an equity injection plus reserves that remain after the restaurant opens.
Industry and management experience. Restaurant management experience, especially running a kitchen, managing hourly crews and controlling food and labor costs, strengthens a file. If you lack it, a strong general manager with restaurant experience helps.
Business plan and projections. A strong plan includes a site analysis, a monthly ramp-up forecast, food and labor cost assumptions, occupancy costs, the 5.75% royalty and 2.75% marketing fee, and owner compensation. Our article on how lenders read a Franchise Disclosure Document explains which FDD items matter most.
The FDD and franchise agreement. Lenders review the 10-year term, renewal rights, transfer conditions, territory protections and any remodel obligations. Check Item 19 to see what financial performance representations the current FDD includes.
Site and lease. The lease term, including renewal options, should cover the loan term. Lenders also look at rent as a share of projected sales, tenant improvement allowances and landlord consent to a collateral assignment.
Historical financials for resales. For an existing restaurant, expect to provide several years of profit and loss statements, tax returns and sales reports, plus details on the lease and equipment condition.
The Kitchen: Equipment That Shapes the Budget
MOOYAH’s menu drives its equipment list. Baking buns daily means ovens and proofing capacity, hand-cut and double-fried fries mean prep equipment and fryers, and real ice cream shakes require dedicated shake machines and freezer space, all alongside grills and refrigeration for fresh beef.
Financing equipment separately can match payments to the useful life of each item. When you buy an existing restaurant, have the kitchen inspected, because replacing a major piece of equipment soon after closing can strain the first year’s cash flow.
Multi-Unit Growth and Development Agreements
MOOYAH offers multi-unit agreements that give owners an exclusive contiguous area to develop. A development schedule commits you to opening restaurants on set dates, so plan how each unit will be financed before you sign.
Financing additional units. Once the first restaurant has a track record, lenders can underwrite its cash flow along with projections for the next unit. Some owners finance each restaurant separately as it opens; others work with a lender on a plan for the full schedule. Our article on multi-unit franchise financing explains both approaches.
Real-World Scenarios
A restaurant manager opens a first location. A longtime restaurant general manager meets MOOYAH’s liquidity and net worth requirements, signs a lease for a second-generation space and uses an SBA 7(a) loan to cover the franchise fee, build-out, equipment and working capital.
An investor buys an existing restaurant. A buyer acquires an operating MOOYAH from a relocating owner. The lender underwrites the restaurant’s sales history, the buyer keeps the general manager in place, and the seller carries a small subordinate note.
A multi-unit operator signs for an area. An owner of other restaurants signs a multi-unit agreement, finances the first location conventionally and plans SBA financing for the next units as each site is secured.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Budgeting for the low end of the investment range before getting contractor bids for your actual site
- Leaving the 5.75% royalty and 2.75% marketing fee out of projections
- Underestimating the time from signing to opening and the costs that come due before revenue
- Signing a lease shorter than the loan term
- Treating the $250,000 liquidity requirement as the full amount of cash you will need
- Committing to a development schedule without a financing plan for each unit
For more restaurant pitfalls, read the restaurant loan mistakes that cost owners the most.
Next Steps to Finance Your MOOYAH Franchise
Step 1: Confirm your finances. Make sure you meet the $250,000 liquidity and $1 million net worth requirements and still have reserves after your equity injection.
Step 2: Start the approval process. Talk with MOOYAH’s development team about markets and single-unit or multi-unit options.
Step 3: Review the FDD with advisors. Study Items 5, 6, 7, 10, 17 and 19 and the franchise agreement with a franchise attorney and accountant.
Step 4: Secure a site. Work with the franchisor on site approval and get contractor bids for the build-out.
Step 5: Build your plan. Turn Item 7 and your bids into a sources-and-uses statement and monthly projections.
Step 6: Talk with a financing specialist. Compare SBA 7(a), SBA 504, conventional and equipment financing and choose the right structure.
Step 7: Apply, close and build. Time loan closing to your lease, construction and training schedule, and protect your working capital reserve.
MOOYAH Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does a MOOYAH franchise cost?
MOOYAH reports a total initial investment of $452,050 to $990,600 based on its 2026 FDD. Site, size and build-out conditions determine where a restaurant lands in that range.
What is the MOOYAH franchise fee?
The initial franchise fee is $30,000 per location, due when the franchise agreement is signed.
What royalty and marketing fees does MOOYAH charge?
The royalty is currently 5.75% of gross sales and the marketing contribution is 2.75% of gross sales. Item 6 of the FDD lists any other ongoing fees.
How much liquid capital and net worth do I need?
MOOYAH lists $250,000 in liquidity and a $1 million net worth. Lenders typically want reserves beyond what goes into the project.
Is MOOYAH eligible for SBA loans?
Yes, an SBA-backed MOOYAH franchise loan is possible. MOOYAH is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory with code S1050 and no special notes, so qualified buyers can apply for SBA 7(a) financing subject to lender approval.
Does MOOYAH offer financing?
No. MOOYAH says it does not offer direct or indirect financing, though it notes relationships with banks that work with franchisees. Item 10 of the FDD covers financing.
Can I finance the kitchen equipment separately?
Often, yes. Equipment financing or leasing can cover grills, fryers, ovens, shake machines and point-of-sale systems, keeping cash free for the build-out.
Can I buy an existing MOOYAH restaurant?
Yes, with franchisor approval. Lenders can underwrite the restaurant’s sales history, and the deal may combine a term loan, buyer equity and possibly a seller note.
Can I open more than one MOOYAH?
Yes. MOOYAH offers multi-unit agreements that let owners develop a contiguous area. Each unit needs its own financing plan.
How long is the MOOYAH franchise agreement?
The standard term is 10 years, according to the franchisor. Lenders like to see the franchise term and lease term cover the loan term.
How long does it take to open?
MOOYAH says its approval process can take three to nine months or more, and the build-out schedule is agreed during approval. Plan financing for a pre-opening period of many months.
Does the FDD include financial performance information?
Check Item 19 of the current FDD to see what financial performance representations it includes and how they are calculated.
Final Thoughts
A MOOYAH restaurant is a full-kitchen, fast-casual build-out with an investment range that depends heavily on the site. The strongest MOOYAH franchise loan plans pair the right loan with realistic build-out bids, fees included in the projections and enough working capital to carry the restaurant from signing through its first months of service.
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.
