How to Finance a Soccer Stars Franchise: No-Storefront Model
By Anthony Cornella
A Soccer Stars franchise loan finances a youth soccer program that runs on borrowed fields, gyms and classrooms rather than a storefront. The brand delivers its curriculum at parks, schools and community facilities, so the money a new owner needs goes mostly to the franchise fee, coaching staff, gear, marketing and the cash to carry the business while enrollment builds.
This article explains what a lender looks for in a mobile kids’ sports franchise, where the brand’s SBA Franchise Directory listing helps, how SBA 7(a) and conventional loans fit a business with little hard collateral, and what to pull from the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) before you apply.
US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Soccer Stars; the name is used only to describe the business. Figures in the franchisor’s disclosure document 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, so review the current FDD and franchise agreement with a franchise attorney and an accountant before you sign.
Soccer Stars Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Concept: curriculum-based, educational youth soccer programming for children.
- Where classes happen: parks, schools and community facilities, not a franchisee-owned or leased storefront.
- Overhead: the company describes the model as low overhead with no brick-and-mortar location required.
- Franchisor: Soccer Stars franchises are offered through a multi-brand youth sports franchisor, and the company describes Soccer Stars as one of its largest brands by territory count.
- Fees and investment: the initial franchise fee, royalty, brand fund and total investment are disclosed in Items 5, 6 and 7 of the current FDD; we did not find them published on franchisor pages we could verify.
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed as Soccer Stars under code S7707, with no additional notes.
What Is Soccer Stars?
Soccer Stars is a youth soccer franchise built around an educational curriculum. Coaches lead age-appropriate sessions, and the owner builds the partner relationships, schedules and coaching team that keep them full.
A program, not a facility. The company says franchisees run programming out of parks, schools and community facilities. That means no lease negotiation for a retail space, no construction and no fixtures to finance. The trade-off is dependence on partner sites, permits and school calendars.
Part of a multi-brand system. The franchisor also offers other youth sports concepts and describes a model where an owner can start with one territory and expand.
Why lenders view it the way they do. A lender sees a Soccer Stars franchise loan as financing for a service business. There is little equipment or real estate to secure a loan, so repayment depends on the owner’s ability to sign partner sites, hire reliable coaches and keep families enrolling season after season. A smaller loan request helps, but the borrower’s background, liquidity and plan carry more weight than they would in a deal backed by a building.
Soccer Stars Franchise Costs
Every cost figure that matters for your loan is in the FDD. Build your loan request from its Item 7 table rather than estimates you find elsewhere.
Initial franchise fee. Item 5 lists the fee to join, what it covers (usually initial training and territory rights) and any discounts. If you plan to buy more than one territory, check whether the document describes a reduced fee for additional territories.
Real estate and build-out. Because classes run at partner locations, a typical Soccer Stars Item 7 table should show little or no rent, construction or leasehold improvement.
Equipment and start-up supplies. Expect balls, portable goals, cones, pinnies, coach uniforms and marketing materials, plus a computer for scheduling. These are modest costs.
Opening costs and working capital. Training travel, insurance, coach background checks, local marketing and payroll before enrollment covers it. Treat the Item 7 “additional funds” line as a floor, not a target.
Total investment. The Item 7 total is the starting point for sizing your loan. Make sure your request ties to each line item and that your own reserves cover any gap.
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Loan
Royalty. Item 6 explains how the royalty is calculated, whether it is a percentage of revenue or a fixed amount, and when it is paid.
Brand or marketing fund. Check whether there is a system-wide marketing contribution and a separate local marketing requirement.
Technology fees. Item 6 lists any required fee for registration or scheduling software.
How lenders factor them in. A lender subtracts royalties, fund contributions, coach payroll, insurance and software from projected revenue, then measures what is left against the loan payment. Because sessions run on school-year and seasonal cycles, the lender will also look at your weakest months, not only your annual total.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
We could not verify published minimum net worth or liquid capital figures for Soccer Stars on franchisor pages, so ask the franchise development team and confirm in the FDD. Expect the franchisor to look for:
- Enough liquid funds to cover the franchise fee, start-up costs and several months of operating expenses
- Ability to recruit, train and schedule part-time coaches
- A plan to sell programs to schools and enroll families in your territory
- A clean background check, since the business serves children
Use the time between receiving the FDD and signing to line up financing.
Ways to Own a Soccer Stars
A new territory. Financing covers the franchise fee, gear, vehicle needs, marketing and working capital while you sign partner sites. See our options for financing a new education or enrichment business.
Buying an existing territory. Established Soccer Stars territories do change hands. A resale brings partner-site relationships, trained coaches and enrollment history, which gives a lender real numbers to review. Learn about acquisition financing for education businesses.
Additional territories or brands. Because the franchisor offers a multi-territory, multi-brand path, an owner who succeeds in one area may add a neighboring territory or a second youth sports concept. Each step is underwritten on the results of what you already run.
Financing Options for a Soccer Stars Franchise
SBA 7(a) loans. An SBA 7(a) loan is the most flexible fit. It can combine the franchise fee, equipment, a vehicle and working capital in one loan, or fund the purchase of an existing territory.
SBA 504 loans. The SBA 504 program finances owner-occupied real estate and long-lived fixed assets. A Soccer Stars territory rarely needs either, so 504 usually is not the right tool here.
Conventional term loans. Borrowers with strong credit and collateral outside the business may qualify for conventional business loans, which can be simpler for smaller requests or a second territory.
Equipment and vehicle financing. A cargo van or SUV for hauling goals and gear, plus portable equipment, can sometimes be financed on its own. See franchise equipment financing and leasing.
Working capital and lines of credit. Enrollment rises and falls with the school year, summer camps and outdoor weather. A line of credit or reserve covers coach payroll and marketing before a new season’s registrations arrive. Explore working capital for education businesses and our article on managing seasonal cash flow.
Seller financing on resales. When you buy an existing territory, the seller may agree to carry part of the price. Seller notes are typically subordinate to the senior loan, and SBA program rules may limit how they are structured. Read more about seller financing for education businesses.
SBA Loans for Soccer Stars Franchisees
SBA-guaranteed loans are made by participating lenders, not by the SBA itself. For franchise borrowers, the SBA Franchise Directory tells lenders which brands’ agreements have been reviewed for eligibility.
Directory listing. Soccer Stars appears on the SBA Franchise Directory under code S7707 with no additional notes. That means a lender does not need special addenda or workarounds tied to the brand’s documents. A listing is not an endorsement of the brand and does not guarantee a loan approval.
Program size. The SBA 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million, though program rules can change.
Application tips. Prepare a personal financial statement, recent tax returns, a resume showing management or coaching experience, the FDD and a business plan with month-by-month projections. Our SBA loan calculator can help estimate payments for planning, and our article on SBA loans for educational businesses walks through the process in more detail.
How Lenders Evaluate a Soccer Stars Deal
Personal credit and financial history. With little collateral in the business, a lender leans on your credit history, tax returns and a personal guarantee.
Net worth and liquidity. Lenders expect an equity injection and reserves left after closing.
Industry and management experience. Background in coaching, teaching, childcare, youth sports administration or sales to schools strengthens an application. So does experience hiring and managing part-time staff.
Business plan and projections. Projections should show how many partner sites you plan to sign, how many sessions and children each can support, coach pay per session, seasonal dips and the royalty and fund contributions from Item 6. Lenders discount plans that assume full schedules right away.
The FDD and franchise agreement. Lenders review Item 17 for the term, renewal and transfer conditions, Item 10 for any franchisor financing and Item 19 for whether the franchisor makes financial performance representations. Also read Items 3 and 4 with your attorney. Our article on how lenders read an FDD covers the sections underwriters focus on.
Partner sites and permits. In place of a lease, a lender may ask how you secure fields and gyms. Written school agreements and park permits carry more weight than informal arrangements.
Historical financials on a resale. For an existing territory, expect to provide revenue by season, enrollment counts, partner-site lists and tax returns.
Gear, Vehicles and Insurance
A Soccer Stars business is equipment-light but not equipment-free. Portable goals, balls, cones and training aids wear out and need replacing, and coaches need uniforms. A reliable vehicle to move gear between sites is often the largest single physical asset.
When buying an existing territory, inventory the gear and check the vehicle’s condition. Lenders also confirm liability insurance that meets franchisor and partner-site requirements, because coaching children at public sites carries real risk.
Multi-Unit Growth and Additional Territories
Growth in this model usually means a second territory or a second youth sports brand under the same franchisor. Lenders typically want to see the first territory covering its own costs and debt before financing the next. They will also ask whether your coaching pool and management time can stretch across a larger area.
Keep separate books for each territory so a lender can see how each performs.
Soccer Stars Franchise Loan Scenarios
A former teacher starting a new territory. A teacher with ties to local schools uses an SBA 7(a) loan for the franchise fee, gear and working capital, and includes letters of interest from schools.
A buyer acquiring an established territory. A buyer purchases a territory with existing school and park programs. The lender underwrites on seasonal revenue and enrollment history, and the seller carries a subordinated note.
An owner adding a second brand. An owner with a steady Soccer Stars schedule adds another youth sports concept from the same franchisor, using a conventional loan supported by the first business’s results.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Signing the franchise agreement before reviewing Items 5, 6, 7 and 17 of the FDD
- Projecting full schedules at every partner site in the first season
- Underestimating coach payroll, background checks and insurance
- Ignoring summer and winter dips when planning loan payments
- Relying on verbal agreements with schools or parks
- Leaving too little working capital after paying the franchise fee
For more pitfalls, see the education business loan mistakes that cost owners the most.
Next Steps to Finance Your Soccer Stars Franchise
Step 1: Request the FDD. Contact the franchisor and review the full document with a franchise attorney and accountant.
Step 2: Talk with current owners. Ask how long it took to sign partner sites and how enrollment changes by season.
Step 3: Map your territory. List schools, preschools, parks and community centers you can approach.
Step 4: Build your projections. Use the Item 7 total, Item 6 fees and a conservative enrollment ramp.
Step 5: Gather your documents. Personal financial statement, tax returns, resume, business plan and the FDD.
Step 6: Compare financing options. Weigh SBA 7(a), conventional and vehicle financing with a financing specialist.
Step 7: Close and launch. Complete training, sign your first partner sites and keep a cash reserve through your first full season.
Soccer Stars Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does a Soccer Stars franchise cost?
The total estimated initial investment appears in Item 7 of the current FDD. Because there is no storefront to build, it is typically far lower than for a franchise that needs real estate.
What is the Soccer Stars franchise fee?
Item 5 of the FDD lists the initial franchise fee and any discounts for additional territories.
What royalty does Soccer Stars charge?
Item 6 lists the royalty, any brand fund contribution and other recurring fees.
How much liquid capital or net worth do I need?
We could not verify published minimums. Ask the franchisor, and plan for enough cash to cover your equity injection and several months of expenses.
Is Soccer Stars eligible for SBA loans?
Yes. Soccer Stars is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory under code S7707 with no additional notes. Each loan still depends on the borrower and the lender’s approval.
Can I buy an existing Soccer Stars territory?
Yes, with franchisor approval. A resale gives a lender real revenue and enrollment history to review, and the seller may carry part of the price.
Can a first-time business owner qualify?
Yes, if the franchisor approves you and you meet the lender’s credit and equity standards. Coaching, teaching or management experience helps.
Can I own more than one territory?
The franchisor describes a path to start with one territory and expand. Lenders usually finance the next territory once the first is stable.
Does Soccer Stars offer financing?
Check Item 10 of the FDD, which discloses any direct or indirect financing the franchisor offers.
How long is the Soccer Stars franchise term?
Item 17 of the FDD lists the term, renewal rights and transfer conditions. Your loan term should fit within the franchise term.
What documents do I need to apply?
A personal financial statement, tax returns, resume, business plan with projections, the FDD and franchise agreement, and any partner-site agreements you already have.
Final Thoughts
A Soccer Stars franchise loan is usually a modest request for a business with low overhead and little collateral. Get the FDD early, build a realistic enrollment ramp, budget for coaches, insurance and seasonal swings, and show a lender how you will fill your schedule.
US Professional Funding helps franchise owners finance start-ups, acquisitions, equipment and working capital. Learn more about our franchise financing programs and financing for educational services businesses.
