How to Finance a Smokin’ Oak Franchise: Pizza Meets a Tap Wall
By Marc Cornella
A Smokin’ Oak franchise loan pays for two businesses under one roof: a fast-casual wood-fired pizzeria and a self-pour taproom where guests pay by the ounce. According to the franchisor, its 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) puts the total initial investment at $440,550 to $897,500, and the build-out, oven and digital tap wall drive much of that range.
US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Smokin’ Oak Wood-Fired Pizza & Taproom; 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 lender review and approval. Nothing here is legal, tax or investment advice, and buyers should review the current FDD and franchise agreement with a qualified franchise attorney and accountant.
Smokin’ Oak Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Estimated initial investment: $440,550 to $897,500, according to the franchisor’s summary of its 2026 FDD.
- Franchise fee, royalty and ad fund: disclosed in Items 5 and 6 of the FDD; the franchisor does not publish the amounts on its franchising site.
- History: created in 2009 as an independent restaurant; franchising since 2017.
- Concept: wood-fired pizza with a self-pour tap wall serving beer, wine, cider and mixed cocktails.
- Time to open: about 7 to 12 months, according to the franchisor.
- Experience: prior pizza experience is not required, the franchisor says.
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed under code S1589, with a note about lease documents when real estate secures the loan.
What Is Smokin’ Oak?
Smokin’ Oak Wood-Fired Pizza & Taproom began in 2009 as an independent restaurant and started franchising in 2017, after about eight years of operating history. The franchisor, Fourth Avenue Restaurant Group, LLC, lists its office in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Guests build their own pizza from more than 35 toppings or choose one of 12 specialty pizzas, and the menu adds starters, salads and desserts. The franchisor says its restaurants have no freezers and that the wood-fired oven is the only cooking appliance. At the taproom wall, guests use an RFID wristband or card to pour their own drinks and pay by the ounce.
The franchisor’s site lists nine open restaurants, in Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska, with more coming soon, and says franchises are offered in 36 states. One of its recent openings, in Olathe, Kansas, is described as about 3,000 square feet with a 20-tap self-pour wall and roughly 20 employees.
How lenders see it. Lenders view Smokin’ Oak as a young, growing system. A Smokin’ Oak franchise loan is underwritten mostly on the borrower’s own strength, liquidity and restaurant experience, along with the site and the lease, rather than on a long brand history.
Smokin’ Oak Franchise Costs
Initial franchise fee. The fee is set out in Item 5 of the current FDD. Confirm the amount, when it is paid and whether multi-unit pricing applies before you size the loan.
Real estate and build-out. The franchisor says its investment estimate covers property, construction, equipment and working capital. Most of the variation in the range comes from the site: second-generation restaurant space with existing plumbing and grease handling costs less to convert than a vanilla shell.
Equipment and the tap wall. The kitchen centers on the wood-fired oven, prep stations and refrigeration. The taproom adds the self-pour wall, its RFID and point-of-sale technology, draft lines and cooling.
Opening costs and working capital. Opening inventory of food and beverages, initial training, grand opening marketing and early payroll all belong in the budget. Working capital should also cover rent and debt payments during the ramp-up.
Total investment. The franchisor’s site cites $440,550 to $897,500 from its 2026 FDD. Read the full Item 7 table for each line item and the assumptions behind it. Typical categories to review include:
- Initial franchise fee
- Real estate, rent and security deposits
- Construction and leasehold improvements
- Wood-fired oven, kitchen equipment and smallwares
- Self-pour tap wall system and technology
- Furniture, fixtures and signage
- Licenses and permits, including alcohol licensing
- Opening inventory and grand opening marketing
- Additional funds for the initial operating period
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Loan
Royalty and brand fund. Item 6 of the FDD lists the royalty, the marketing or brand fund contribution and any local advertising requirement. These are usually a percentage of gross sales, so they rise with revenue.
Technology fees. Point-of-sale, online ordering and the tap wall’s software and analytics may carry recurring charges. Ask how each is billed.
Remodels and refreshes. Check the FDD for any required updates to the restaurant or the tap wall technology over the term.
How lenders factor these costs in. Lenders deduct royalties, fund contributions, rent and technology costs from projected sales before testing debt service. The beverage side needs its own cost assumptions, since beer, wine and cocktails carry different margins and pour loss.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
The franchisor’s site does not publish a minimum net worth or liquid capital requirement. Its inquiry form asks how much capital a candidate has available, in brackets up to $250,000 or more. Ask the franchisor for its current financial qualifications.
The approval process. The franchisor describes an introductory call, a franchise webinar, review of the FDD, a management call and a Discovery Day at an existing location. After signing come site selection, architectural design, construction, a grand opening marketing campaign, and on-site training and support before opening. Candidates receive training in operations, menu, marketing and tap wall management.
Ways to Own a Smokin’ Oak
A new restaurant. Most owners build a new location in an available territory. Financing covers the build-out, oven, tap wall, furniture and opening costs. Our page on restaurant start-up financing outlines how lenders approach new units.
Buying an existing restaurant. If a franchised location comes up for sale, a lender can underwrite actual sales and the remaining lease and franchise term. The franchisor must approve the transfer. Our article on buying a franchise resale walks through the steps, and our franchise restaurant acquisition financing page covers purchase loans.
Financing Options for a Smokin’ Oak Franchise
SBA 7(a) loans. With the brand on the SBA Franchise Directory, an SBA 7(a) loan can combine the franchise fee, leasehold improvements, equipment and working capital in one request.
SBA 504 loans. When a franchisee buys or builds the building, the SBA 504 program can finance the real estate and long-lived equipment over a long term.
Conventional term loans. A conventional business loan can suit an experienced operator with strong liquidity or an owner adding a second location.
Equipment financing. The wood-fired oven, refrigeration, draft and cooling systems and the self-pour wall itself can often be financed separately. See our restaurant equipment financing and leasing options.
Working capital and lines of credit. A taproom carries beverage inventory, and sales can swing with game days, weekends and seasons. A restaurant working capital line helps with payroll and inventory during the first months.
Seller financing on resales. A seller may carry part of the price on an existing restaurant. Seller notes are typically subordinate to the senior lender, and SBA rules may limit their terms.
SBA Loans for Smokin’ Oak Franchisees
SBA lenders generally require a franchise brand to be on the SBA Franchise Directory before making an SBA-guaranteed loan to its franchisees. A listing clears the franchise relationship for review; it does not approve any borrower.
Smokin’ Oak Wood-Fired Pizza & Taproom is listed under code S1589. The directory note says that when the real estate where the franchise business is located secures the SBA-guaranteed loan, the Collateral Assignment of Lease and the Consent and Agreement of Landlord may not be executed. In plain English, the brand’s lease-related documents are meant for franchisees who rent their space. If you own the property and pledge it as collateral, those lease documents should not be signed as part of the loan.
The SBA 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million, though program rules can change. Our SBA loan calculator can help with early payment estimates, which are for planning only and are not an offer.
How Lenders Evaluate a Smokin’ Oak Deal
Personal credit and financial history. Lenders review credit, tax returns and a personal financial statement, and typically require a personal guarantee.
Net worth and liquidity. Lenders want an equity injection plus reserves left after opening, especially for a build-out that can run over budget.
Industry and management experience. Restaurant, bar or hospitality management experience strengthens a request, even though the franchisor does not require pizza experience. A plan to hire an experienced general manager helps.
Business plan and projections. Model food and beverage sales separately, with realistic labor for a restaurant of roughly 20 employees, beverage costs and the seven-to-twelve-month path to opening. Our article on how lenders read a Franchise Disclosure Document explains which items they check.
The FDD and franchise agreement. Lenders look at the term, renewal and transfer rules in Item 17 and any franchisor financing in Item 10. Review Items 3 and 4 as part of your diligence, and Item 19 to see whether the FDD includes financial performance representations.
Site and lease. Lenders review rent, lease term, renewal options and landlord improvement allowances. A lease that runs at least as long as the loan is generally easier to finance.
The Taproom: Licensing and Equipment
The self-pour wall is the feature that sets Smokin’ Oak apart, and it brings financing considerations a standard pizzeria does not have. Alcohol licensing varies by state and city, and the license can take time and money to obtain. Lenders usually want to know the license is in hand, or on a clear path, before funding the final draw.
The tap wall itself is a technology system with RFID readers, draft lines, cooling and software that tracks each pour. Ask what is purchased, what is licensed and what recurring fees apply, because owned equipment can serve as collateral while software subscriptions cannot.
Multi-Unit Growth and Development
With franchises offered in 36 states and many open territories, some buyers will consider more than one restaurant. A second unit is generally easier to finance once the first has a track record. Ask whether the franchisor offers development agreements and what schedule they require, and see our guide to multi-unit franchise financing.
Real-World Scenarios
A first-time owner with bar experience. A former bar manager opens in leased second-generation space, using an SBA 7(a) loan for the build-out and equipment and keeping reserves for the beverage inventory.
An owner who buys the building. An investor buys a freestanding building and finances it with an SBA 504 loan, following the directory note on lease documents.
A family of franchise operators. Owners with experience in another restaurant franchise open a location and finance the tap wall separately through equipment financing.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Underestimating the time and cost of alcohol licensing
- Budgeting the low end of the investment range for a shell space
- Modeling beverage sales without pour loss and inventory costs
- Leaving too little working capital for a 7 to 12 month opening timeline
- Signing a lease shorter than the loan term
- Assuming software and tap wall subscriptions are one-time costs
Read more in the restaurant loan mistakes that cost owners the most.
Next Steps to Finance Your Smokin’ Oak Franchise
Step 1: Review the FDD. Study Items 5, 6, 7, 10, 17 and 19 with a franchise attorney and accountant.
Step 2: Attend Discovery Day. Visit an existing restaurant and talk with owners.
Step 3: Pick a site. Compare second-generation space with shell space and get build-out estimates.
Step 4: Start on licensing. Learn your state and local alcohol licensing process and timeline.
Step 5: Talk with a financing specialist. Compare SBA 7(a), 504, equipment and conventional options.
Step 6: Apply and close. Submit projections, the lease, equipment quotes and franchise documents, then line up working capital for opening.
Smokin’ Oak Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does a Smokin’ Oak franchise cost?
The franchisor cites a total initial investment of $440,550 to $897,500 from its 2026 FDD.
What is the Smokin’ Oak franchise fee?
The fee is disclosed in Item 5 of the FDD and is not published on the franchisor’s franchising site.
What royalty does Smokin’ Oak charge?
The royalty and brand fund contributions appear in Item 6 of the FDD. Ask for them early so lenders can build them into projections.
Can I get an SBA Smokin’ Oak franchise loan?
Yes, eligible borrowers can apply. The brand is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory under code S1589, subject to lender approval.
Can I finance the tap wall and oven separately?
Often, yes. Equipment financing can cover owned equipment, alongside an SBA or conventional loan for the build-out.
Do I need restaurant experience?
The franchisor says prior pizza experience is not required. Lenders still value restaurant or bar management experience.
Does Smokin’ Oak offer financing?
Check Item 10 of the current FDD for any franchisor financing.
How long does it take to open?
The franchisor estimates about 7 to 12 months.
How long is the franchise term?
The term and renewal rights are in Item 17 of the FDD.
Final Thoughts
A Smokin’ Oak franchise loan finances a restaurant and a beverage business at once. Buyers who plan for licensing, budget the tap wall carefully and keep solid working capital put themselves in a strong position with lenders.
US Professional Funding helps franchise owners finance start-ups, equipment, working capital and acquisitions. Learn more about our franchise financing and restaurant financing options.
