How to Finance a Savvy Sliders Franchise: Drive-Thru Slider Costs
By Chris Cornella
A Savvy Sliders franchise loan usually funds a drive-thru restaurant built around gourmet sliders, fries and value combo boxes. Because the brand favors standalone drive-thru sites and its SBA Franchise Directory listing carries a restrictive note, buyers need a financing plan that accounts for real estate, kitchen equipment and a loan structure that may not include SBA programs.
US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Savvy Sliders; the name is used only to describe the business. Figures from the franchisor’s Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) can change, 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.
Savvy Sliders Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Concept: a quick-service brand serving gourmet sliders, including beef, chicken, fish, steak and falafel options, with fries, drinks and combo boxes.
- Origin: founded in Michigan, with restaurants since expanding into several other states.
- Preferred format: standalone drive-thru restaurants, with occasional exceptions for dense downtown areas and college campuses.
- Fees and investment: the franchise fee, royalty, marketing fund contribution and Item 7 investment range should be confirmed in the current FDD.
- Owner profile: the brand looks for community-minded operators and favors franchising or restaurant management experience.
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed under code S6422, with a note limiting eligibility to the Paycheck Protection Program (explained below).
What Is Savvy Sliders?
Savvy Sliders is a Michigan-born slider concept that grew from a single restaurant into a multi-state franchise system. The menu focuses on made-to-order sliders in flavors that range from classic beef to chicken, fish, steak and falafel, along with signature builds such as The Hangover with a fried egg, plus fries and rotating limited-time offers.
The brand is built for speed and convenience. Most new development is drive-thru, and the company has said it prefers standalone buildings with strong traffic counts. It also runs a community program called More 2 Love that supports local causes, which is part of why it looks for owners who are active in their communities.
Restaurants now operate or are in development in markets that include Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Florida, Texas, Nevada, North Carolina and Louisiana.
How lenders see the brand. Savvy Sliders is a younger, fast-growing quick-service system. Lenders will focus on the operator’s restaurant experience, the quality of the drive-thru site and, because of the brand’s SBA note, how the deal can be structured without relying on SBA 7(a) or 504 programs.
Savvy Sliders Franchise Costs
Item 5 of the FDD lists the initial franchise fee, Item 6 lists ongoing fees and Item 7 estimates the total initial investment. Build your budget from the current FDD rather than older summaries, since figures change from year to year.
Initial franchise fee
The fee is paid when you sign the franchise agreement. Check Item 5 for the amount and whether multi-unit or area development deals carry different terms.
Real estate and build-out
A drive-thru restaurant requires a site with a stacking lane, menu board, order point and good access and visibility. You may lease an existing building, convert a former restaurant with a drive-thru, or buy land and build. Conversions of second-generation quick-service buildings can reduce construction costs, while ground-up builds raise the total but may be eligible for long-term real estate financing.
Equipment
The kitchen centers on flat-top griddles, fryers, holding and warming equipment, refrigeration and freezers, prep tables, a hood and fire suppression system and dishwashing equipment. The drive-thru adds headsets, a digital menu board, order confirmation screens and a pickup window.
Opening costs and working capital
Before opening, you hire and train a crew, buy opening food and packaging inventory and fund grand-opening marketing. Item 7 typically includes a line for additional funds during the first months.
Total investment
When you review Item 7, expect line items such as:
- Initial franchise fee
- Real estate, lease deposits or land acquisition
- Construction, site work and leasehold improvements
- Kitchen equipment and smallwares
- Drive-thru technology and menu boards
- Signage and exterior branding
- Point-of-sale and online ordering systems
- Opening food, packaging and supply inventory
- Training travel and expenses
- Grand-opening marketing
- Permits, licenses and insurance
- Additional funds for the initial operating period
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Savvy Sliders Franchise Loan
Item 6 lists the royalty, marketing fund contribution, technology fees, transfer and renewal fees and any remodel obligations. Each comes out of sales before cash is available to pay the loan.
Lenders model projected sales, then subtract food and packaging costs, labor, rent or mortgage payments, royalties and marketing. A drive-thru restaurant’s volume depends heavily on traffic and speed of service, so projections should be tied to the site’s traffic counts and realistic throughput. Our article on franchise remodel financing explains how future reimage requirements can affect your long-term budget.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
The brand has said it selects franchisees based on character and fit with its community-first culture, and that it favors candidates with franchising or restaurant management experience. Minimum net worth and liquid capital requirements are not something we could verify from the franchisor’s own materials, so confirm them directly and in the FDD.
Because conventional financing will likely play a larger role for this brand, expect lenders to want a stronger cash contribution and collateral than they might for an SBA-eligible deal.
Ways to Own a Savvy Sliders
A new restaurant. Most growth comes from new drive-thru development. A start-up loan funds construction, equipment and opening costs. See our page on restaurant start-up financing.
An existing restaurant. Operating restaurants occasionally come up for sale. A resale gives the lender actual sales history, subject to franchisor approval under the transfer terms. Learn more about franchise restaurant acquisition financing.
A conversion. The brand has opened restaurants by remodeling existing restaurant buildings. A conversion can lower construction costs, but the lender will want a detailed scope and budget.
Multi-unit development. Operators may sign for several restaurants under a development schedule. Each opening needs its own financing plan.
Financing Options for a Savvy Sliders Franchise
Conventional term loans. Given the brand’s SBA note, conventional business loans are often the first route to explore for a new restaurant or a resale. Expect shorter terms and larger equity requirements than SBA programs offer.
SBA 7(a) and 504 loans. These programs finance franchise fees, build-outs, equipment and real estate for eligible brands. Savvy Sliders’ current directory note limits it to the Paycheck Protection Program, so ask whether an SBA 7(a) loan or an SBA 504 loan becomes possible if the brand’s listing changes.
Equipment financing. Griddles, fryers, refrigeration, hoods and drive-thru technology can be financed or leased separately, which reduces the size of the Savvy Sliders franchise loan itself. See restaurant equipment financing and leasing.
Working capital and lines of credit. A line of credit helps with food costs, payroll and the first months after opening. See restaurant working capital.
Seller financing on resales. A selling owner may carry part of the price. Seller notes are typically subordinate to the senior loan.
SBA Loans for Savvy Sliders Franchisees
The SBA Franchise Directory lists brands whose franchise documents have been reviewed so franchisees can use SBA-guaranteed loans.
The brand’s listing and its note. Savvy Sliders appears under code S6422 with this note: the brand is only eligible for loans under the Paycheck Protection Program and will be listed only for the duration of the program. In plain English, the listing was created so franchisees could get pandemic-era payroll loans. It does not clear the brand for standard SBA 7(a) or 504 franchise loans, and the Paycheck Protection Program is no longer making new loans.
What that means for you. Plan on conventional financing unless the franchisor submits its documents for SBA review and the brand’s listing changes. Check the directory before relying on an SBA loan. For eligible brands, the SBA 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million, though program rules can change.
Application tips. Prepare the FDD, the lease or purchase contract, construction bids, equipment quotes, a personal financial statement, tax returns, a resume and monthly projections. Use the conventional loan calculator to estimate payments.
How Lenders Evaluate a Savvy Sliders Deal
Personal credit and financial history. Expect a review of credit, tax returns and your personal financial statement, plus a personal guarantee.
Net worth and liquidity. Conventional lenders want a meaningful cash contribution and reserves after opening.
Restaurant experience. Quick-service or multi-unit restaurant management experience strengthens the application and matches what the brand looks for.
Business plan and projections. Show drive-thru and counter sales, third-party delivery, labor scheduling and food costs. Tie your sales assumptions to the site’s traffic counts.
The FDD and franchise agreement. Lenders review Items 5, 6, 7 and 17. Review Item 3 and Item 4 of the FDD as part of your own due diligence. Our article on using the FDD for financing walks through the key items.
Site and real estate. A strong drive-thru site with good access, stacking room and visibility matters to both the brand and the lender. If you lease, the lease term should cover the loan.
Historical financials for resales. For an existing restaurant, expect a review of sales reports, tax returns and food and labor costs.
Drive-Thru Real Estate and Equipment Deep Dive
The drive-thru format shapes the financing more than any other factor.
- Land and building: owning the real estate adds collateral but increases the total project cost.
- Site work: curb cuts, paving, stacking lanes and lighting can add significant cost to a ground-up build.
- Drive-thru technology: digital menu boards, headsets and timers are often financed with the equipment package.
- Kitchen line: griddles, fryers and holding units must keep up with peak drive-thru demand.
- Conversions: a former quick-service building with an existing drive-thru and hood can shorten construction time.
Multi-Unit Growth and Development Agreements
A development agreement sets the number of restaurants and the schedule for opening them. Lenders typically finance one restaurant at a time and want to see the first one performing before funding the next. See our article on multi-unit franchise financing.
Real-World Scenarios
The experienced operator. A restaurant manager with years in quick service converts a former burger restaurant with an existing drive-thru, using a conventional term loan and equipment financing.
The real estate buyer. An investor buys a pad site and builds a new drive-thru. The project relies on conventional real estate financing because of the brand’s SBA status.
The resale buyer. A buyer acquires an operating restaurant with sales history. The seller carries a small subordinate note.
The multi-unit developer. An operating group signs for several restaurants, opens the first with conventional financing and returns for funding on the next once the first is established.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming SBA financing is available without checking the brand’s directory note.
- Underestimating site work for a ground-up drive-thru.
- Basing sales on optimistic traffic assumptions.
- Skipping a working capital reserve for the first months.
- Signing a development schedule you cannot finance.
Read more in our article on restaurant loan mistakes.
Next Steps to Finance Your Savvy Sliders Franchise
Step 1: Request the FDD. Review Items 5, 6, 7 and 17 with an advisor.
Step 2: Confirm the requirements. Ask for the franchisor’s net worth and liquidity minimums.
Step 3: Evaluate sites. Look at conversions as well as ground-up drive-thru sites.
Step 4: Gather bids. Collect construction and equipment quotes.
Step 5: Build projections. Model sales, food costs, labor and debt service.
Step 6: Apply for financing. Compare conventional structures and confirm the brand’s SBA status.
Savvy Sliders Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does a Savvy Sliders franchise cost?
The total investment is disclosed in Item 7 of the FDD. Real estate and drive-thru construction drive most of the range.
What is the franchise fee?
The franchise fee is disclosed in Item 5 of the FDD.
What royalty does Savvy Sliders charge?
Royalty and marketing fees are disclosed in Item 6 of the FDD.
Can I get an SBA loan for a Savvy Sliders franchise?
Not under the current directory note, which limits the brand to the Paycheck Protection Program. Plan on conventional financing unless the listing changes.
How much liquid capital do I need?
The franchisor sets its own requirement, and conventional lenders expect a meaningful cash contribution.
Can I finance equipment separately?
Yes. Griddles, fryers, refrigeration and drive-thru technology can be financed or leased.
Can I buy an existing Savvy Sliders?
Yes, if one is available and the franchisor approves the transfer.
Do I need restaurant experience?
The brand favors franchising or restaurant management experience, and lenders do too.
Can I open multiple restaurants?
Yes, through a development agreement with an opening schedule.
Does Savvy Sliders offer financing?
Check Item 10 of the FDD for any franchisor financing.
How long is the franchise term?
Item 17 of the FDD sets out the term, renewal and transfer conditions.
Final Thoughts
A Savvy Sliders franchise loan funds a drive-thru restaurant where site quality, kitchen speed and real estate costs matter most. Because the brand’s SBA listing is limited, buyers who line up conventional financing, a strong cash position and a well-located site early will be in the best position to move forward.
US Professional Funding helps franchise owners finance start-ups, acquisitions, equipment and working capital. Learn more about our franchise financing and restaurant financing solutions.
