How to Finance a Saroki’s Crispy Chicken & Pizza Franchise: $30K
By Chris Cornella
A Saroki’s Crispy Chicken & Pizza franchise loan finances a food counter that lives inside someone else’s building. The brand places its restaurants in large gas stations and convenience stores, so the financing plan centers on kitchen equipment, a compact build-out and a lease or sublease with the host store, rather than on a freestanding restaurant.
US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Saroki’s Crispy Chicken & Pizza; the name is used only to describe the business. Figures from the franchisor’s materials and its Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) can change at any time, loan programs vary, and every loan is subject to approval. Nothing in this article is legal, tax or investment advice; review the current FDD with a franchise attorney and an accountant before you sign.
Saroki’s Crispy Chicken & Pizza Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Concept: fried chicken, tenders, pizza and calzones, plus fish, sandwiches, subs, salads, sides, desserts and catering.
- Format: restaurants located inside large gas stations and convenience stores.
- Initial franchise fee: $30,000, according to the franchisor’s franchising page.
- Royalty: 5%.
- Marketing: 4% in total, split between 2% for local marketing and 2% for the brand fund.
- Estimated total investment: $146,000 to $428,000 for a single unit.
- System size: the company reports 20 locations.
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed under code S7793, with no additional directory notes.
What Is Saroki’s Crispy Chicken & Pizza?
Saroki’s started in 2012 inside a gas station in Wixom, Michigan. The Saroki family behind the brand says it brings more than 40 years of experience in the convenience store industry and 20 years in food, and the concept was built for that setting from the start.
The menu pairs two of the most popular quick-service categories: bone-in fried chicken and tenders on one side, pizza and calzones on the other. Fried fish, sandwiches, subs, salads, sides and desserts round it out, and the brand offers catering, a mobile app, a loyalty program and online ordering.
Why the host-store model matters. The franchisor says placing restaurants inside large gas stations and convenience stores keeps build-out and occupancy costs lower than a standalone restaurant. The host store supplies traffic from fuel and convenience customers, and the restaurant gives the store a reason for shoppers to stop at mealtimes.
How lenders see the brand. A modest investment range and a format that avoids ground-up construction are positives. Lenders will focus on the host location’s traffic, the terms of the space agreement with the store owner and the operator’s ability to run a fryer-and-oven kitchen with consistent quality.
Saroki’s Crispy Chicken & Pizza Franchise Costs
The franchisor’s published figures are a starting point; the current FDD controls. Item 5 lists initial fees, Item 6 lists ongoing fees and Item 7 breaks down the estimated initial investment.
Initial franchise fee
The franchisor lists a $30,000 initial franchise fee. Buyers usually pay it from their own cash or include it in an SBA 7(a) loan as part of the total project. The franchising page also mentions multi-unit opportunities, so ask whether development terms change the fee per unit.
Build-out inside the host store
Because the restaurant sits inside an existing building, the work is usually an interior build-out: counter and menu boards, a ventilation hood and fire suppression, plumbing for sinks and a grease trap, electrical upgrades and finishes. The condition of the space, and whether the host store has had a food operation before, drives much of the difference between the low and high ends of the range.
Equipment
The kitchen combines a fried chicken line and a pizza line. Expect fryers, breading and prep stations, pizza ovens, dough and prep equipment, walk-in or reach-in refrigeration and freezers, heated display and holding cases, and a point-of-sale system tied to online ordering.
Opening costs and working capital
Opening inventory, staff hiring and training, grand-opening marketing and the first months of operating expenses all come before steady sales. Item 7 typically includes a line for additional funds during the initial period, and lenders expect that cushion in the budget.
Total investment
The franchisor’s estimated range for a single unit is $146,000 to $428,000. When you review Item 7, expect line items such as:
- Initial franchise fee
- Leasehold improvements inside the host store
- Fryers, ovens and kitchen equipment
- Refrigeration and display cases
- Signage, menu boards and decor
- Point-of-sale and technology
- Opening food and paper inventory
- Training expenses
- Grand-opening marketing
- Deposits, permits and licenses
- Additional funds for the initial operating period
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Saroki’s Crispy Chicken & Pizza Franchise Loan
The franchisor lists a 5% royalty and 4% in total marketing: 2% spent on local marketing and 2% contributed to the brand fund. Check Item 6 for technology fees, transfer and renewal fees and any remodel obligations.
Lenders reviewing a Saroki’s Crispy Chicken & Pizza franchise loan subtract royalties, marketing, rent or occupancy payments to the host store, food, labor and other operating costs from projected sales, then test whether the remaining cash flow covers the loan payment with a margin. Because royalty and marketing together are tied to sales, model them as a percentage of revenue in every month of your projections.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
The franchisor lists minimum liquid capital, net worth and credit expectations on its franchising page and inquiry form; confirm the current figures directly with the franchisor and in the FDD. It says restaurant experience is preferred but not required, and that owners without it need someone with restaurant experience to run daily operations.
The approval process. The franchisor describes six steps:
- Submit the online franchising form; qualified applicants hear from a franchise development director.
- Complete a formal application, including a financial statement.
- Schedule a call and receive and review the FDD.
- Review sites, talk with existing franchisees and finalize a business plan.
- Meet the Saroki’s team.
- Sign the franchise agreement.
Lenders apply their own tests on top of these. Liquid capital usually needs to cover the equity injection plus post-closing reserves.
Site Selection and the Host Store Relationship
The franchisor says pre-approved sites are typically available and that its real estate team helps with site selection, lease negotiation and construction management. Gas station partners quoted by the franchisor describe the restaurant as a way to bring more customers into their stores.
For financing, the agreement with the host store matters as much as the equipment list. Lenders will want to know who controls the space, how long the lease or sublease runs, whether it can be renewed, how rent is calculated and what happens if the station is sold. A lease term at least as long as the loan, with renewal options, makes underwriting easier.
Ways to Own a Saroki’s
A new unit in a host store. The standard route is a new restaurant inside a gas station or convenience store, financed with an SBA 7(a) loan covering the fee, build-out, equipment and working capital. See our page on franchise start-up financing.
A store owner adding the brand. An owner of a large gas station or convenience store may open a Saroki’s inside the existing business. Lenders can then look at the store’s history alongside projections for the restaurant.
Buying an existing location. A resale is financed largely on the unit’s historical results and requires franchisor approval under Item 17. Our article on buying a franchise resale walks through the transfer process.
Multiple units. The franchisor offers multi-unit opportunities for owners who want to grow across several host locations.
Financing Options for a Saroki’s Crispy Chicken & Pizza Franchise
SBA 7(a) loans
An SBA 7(a) loan can combine the franchise fee, interior build-out, equipment and working capital in one loan. The SBA 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million, well above the published single-unit range.
SBA 504 loans
An SBA 504 loan fits when an owner buys real estate, such as a gas station or convenience store building that will house the restaurant. Most franchisees occupy space in someone else’s building, so 504 financing applies mainly to station owners.
Conventional term loans
Experienced operators, including convenience store owners with strong financials, may qualify for conventional business loans, particularly when adding a second or third unit.
Equipment financing
Fryers, pizza ovens, refrigeration, display cases and point-of-sale systems can be financed separately, which can preserve cash for opening. Learn more about restaurant equipment financing.
Working capital and lines of credit
Opening payroll, food inventory and catering orders that are paid after delivery all draw on working capital. Our restaurant working capital page explains the options.
Seller financing on resales
A seller may carry part of the price on an existing unit. Seller notes are typically subordinate to the primary loan, and some loan programs limit how they are structured.
SBA Loans for Saroki’s Crispy Chicken & Pizza Franchisees
SBA lenders generally require a franchise brand to appear on the SBA Franchise Directory before making an SBA-guaranteed loan to its franchisees. Saroki’s Crispy Chicken & Pizza is listed under code S7793 with no additional notes, which means no special addendum or condition is flagged beyond standard program rules. A listing does not guarantee approval; the borrower and the project still have to qualify.
Prepare the current FDD, the franchise agreement, the lease or sublease with the host store (or a letter of intent), contractor bids, equipment quotes, projections, personal tax returns and a personal financial statement. You can estimate payments on a Saroki’s Crispy Chicken & Pizza franchise loan with our SBA loan calculator.
How Lenders Evaluate a Saroki’s Deal
Personal credit and financial history. Lenders review credit reports, existing obligations and any past credit events.
Net worth and liquidity. The franchisor’s minimums are a floor; lenders look at how much cash remains after the equity injection.
Industry and management experience. Restaurant or convenience store management experience, or a hired manager with that background, strengthens the request.
Business plan and projections. Projections should reflect the host store’s traffic, daypart patterns, catering and online orders, the 5% royalty and 4% marketing, and a realistic labor model.
The FDD and franchise agreement. Lenders read Items 5, 6, 7, 17 and 19. Our article on using the FDD in franchise financing explains what they focus on.
Site and host agreement. Lenders review the lease or sublease, its term and renewal options, and the host store’s condition and traffic.
Historical financials on resales. For an existing unit, lenders review tax returns, sales reports and profit and loss statements.
Multi-Unit Growth
Owners who want more than one Saroki’s typically finance each unit on its own, using the first unit’s results to support the next loan. Because each unit sits inside a different host store, lenders review each space agreement separately. Our article on multi-unit franchise financing explains how lenders view a growing portfolio.
Real-World Scenarios
First-time franchisee with a manager. A buyer without restaurant experience hires an experienced manager and opens a unit at a pre-approved gas station, using an SBA 7(a) loan for the build-out, equipment and working capital.
Station owner adding food. A convenience store owner adds a Saroki’s inside the store, financing kitchen equipment separately and using the store’s history to support the loan.
Resale buyer. A buyer acquires an established unit, with financing based on its tax returns, a new sublease with the host store and a seller note subordinate to the main loan.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Signing a host store lease or sublease shorter than the loan term.
- Assuming every host space needs the same build-out.
- Leaving out hood, fire suppression and grease trap costs.
- Forgetting that royalty and marketing are both tied to sales.
- Opening without an experienced manager when the owner lacks restaurant experience.
For more pitfalls, see our article on restaurant loan mistakes.
Next Steps to Finance Your Saroki’s Crispy Chicken & Pizza Franchise
Step 1: Review the FDD. Study Items 5, 6, 7, 17 and 19 with an advisor.
Step 2: Confirm your capital. Compare your liquid assets and net worth with the franchisor’s current requirements.
Step 3: Choose a host location. Review pre-approved sites and the host store’s traffic.
Step 4: Negotiate the space agreement. Secure a lease or sublease term that matches your financing.
Step 5: Build a budget and projections. Gather contractor bids and equipment quotes, then model monthly sales and costs.
Step 6: Apply for financing. Submit your package and compare loan structures.
Saroki’s Crispy Chicken & Pizza Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does a Saroki’s franchise cost?
The franchisor’s estimated total investment for a single unit is $146,000 to $428,000.
What is the franchise fee?
The initial franchise fee is $30,000.
What royalty does Saroki’s charge?
A 5% royalty, plus 4% for marketing split between local marketing and the brand fund.
How much liquid capital and net worth do I need?
The franchisor lists minimums on its franchising page; confirm the current figures with the franchisor and in the FDD.
Can I get an SBA loan for a Saroki’s franchise?
Yes, eligible buyers can apply. The brand is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory under code S7793, subject to approval.
Do I need restaurant experience?
The franchisor says it is preferred but not required; owners without it need an experienced person running daily operations.
Do I need to own a gas station?
No. Saroki’s units operate inside host gas stations and convenience stores, and the franchisor says pre-approved sites are typically available.
Can I finance the kitchen equipment separately?
Yes. Fryers, ovens and refrigeration can be financed through equipment loans or leases.
Can I buy an existing Saroki’s?
Yes, with franchisor approval under the transfer terms in the franchise agreement.
Does Saroki’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?
Item 17 of the FDD sets out the term, renewal and transfer conditions.
Final Thoughts
A Saroki’s Crispy Chicken & Pizza franchise loan funds a compact chicken-and-pizza kitchen inside a busy host store. Buyers who secure a solid space agreement, budget fully for equipment and build-out and plan for experienced day-to-day management give themselves the best chance of a smooth closing.
US Professional Funding helps franchise owners finance start-ups, acquisitions, equipment and working capital. Learn more about our franchise financing and restaurant financing solutions.
