ApplePie Capital

ApplePie Capital is one of the best-known specialty lenders focused exclusively on franchise financing, having funded more than $3 billion in loans across partnerships with 200-plus franchise brands. It arranges SBA, conventional, and equipment financing either through its own broker subsidiary placing loans with third-party lenders, or through proprietary ApplePie-branded loan products (the Core Loan and Spring Loan) via a bank partner — covering new-unit development, acquisitions, refinancing, equipment and remodel financing, and multi-unit roll-outs. Because it underwrites specifically around franchise brand performance rather than treating every borrower as a generic small business, franchisees of brands ApplePie already has a relationship with may see a faster, more tailored process than a general SBA lender. Compare its terms against a direct SBA 7(a) lender like Live Oak Bank, since franchise-specialist underwriting can come with its own rate and fee structure.

Reviewed by Miles Sutherland, Vendors & Equipment Editor