How to Finance a Sogility Franchise: Soccer Training Centers
By Marc Cornella
A Sogility franchise loan funds something most fitness lenders rarely see: an indoor, technology-driven soccer training facility built around data, gamified drills and credit-based memberships. Financing one means paying for a lease and build-out, specialized training technology and enough working capital to grow a membership base of young athletes and their families.
This article explains what Sogility is, what a buyer should expect to finance, how the brand’s SBA Franchise Directory listing and its notes affect borrowing, and how lenders typically underwrite a newer specialty training concept.
US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Sogility; 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 lender review and approval. Nothing here is legal, tax or investment advice. Review the current Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and franchise agreement with a qualified franchise attorney and accountant before you sign or borrow.
Sogility Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Concept: technology-driven soccer training for players of all ages and skill levels, with data feedback and gamified drills.
- Founded: 2018, according to the company.
- Training model: six training facets booked with membership credits, plus camps, clinics and other programs.
- Locations: the company website lists facilities in Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Georgia and Florida.
- Fees and investment: Sogility does not publish its franchise fee, royalty or initial investment on its website; they are disclosed in Items 5, 6 and 7 of its FDD.
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed (code S8499), with notes on the lease rider and lien positions explained below.
What Is Sogility?
Sogility was founded in 2018 by Chris McGrath, and in 2019 a local soccer coach and former school principal partnered with him to develop the player development curriculum, according to the company. Its stated goal is to bring the full scope of player development, technical, tactical, physical and mental, under one roof.
Sogility describes its approach as technology-driven training that pairs objective data with expert coaching. Drills are gamified so players compete against their own previous scores, and data provides instant feedback. The company’s newest facility pages describe features such as a ball launcher, touch and movement tracking, sprint tracking, live performance tagging and leaderboards. The company also uses its own training app to track player ratings and progress.
The six training facets. Sogility lists Technical Soccer Zone, TechTouch, Circuit Training, On The Ball, Athlete Development and Vision Training. Members choose a plan and use credits to book sessions across these facets on their own schedule.
Other revenue lines. Facility pages also list camps, clinics, leagues, tournaments, pickup soccer, private and semi-private training, a party room and facility rental. The company reports more than 10,000 athletes trained.
Footprint. Sogility’s website lists locations including Westfield and Indianapolis, Indiana; Medina and the Toledo area, Ohio; Livonia, Michigan; Fayetteville, Georgia; and Naples, Florida. A company announcement on its ownership group referred directly to the brand’s franchise expansion and invited readers to bring a Sogility franchise to their city.
How lenders see it. Lenders see an emerging specialty training brand with a recurring membership model and a clear niche in youth soccer. Because the system is young and its unit economics are not published, lenders lean heavily on the buyer’s own finances, the FDD and a conservative local business plan.
Sogility Franchise Costs
Sogility does not publish franchise costs on its website, so buyers must rely on the FDD. Here is what each category typically covers.
Initial franchise fee. Item 5 of the FDD states the fee, when it is due and whether any portion is refundable.
Real estate and build-out. A Sogility facility is an indoor, climate-controlled space with field areas for free play and scrimmages, training zones for each facet, and room for parties and camps. Build-out may include turf, netting, lighting, HVAC, restrooms and a front desk. Most operators lease.
Training technology and equipment. This is the brand’s signature cost: ball launchers, tracking systems, sensors, displays, leaderboards, software and conventional training gear. Ask the franchisor which items must be bought from designated sources and what technology fees apply.
Opening costs and working capital. Grand opening marketing, staff hiring and training, insurance, deposits and initial operating funds while memberships build. Item 7 states how many months of additional funds the estimate assumes.
Total investment. The full range appears in Item 7. When you review it, expect line items such as:
- Initial franchise fee
- Lease deposits and rent during build-out
- Leasehold improvements, turf and field construction
- Training technology, software and equipment
- Furniture, fixtures, signage and front-desk systems
- Grand opening marketing
- Training-related travel and expenses
- Insurance, licenses and permits
- Additional funds for the initial operating period
Compare the Item 7 total with your own contractor bids and landlord terms before you set your loan request.
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Loan
Item 6 of the FDD lists Sogility’s royalty, any brand or marketing fund contribution, technology and software fees, training fees for new staff, transfer and renewal fees and any required local marketing spend.
How lenders factor these in. Percentage royalties and marketing fees reduce the cash available for debt service, while flat technology fees add fixed costs from the first month. Lenders build projections that subtract every Item 6 fee, rent, payroll and utilities from membership and program revenue, then test whether the loan payment is still covered during a slow ramp-up. Model seasonal swings tied to school calendars and outdoor club seasons.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
Sogility’s website does not publish minimum net worth, liquid capital or experience requirements. Ask the franchise team directly and check the FDD and franchise application. Expect the franchisor to look for business or management experience, a connection to the local soccer community, the capital to fund a facility build-out and the ability to recruit coaches.
Lenders add their own standards: an equity injection, reserves after closing and a credible on-site leadership plan.
Ways to Own a Sogility
A new facility. Most buyers in a young system open a new location. Financing rests on projections, the lease and the buyer’s personal strength. See our fitness center start-up financing.
Buying an existing facility. If an operator sells, the buyer gets a member base, trained staff and installed technology. Lenders can underwrite the facility’s history, and the transfer requires Sogility’s approval. See our fitness center acquisition financing options.
Adding Sogility to an existing club or facility. Soccer clubs and sports facility owners may be natural candidates. An existing operator’s cash flow can strengthen a request, but the franchise agreement controls what can be combined, so confirm the structure with the franchisor.
Financing Options for a Sogility Franchise
SBA 7(a) loans. Because Sogility is on the SBA Franchise Directory, an SBA 7(a) loan can combine the franchise fee, build-out, technology, equipment and working capital in one package.
SBA 504 loans. Owners who buy the building for their facility may consider an SBA 504 loan for the real estate and long-lived improvements. The directory note on lease riders, explained below, is especially relevant in that case.
Conventional term loans. Buyers with strong liquidity or an existing sports business may use a conventional business loan, with structures and collateral that vary by lender.
Equipment financing. Ball launchers, tracking and sensor systems, displays, turf and training gear can often be financed separately, preserving cash for marketing and payroll. Learn more about fitness equipment financing and leasing.
Working capital and lines of credit. Pre-opening payroll, marketing and slow months between club seasons all draw on cash. A line of credit can smooth those gaps. See our fitness center working capital options.
Seller financing on resales. A seller may agree to carry part of the price. Any seller note must be acceptable to the senior lender and is typically subordinate to it, and loan programs may limit how it is structured.
SBA Loans for Sogility Franchisees
The SBA Franchise Directory lists brands whose agreements have been reviewed for SBA eligibility, and SBA lenders generally require a listing before making an SBA-guaranteed loan to a franchisee. A listing does not approve any borrower.
Sogility’s listing and notes. Sogility appears under code S8499 with two notes:
- Lease rider: when the real estate where the franchise is located will secure the SBA-guaranteed loan, the lease rider may not be executed. In plain English, a lease rider protects a lender when the franchisee rents its space. If the borrower owns the property and pledges it as collateral, that rider does not apply.
- Lien position: the lender or certified development company must secure the appropriate lien position on all collateral under SBA rules. This is a reminder that the franchisor’s rights cannot undercut the lender’s security interest.
Neither note blocks SBA financing; they tell lenders how to document the loan. Directory status can change, so confirm the listing with your lender when you apply.
Loan size. The SBA 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million, though program rules can change. Our article on SBA loans for gyms and fitness centers covers how these programs fit training facilities, and our SBA loan calculator gives planning estimates only, not an offer or approval.
How Lenders Evaluate a Sogility 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. In a young system, lenders want a meaningful equity contribution and reserves that can carry the facility through its ramp-up.
Industry and management experience. Experience running a club, sports facility, gym or youth program helps, as does a plan to recruit qualified coaches.
Business plan and projections. Build membership growth from local youth soccer participation, club partnerships, camps and rentals. Model credit-based memberships, seasonality and every Item 6 fee.
The FDD and franchise agreement. Lenders read Items 5, 6 and 7 for costs, Item 10 for financing and Item 17 for term, renewal and transfer. Check Item 19 to see whether the FDD includes financial performance representations, and review Items 3, 4 and 20 for background and system size. Our guide to how lenders read a Franchise Disclosure Document explains more.
Site and lease. Lenders want a lease term at least as long as the loan, renewal options, a clear tenant improvement plan and space that suits indoor field play. Read our gym lease guide before negotiating.
Historical financials for resales. Expect to provide profit and loss statements, membership and attrition reports and tax returns.
Technology and Facility Deep Dive
Sogility’s technology is both its selling point and its biggest underwriting question. Lenders will ask what each system costs, whether it is owned or licensed, how long it lasts, who services it and what happens if it needs to be replaced. Equipment that is owned can serve as collateral; software and licensed systems usually cannot.
Ask the franchisor for a full technology list, warranty terms and ongoing software fees, and build replacement reserves into your Sogility franchise loan projections.
Multi-Unit Growth and Development
Owners who open one facility successfully may want to add another in the same metro area. Ask Sogility about development agreements, territory protection and the schedule for additional openings, and confirm the terms in the FDD. Lenders typically finance a second location once the first shows stable membership and positive cash flow, often combining the operating history of both in one request.
Real-World Scenarios
A former club director opening a first facility. A long-time youth club director signs a franchise agreement, leases a light-industrial building and uses an SBA 7(a) loan to fund build-out, technology and working capital, with club partnerships documented in the business plan.
A sports complex adding Sogility. An indoor sports complex owner uses existing cash flow to support a conventional loan and finances the technology separately.
An owner buying the building. A franchisee buys a building and uses an SBA 504 loan for the real estate. Because the real estate secures the loan, the directory’s lease rider note applies.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Borrowing before reviewing Items 5, 6 and 7 of the FDD
- Underestimating build-out costs for indoor field space
- Ignoring seasonality tied to school and club calendars
- Treating licensed software as if it were loan collateral
- Signing a lease shorter than the loan term
- Opening without enough working capital to build memberships
For more pitfalls, read the fitness center loan mistakes that cost owners the most.
Next Steps to Finance Your Sogility Franchise
Step 1: Request the FDD. Review it with a franchise attorney and accountant.
Step 2: Confirm the franchisor’s requirements. Ask about net worth, liquidity, experience and territory.
Step 3: Talk with a financing specialist early. Learn how a Sogility franchise loan would be sized and structured.
Step 4: Find a site. Get contractor bids and negotiate lease terms that match your financing.
Step 5: Build your business plan. Tie membership, camps and rentals to your local soccer community.
Step 6: Apply, close and open. Keep lender and franchisor timelines aligned, then keep working capital in reserve.
Sogility Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does a Sogility franchise cost?
Sogility does not publish its investment on its website. The full estimate appears in Item 7 of the current FDD.
What is the Sogility franchise fee and royalty?
They are disclosed in Items 5 and 6 of the FDD rather than on the company website.
How much liquid capital or net worth do I need?
Sogility does not publish minimums online. Ask the franchise team, and expect lenders to require an equity contribution and reserves.
Is Sogility eligible for SBA loans?
Yes. Sogility is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory under code S8499, with notes on the lease rider and lien position. Approval depends on the borrower.
Does Sogility offer financing?
Review Item 10 of the FDD for any franchisor financing.
Can I finance the training technology separately?
Often, yes. Owned equipment can be financed separately or within an SBA package, though licensed software usually cannot serve as collateral.
Can I buy the building with an SBA loan?
An SBA 504 or 7(a) loan may finance owner-occupied real estate. In that case, the directory’s lease rider note applies.
How long is the Sogility franchise term?
Check Item 17 of the current FDD for term, renewal and transfer conditions.
Does the FDD include financial performance information?
Check Item 19 of the current FDD to see whether it includes financial performance representations.
Final Thoughts
Financing a Sogility facility combines a fitness-style lease and build-out with an unusually technology-heavy equipment package. Buyers who get the FDD early, budget carefully for build-out and technology, and plan for a membership ramp-up can use the brand’s SBA Franchise Directory listing to build a strong Sogility franchise loan request.
US Professional Funding helps franchise owners and buyers finance startups, acquisitions, equipment and working capital. Learn more about our franchise financing and fitness center financing solutions.
