How to Finance a Salvatore’s Franchise: Rochester Pizza Costs
By Chris Cornella
A Salvatore’s franchise loan finances a pizzeria from a Rochester, New York, brand that has grown from a high school project into a network of locally owned restaurants. Salvatore’s Old Fashioned Pizzeria offers several formats, from full pizzerias and pizza pubs to a compact pizza-by-the-slice kitchen, and the company publishes some of its startup costs, which gives buyers and lenders a useful starting point.
This article covers the brand’s formats, the costs Salvatore’s discloses, its owner-operator rules, the financing options that fit and what its SBA Franchise Directory notes mean, including an important point about master franchises.
US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Salvatore’s Old Fashioned Pizzeria; the name is used only to describe the business. Figures from the franchisor’s disclosure document and website can change, loan programs vary, and every loan is subject to approval. Nothing here is legal, tax or investment advice.
Salvatore’s Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Founded: 1978 in Rochester, New York, by Salvatore “SoccerSam” Fantauzzo.
- System size: the company describes itself as having 30+ locations, all locally owned.
- Equipment packages: $50,000 to $100,000, according to the company’s franchise page.
- Renovations: up to $25,000, with the company’s stated goal that the property landlord handles renovations and build-out.
- Initial franchise fee and ongoing fees: described by the company as “minimal”; exact amounts are in the FDD.
- Owner involvement: owner-operated locations with the managing partner on site 60+ hours per week.
- Training: a two-week comprehensive training program plus grand opening support.
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed under code S8578, with notes on real estate liens and a statement that the Master Franchise Addendum is not eligible for SBA loans.
What Is Salvatore’s Old Fashioned Pizzeria?
Salvatore’s began in 1978 as a home economics project at Eastridge High School in Rochester. Its founder, Salvatore “SoccerSam” Fantauzzo, built the business into a regional pizza brand, and the company today operates under the name Salvatore’s Old Fashioned Pizzeria, Since 1978, Inc. The company says it has 30+ locations and that every Salvatore’s is locally owned, including restaurants run by former employees who worked their way up from the front counter.
The brand is known for Rochester-style pizza along with wings, calzones, salads and desserts, sold through pickup, dine-in, delivery, online ordering and catering.
Formats. The company’s franchise page lists several concepts:
- Salvatore’s Pizzeria: dine-in, take-out and delivery.
- Pizza Pubs and Saloons: dine-in with beer, wine and a full bar, and later hours.
- Salvatore’s @ Donuts Delite: a gourmet donut bakery that may also offer the full menu.
- SoccerSam’s Famous Pizza Since 1978: pizza and SuperSlices from a kitchen of about 300 square feet, aimed at high-traffic venues.
- Salvatore’s @ Pink Pizza Box: the newest concept, built for drive-through and pickup.
Why lenders view it the way they do. Pizza is a familiar, cash-generating category, and Salvatore’s has decades of history in its home market. At the same time, the system is regional and most of its operating history is in one area, so a lender will weigh the owner’s restaurant experience and the specific site heavily. The format you choose also shapes the Salvatore’s franchise loan: a bar-equipped pub and a compact slice kitchen are very different credits.
Salvatore’s Franchise Costs
Initial franchise fee. The company describes the fee as “minimal” for its main pizzeria concepts. For the SoccerSam’s format, it states that the 2026 franchise fee for one location is under $25,000. The exact amount for your format is in Item 5 of the FDD.
Real estate and build-out. Salvatore’s says renovations run up to $25,000 and that the key is for the property landlord to handle renovations and build-out. In practice that means negotiating a lease with a landlord who will deliver a ready space or fund improvements through a tenant allowance. If your landlord will not, your build-out budget and loan request will be higher. Our article on restaurant build-out financing explains how these costs are funded.
Equipment. The company lists equipment packages of $50,000 to $100,000, with the $50,000 figure applying to a SoccerSam’s outlet. For SoccerSam’s, it says setup and equipment cost under $100,000. Pizza ovens, dough mixers, refrigeration, prep tables, a hood system and point-of-sale technology make up most of the package.
Opening costs and working capital. Food inventory, smallwares, signage, deposits, insurance, grand opening marketing and cash for early payroll and rent belong in the budget.
Total investment. The company refers buyers to its 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document for the full investment breakdown. Item 7 should show these line items:
- Initial franchise fee
- Leasehold improvements and renovations
- Equipment package (ovens, mixers, refrigeration, prep and hood)
- Furniture, fixtures, signage and technology
- Opening inventory and smallwares
- Training expenses, deposits, licenses and insurance
- Additional funds for the initial operating period
Use the published equipment and renovation figures as a starting point, then build your budget from real quotes for your site.
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Loan
Salvatore’s describes its royalty, advertising and wholesale or catering fees as “minimal,” without publishing the rates. Item 6 of the FDD lists each fee, how it is calculated and when it is due.
Lenders subtract royalty and advertising from projected sales before measuring cash available for debt service, along with food costs, labor and rent. For a pizzeria, food and labor are the biggest expenses, so a lender will want to see realistic assumptions for each, and every Item 6 fee should be in your Salvatore’s franchise loan projections from the first month.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
Salvatore’s is direct about the kind of owner it wants:
- Locations must be owner-operated, with the managing partner present 60+ hours per week.
- Locations are open weekends and most holidays.
- The owner or managing partner should have a proven fast food or restaurant track record.
- Owners should know the target area, ideally living within ten minutes of the first location.
- Owners must be active members of the team, not passive investors.
These rules line up with what lenders like to see: an experienced operator who is present every day. The company does not publish a net worth or liquidity minimum, so lenders will apply their own standards for your equity injection and reserves.
The approval process. The company lists the steps as a resume review, an initial meeting, a request for consideration, a non-disclosure document, the FDD, a signed franchise agreement, site selection and build-out, layout and design, training, a soft opening and a grand opening.
Ways to Own a Salvatore’s
A new location. New units are underwritten on projections, the lease, the owner’s experience and capital. Salvatore’s helps with site selection, lease negotiation, layout and design, and equipment ordering.
Buying an existing location. Because every Salvatore’s is locally owned, existing restaurants can change hands, and some locations have been taken over by long-time employees. A lender can underwrite an existing store’s actual sales and cash flow, and the franchisor must approve the transfer. Our article on buying a franchise resale covers transfer approval and timing.
A SoccerSam’s outlet. The compact format, with one or two employees per shift, needs less equipment and space and can fit inside another business. Smaller loans for this format often focus on equipment and working capital.
Master franchise areas. The company offers master franchise areas, which it says are available for under $200,000. Read the SBA section below before planning to finance one.
Financing Options for a Salvatore’s Franchise
SBA 7(a) loans. For a single franchised location, the SBA 7(a) loan program can combine the franchise fee, equipment, build-out and working capital in one loan with a longer repayment term than many conventional options.
SBA 504 loans. If you buy the building your pizzeria will occupy, an SBA 504 loan can finance the real estate and long-lived equipment.
Conventional term loans. A conventional business loan can work for experienced operators with strong collateral, especially when buying an existing restaurant. See our franchise restaurant acquisition financing page for how these purchases are structured.
Equipment financing. Pizza ovens, dough mixers, walk-in coolers and hood systems can be financed separately, preserving cash for opening costs. Learn about restaurant equipment financing and leasing.
Working capital and lines of credit. Payroll, food purchases and marketing come before sales stabilize, and pizza demand can swing with weather, holidays and local events. See our restaurant working capital options.
Seller financing on resales. A retiring owner may carry part of the price. A seller note is typically subordinate to the senior loan, and SBA rules may limit its terms.
SBA Loans for Salvatore’s Franchisees
SBA lenders generally need a brand on the SBA Franchise Directory before making an SBA-guaranteed loan to one of its franchisees. A listing does not approve any borrower; it only clears the franchise relationship.
Salvatore’s Old Fashioned Pizzeria is listed under code S8578, with three notes worth understanding:
- No franchisor mortgage on SBA real estate collateral. The franchisor may not file a mortgage or deed of trust against real estate that secures the SBA loan. If you pledge property, the SBA lender’s lien comes first.
- Correct lien position. The lender, or on a 504 loan the certified development company, must make sure it has the lien position SBA rules require on all collateral, so expect careful lien searches and documentation at closing.
- Master franchises are not eligible. The Master Franchise Addendum is not eligible for SBA loans and should not be signed as part of an SBA-financed deal. In plain English, an SBA loan can finance an individual Salvatore’s location, but not the purchase of master franchise rights. Buyers of a master area should plan on conventional financing or their own capital for that piece.
The SBA 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million, though program rules can change. Confirm the listing and notes with your lender when you apply.
How Lenders Evaluate a Salvatore’s Deal
Personal credit and financial history. Expect a review of credit, tax returns and a personal financial statement, plus a personal guarantee.
Net worth and liquidity. Lenders want your equity injection and a reserve after closing.
Industry and management experience. Salvatore’s asks for a proven restaurant track record, and lenders will too. Years as a manager in a pizzeria or quick-service restaurant carry real weight.
Business plan and projections. Build projections from your format, seating, delivery radius, pickup and catering sales, food and labor costs, rent and every Item 6 fee, with a slower ramp-up case. Our SBA loan calculator can help with early payment estimates, which are for planning only.
The FDD and franchise agreement. Lenders read Items 5, 6, 7, 17 and 19. Review Items 3 and 4 as part of your due diligence. Our guide to how lenders read a Franchise Disclosure Document explains which items matter most.
Site and lease. Because Salvatore’s wants landlords to handle renovations, lenders will look closely at the lease, the tenant improvement allowance and what work the landlord will deliver.
Multi-Unit Growth
Salvatore’s grew by adding locally owned restaurants across its home region, and some owners operate more than one. Lenders generally finance each new location separately, using the cash flow of existing restaurants to support the next request. The 60+ hour weekly presence rule for the managing partner means each additional location needs a strong manager in place.
Real-World Scenarios
A long-time manager buying her store. A Salvatore’s manager with years at the counter and in the kitchen buys the location she runs. The lender values her direct experience and finances the purchase with an SBA 7(a) loan built on the store’s actual sales.
A restaurant veteran opening a pub format. An experienced operator opens a Pizza Pub with a full bar. The lender finances the equipment, bar build-out and working capital, and asks for a detailed liquor license and staffing plan.
A SoccerSam’s kitchen inside another venue. An owner adds a compact SoccerSam’s kitchen at a busy sports facility, financing the equipment separately and keeping a working capital line for slow periods.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming an SBA loan can fund master franchise rights
- Signing a lease before confirming what renovations the landlord will handle
- Treating “minimal” fees as zero instead of reading Item 6
- Underestimating the owner-operator time commitment
- Leaving too little working capital for the first months
For more pitfalls, read about restaurant loan mistakes.
Next Steps to Finance Your Salvatore’s Franchise
Step 1: Submit your resume and meet the team. Follow the company’s process through the initial meeting and request for consideration.
Step 2: Review the FDD. Study Items 5, 6, 7, 17 and 19 with a franchise attorney.
Step 3: Talk with a financing specialist early. Learn which loan programs fit your format before you sign a lease.
Step 4: Secure a site. Negotiate a lease where the landlord handles as much of the renovation as possible.
Step 5: Get equipment and build-out quotes. Price the equipment package and any renovations for your site.
Step 6: Apply for your Salvatore’s franchise loan. Submit the FDD, franchise agreement, lease, quotes and projections.
Step 7: Train and open. Complete the two-week training program and coordinate closing with your soft and grand openings.
Salvatore’s Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does it cost to open a Salvatore’s franchise?
The company lists equipment packages of $50,000 to $100,000 and renovations of up to $25,000, and refers buyers to its 2025 FDD for the full investment breakdown. Opening costs and working capital add to those figures.
What is the Salvatore’s franchise fee?
The company describes the fee as “minimal” and states that the 2026 fee for one SoccerSam’s location is under $25,000. Item 5 of the FDD gives exact amounts.
What royalty does Salvatore’s charge?
The company calls its royalty and advertising fees “minimal.” The rates are in Item 6 of the FDD.
Can I get an SBA loan for a Salvatore’s?
Yes, for an individual location, if you qualify. The brand is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory under code S8578. The Master Franchise Addendum is not eligible for SBA loans.
Can I finance a master franchise with an SBA loan?
No. The directory note states that the Master Franchise Addendum is not eligible for SBA loans, so master rights need conventional financing or your own capital.
Do I have to run the restaurant myself?
Yes. Salvatore’s requires owner-operated locations with the managing partner on site 60+ hours per week, and it does not accept passive investors.
Does Salvatore’s offer financing?
Check Item 10 of the FDD for any franchisor financing. Most buyers arrange their own loans.
How long is the franchise term?
The term, renewal and transfer conditions are in Item 17 of the FDD.
Does the FDD include financial performance information?
The company says its FDD covers earnings potential. Review Item 19 to see exactly what financial performance representations it includes.
Final Thoughts
Salvatore’s offers a range of formats, published equipment costs and a landlord-funded renovation approach that can keep startup budgets lean. The keys to financing are choosing the right format, negotiating a strong lease, keeping master franchise rights separate from any SBA request and showing a lender 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 and restaurant financing solutions.
