Introduction
Understanding the importance of financial statements in the franchise loan process is crucial for business success. This guide will explore how these documents can impact your loan application.
What Are Business Financial Statements?
First, it’s important to determine what a Business financial statement is and why it’s important for an operator aiming to acquire franchise funding. In a nutshell, business financial statements are formal records of the financial activities and the financial position of a business. They include the balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement.
A helpful hint: This statement is easily procured using Loan Mantra’s financial technology platform, and at no cost to you. In just a few simple steps, a franchisee can input their financial information and upload important documents on our platform. Franchisors can vet and prequalify their franchisees according to the information shared in the financial statements and against their own FDD (franchise disclosure document). Alternatively, you can work with a banker to create your BFS (business financial statement).
Types of Financial Statements
Franchise financing relies heavily on financial statements to provide a clear picture of a business’s health, stability, and potential for success. Key types of financial statements and their significance include:
1. Income Statement (Profit and Loss Statement)
The income statement shows your company’s revenue, expenses, and profit over a specific period. It helps lenders understand:
- Profitability: How well the business generates profit from operations.
- Expense Management: Patterns in costs, including franchise fees, royalties, and operational expenses.
- Revenue Trends: Seasonal or growth trends that may affect your ability to repay loans.
2. Balance Sheet
A balance sheet is the snapshot of your company's financial condition (or your assets, liabilities and equities) at a specific point in time. Lenders use it to assess:
- Financial Stability: Whether the business has a healthy balance of assets and liabilities.
- Debt Levels: The franchise’s ability to manage existing debts alongside new financing.
- Net Worth: Your overall financial standing, including working capital availability.
3. Cash Flow Statement
This statement tracks the movement of cash into and out of the business, divided into operating, investing, and financing activities. It’s critical for:
- Loan Repayment: Confirming sufficient cash flow to meet loan obligations.
- Operational Health: Identifying whether daily operations generate positive cash flow.
- Liquidity: Ensuring the franchise has adequate cash to handle unexpected expenses.
4. Owner’s Personal Financial Statement
Lenders generally require a personal financial statement from the owner, showing personal assets, liabilities, and credit history. It helps lenders evaluate:
- Owner’s Creditworthiness: This means you, or the individual seeking the loan, can provide a personal guarantee or collateral.
- Financial Backing: The owner’s ability to support the business in lean times.
Why These Statements Matter
For franchise financing, financial statements serve as the foundation for risk assessment. They allow lenders to:
- Determine whether the franchise is profitable and sustainable.
- Ensure the business can handle loan repayments alongside other obligations.
- Verify that the franchise aligns with industry benchmarks and lender criteria.
Ultimately, accurate and well-prepared financial statements are critical for franchisees seeking funding. They become requisite evidence for a lender who is trying to get your loan approved, and demonstrate your professionalism and readiness for business growth as a borrower.
A helpful hint: Save, create, and update these statements on Loan Mantra. Franchisees and franchisors can work together and collaborate with financial institutions in real time.
Why Lenders Require Financial Statements
Lenders require business financial statements to assess the viability, stability, and profitability of your business. No different than an X-ray or scan for a medical professional, these documents provide a clear picture of your business’s financial health. Just as a doctor diagnoses the body, these documents help lenders evaluate the risk associated with the loan, including the company’s ability to repay the loan. Here are the key reasons:
- Assessment of Cash Flow: Financial statements, including income statements and cash flow reports, allow lenders to verify whether the franchise generates sufficient revenue to cover loan repayments, operating expenses, and future growth needs.
- Risk Evaluation: Balance sheets provide details about the franchise’s assets, liabilities, and equity, helping lenders understand the financial strength and long-term stability of the business.
- Profitability Insight: By examining historical performance, lenders determine whether the franchise is consistently profitable (including net profit and retained earnings) or if there are fluctuations that might affect repayment reliability.
- Creditworthiness: Lenders use financial statements to gauge the borrower’s creditworthiness by identifying trends in revenue, debt management, and operational efficiency. This is the most personal consideration as it relates to who you are as a borrower and your capacity to operate the business unit.
- Franchise-Specific Considerations: Financial statements highlight alignment with franchise agreements, royalty obligations, and the overall market performance of the brand. (A helpful hint: Loan Mantra’s deep bench of lenders has expertise in franchise finance. We can provide an ideal match between a financial institution and your loan request).
- Compliance and Transparency: Providing accurate financial statements demonstrates your professionalism and commitment to transparency, which strengthens lender confidence. (A helpful hint: Working together with a lender in our platform encourages utmost transparency for you and your partners. It reduces the time, money, and resources it generally takes to get your loan closed).
Preparing Your Financial Statements
Ensure your financial statements are up-to-date and accurately reflect your business's financial status. When preparing financial statements, borrowers generally make some common mistakes. Here are the pitfalls to avoid in order to secure future financing:
- Inaccurate Data: Misreporting revenues, expenses, or assets undermines your credibility. Errors can arise from poor recordkeeping or lack of attention to detail. Your records should always be correct.
- Incomplete Statements: Missing key documents, like cash flow statements or balance sheets, leaves lenders without the full picture of your financial health. As a borrower, make sure you equip them with everything they could need and give them no reason to pass on your application.
- Overlooked Adjustments: Failure to account for depreciation, amortization, or other adjustments skews financial accuracy.
- Lack of Professional Help: Attempting complex financial preparation without expert advice can result in mistakes that deter lenders.
A helpful hint: Consider consulting with a financial advisor for expert guidance. The experts at Loan Mantra can work with you in real time to help you avoid these common challenges. Accurate, comprehensive statements boost loan approval chances.
Conclusion
Business financial statements play a pivotal role in securing franchise loans. By maintaining accurate and detailed records, you can improve your chances of obtaining the necessary funding to grow your business. At Loan Mantra, we’re here to help you grow your franchise through the best possible products, terms and rates available.