Key Takeaways
- R-1 holders can purchase franchises — no green card or citizenship required
- Franchise fee, buildout, equipment, and working capital all fundable
- SBA franchise loans now require citizenship — Bankable fills the gap
- Many faith-community franchisees operate service, food, and care franchises
- 48-hour approval decision based on revenue, not immigration status
Franchise ownership is one of the most common business models pursued by immigrant religious workers and their families. The franchise system provides a proven business model, brand recognition, training, and supply chain support — reducing the startup risk that comes with building a business from scratch. For the spouse of a Korean Presbyterian minister who wants to open a Kumon tutoring franchise, or the family of a Nigerian Pentecostal pastor seeking a cleaning services franchise, Bankable provides the capital pathway that SBA loans no longer offer.
The SBA Franchise Loan Gap
Before March 2026, many immigrant franchise buyers used SBA loans to fund their franchise purchase. The SBA franchise loan was a cornerstone product: up to $5M, government-backed rates, long repayment terms. The March 2026 citizenship rule eliminated this option for R-1 holders and most non-citizens. Bankable's revenue-based funding and equipment financing programs fill this gap for franchise buyers who cannot meet the SBA's new citizenship requirement.
What Franchise Funding Covers
- Franchise fee: The initial fee paid to the franchisor for territorial rights and licensing
- Leasehold improvements: Buildout of your franchise location to brand standards
- Equipment package: Franchisor-required equipment (often available as equipment financing)
- Initial inventory: Starting inventory stock for food, retail, or service franchises
- Working capital reserve: 3–6 months of operating capital to bridge the ramp-up period
- Training costs: Travel and accommodation for initial franchisor training programs
- Marketing contributions: Initial local marketing launch required by franchise agreement
Faith-Community Franchise Preferences
Faith communities show clustering around specific franchise categories. Educational franchises — Kumon, Sylvan Learning, Club Z — are popular among Korean, Chinese, and Indian Christian communities with strong educational values. Senior care franchises — Home Instead, Comfort Keepers, BrightSpring — attract Filipino communities with strong caregiving cultural traditions. Cleaning and facility services franchises — Jan-Pro, Coverall, ServiceMaster — are common among Nigerian and Ghanaian Pentecostal communities. Food franchises in halal-certifiable categories attract Muslim community investors.
| Franchise Category | Typical Total Investment | Bankable Funding Range |
|---|---|---|
| Educational/tutoring | $75K–$200K | $50K–$150K |
| Senior/home care | $100K–$250K | $75K–$200K |
| Cleaning services | $15K–$80K | $15K–$75K |
| Food service (QSR) | $200K–$500K | $100K–$400K |
| Fitness/wellness | $150K–$400K | $100K–$300K |
For existing franchise owners seeking capital for a second location, see our second location funding page. For buyers specifically replacing rejected SBA applications, see our post-SBA-rejection program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. R-1 visa holders can legally own a business (including a franchise) as long as they are not working in that business in violation of their visa conditions. Typically, an R-1 holder's spouse (with separate work authorization) or other family members own and operate the franchise. Bankable provides funding without a citizenship requirement.
Bankable's revenue-based funding and equipment financing programs are the primary alternatives. For new franchise buyers without existing revenue, equipment financing secured by franchise assets combined with working capital funding covers most of what an SBA loan previously funded.
Bankable typically funds 60–80% of the total franchise investment. Most franchises also require the buyer to demonstrate liquid capital (often 20–30% of total investment) as a franchisor requirement. Bankable funds the gap beyond your liquid assets, or supplements other funding sources.
Franchisors typically review your financing as part of franchise approval. Bankable can provide a funding commitment letter for franchisor review. Bankable's non-SBA revenue-based funding is accepted by most major franchisors as valid proof of financing.
For an existing franchise with revenue history, the process takes 3–7 business days. For a new franchise purchase (no existing revenue), we evaluate the business plan, franchise disclosure document (FDD), and your personal financial profile. New franchise funding typically takes 5–10 business days.
Yes. Multi-unit franchise expansion is a common use of Bankable funding. If your existing location has at least 6 months of operating history and consistent revenue, that performance record is the primary basis for funding your second location — even before the second location opens.
For revenue-based working capital, a general business lien is the primary collateral. Equipment financing uses the franchise equipment as collateral. We do not require personal real estate pledges, which is significant for R-1 holders who may not own US real property.
Educational franchises (Kumon, Mathnasium, Sylvan), senior care franchises (Home Instead, Comfort Keepers), commercial cleaning (Jan-Pro, Coverall), and food service franchises in halal-compatible categories are the most common among faith-community investors connected to R-1 visa holders.