Franchise funding
In a service franchise, the truck is the store. Here is how to fund the down payment, the wrap and the next vehicle for a growing territory.
✓ Merchant Fund Express starts with a soft credit pull. Terms depend on your business's revenue and history.
Updated October 21, 2026 · Merchant Fund Express
Already running a franchise and need another van, box truck or delivery car? Merchant Fund Express funds existing franchise owners for vehicle purchases and down payments, upfit and wraps, and fleet growth across a territory. A vehicle with a dealer quote fits an equipment-financing structure; the down payment, the wrap and the first weeks of a new crew fit working capital.
For many service concepts the vehicle is the revenue: no truck, no jobs. The common fleets:
Most systems require a brand wrap and a consistent vehicle type, so the cost of a vehicle includes the graphics and the upfit, not only the sticker price.
| Need | Product that fits | What the review leans on | Read next |
|---|---|---|---|
| New or used van or truck with a dealer quote | Equipment financing style | The vehicle is the purpose; quote and useful life | Equipment financing |
| Down payment the dealer requires | Working capital | Short, one-time cash need | Vehicle down payment funding |
| Brand wrap, shelving, upfit | Working capital or included in the quote | Upfitter invoice | Working capital |
| Major repair on an existing truck | Line of credit draw | Recurring maintenance pattern | Line of credit |
| Second truck plus a new crew's first payrolls | Term loan or revenue-based financing | Deposits of the operating unit | Revenue-based financing |
For the general vehicle guide, read funding a vehicle or truck purchase. Revenue-based financing is repaid from a share of revenue or fixed payments sized to revenue; it is not a loan.
A territory grows by trucks. Each new vehicle usually means a new technician or crew, and the revenue from that truck takes a few weeks to show up in deposits. Merchant Fund Express looks at what the existing trucks already produce:
Owners adding a whole new territory rather than a truck should read funding a second franchise location.
A hypothetical cleaning-and-restoration franchise with 3 trucks wants a fourth.
| Line | Figure |
|---|---|
| Used box van, dealer quote | $48,000 |
| Truck-mount extraction unit and install | $22,000 |
| Brand wrap and shelving | $6,500 |
| Down payment required by dealer (15% of van) | $48,000 x 0.15 = $7,200 |
| First 4 weeks of the new crew's payroll | $9,600 |
| Cash needed outside the vehicle financing | $7,200 + $6,500 + $9,600 = $23,300 |
If the existing trucks average $26,000 a month each in deposits, the new truck needs a few weeks of jobs before it carries itself. Funding the $23,300 gap with working capital and the van and truck mount with equipment-style financing keeps the long asset on a long term.
Figures in this example are illustrations of the arithmetic, not an offer, quote or approval. Real terms depend on the file and the funder.
No tax returns for a typical first review. Sole proprietors are eligible, and ITIN applicants are accepted.
Merchant Fund Express counts every existing truck payment, lease and advance, then sizes the new payment after royalties, ad fund debits and payroll. If a current advance is taking too much each day, a new structure can lower the payment, which often frees the room needed for the next vehicle. Terms depend on the business's revenue and history; amounts run from $25,000 to $5,000,000 overall.
Yes. A down payment is a short cash need that fits working capital, with a same-day decision on a complete file.
Yes. Wraps, shelving and upfit are part of the cost of putting a brand-standard vehicle on the road and can be funded.
Yes. Send the seller or dealer quote with year, mileage and VIN so the useful life is clear.
No. Merchant Fund Express reads royalty and ad fund debits as normal recurring costs and sizes the payment after them.
Funding needs an operating history. Read the existing vs new franchise funding guide for the right path.
Usually the entity that owns the franchise unit. Apply through that entity so the deposits and the vehicle match.
Merchant Fund Express reviews your location's revenue, deposits and existing payments. Same-day decision on a complete file; funding often the next business day. About five minutes to apply.
