7-Eleven Franchise Loan

Being one of the most established brands in the world and a leader in petrol and convenience stores, 7-Eleven is a favoured franchise of many lenders.

We can help you qualify for a 7-Eleven franchise loan and borrow up to 100% of the franchise costs.

How much can I borrow?

In order to purchase a 7-Eleven franchise, the lender can’t lend against the business value so you need to use a residential or commercial property as security.

• Residential property as security: Borrow up up to 80% of the total franchise costs of a new or existing shop.
• Commercial property as security: Borrow up up to 60% of the total franchise costs.
• Loan term: 10 years as per the franchise agreement or lease agreement (whichever is shorter).
• Loan term with the property as security: 25 to 30 years (standard loan term).
• Interest only: Typically 2 years.
• Discounted interest rates available.
• Low doc options not available.

There are two ways to get a great deal on your 7-Eleven franchise loan!

Firstly, having experience and a solid business plan can give you a better chance of getting approved and a better chance for us to negotiate a sharp interest on your behalf.

Secondly, by using existing equity in a residential owner occupied or investment property that you own, you can borrow upwards of 100% of the franchise costs!

Call us on 1300 889 743 or complete our free assessment form and discover if you qualify for a 7-Eleven franchise loan.

How will the banks assess my application?

Like applying for any other type of business loan, getting approved will require you to paint a picture of yourself as a business that has a solid plan in place to run a 7-Eleven store well into the future.

Ultimately, the bank wants to be reassured that you can earn a steady income from the business over the long-term so you can continue to make your franchise loan repayments.

What they’ll generally want to see is that you have at least 3-5 years retail experience in a store of similar-size, preferably in a service station or convenience store.

Specifically, they’ll want to know that you’ve actually been a management position and have effectively managed the financial side of the business well. They may even ask for references, a requirement of buying a franchise from 7-Eleven (explained further down the page).

Although the policy around commercial loans is grey and flexible, to the bank the deal has to make sense so having no experience in budgeting, customer service or managing stock may hurt your application.

What else will they assess?

• Your business plan: It’s one thing to have passed experience but you’ll also need to present cash flow projections, revenue forecasts and the reasoning behind store location as part of a larger business plan. Banks have specialist franchise teams that will be looking at your business plan carefully.
• Working capital: In most cases, the bank will want to see how much you’re planning to contribute so-called “hurt money” for the first few months of operations.

There may be a requirement that the franchise is generating a certain amount of earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) in relation to the interest payments on the loan but this will vary depending the lender we go with.

Can I hire a manager to run the store?

It’s actually a 7-Eleven franchise requirement that the owner is involved in the day-to-day running of the business.

However, you may be able to hire someone to manage additional stores if you intend to be a multi-site operator.

If you need finance to buy multiple sites, we can help you but the person you choose to manage the store will also need to have experience.

Buying a franchise isn’t a passive investment and will require you to be hands-on.

If you’d like to investment in a freehold commercial property instead, call us on 1300 889 743 or complete our free assessment form today.

Why speak to us?

Although 7-Eleven is an accredited franchise, it doesn’t mean that you’ll automatically get approved for 7-Eleven franchise loan.

The bank’s appetite for franchise businesses changes on a very infrequent basis: a store that was accredited 6 months ago may not on the list today.

At the very least, the amount you can borrow or the Loan to Value Ratios (LVRs) offered by lenders can change and much of this has to do with the amount of funds they allocate for particular franchises in any given year.

If they reach that target, you won’t be able to get a franchise business loan with that bank, however, there may be another lender that can help.

As a specialist mortgage broker, we know lender appetite for 7-Eleven franchises and can help you qualify for a loan with a lender that will offer you the most favourable terms.

So call us on 1300 889 743 or fill in our online enquiry form to speak to a franchise loan specialist today.

How does a 7-Eleven franchise work?

7-Eleven is one of the leading service station and convenience store operators in Australia, with 620 stores nationally.

In Australia alone, the company generates 180 million transactions a year amounting to $3.9 billion in sales and much of this on the backbone of its robust franchise system.

So how does it work?

The costs

The initial investment to buy a 7-Eleven franchise loan is between $400,000 – $1,000,000 including building and fit-out costs.

The upfront investment is broken up into the following areas:

• Application fee: $5,500 to cover the costs of administration, the initial training program and uniforms.
• Franchise fee: Either a fixed amount for a new store or a percentage of merchandise gross profit for the previous financial year for an existing store.
• Stock purchase: New franchisees will need to a make an upfront payment of $45,000 for existing merchandise stock.
• Goodwill (existing store only): The payment to be made to the departing franchisee will be decided through negotiation so it pays to hire a business broker and financial professional for help.

The great news is that there’s no royalty fee, which is often the case with other franchise models!

How much revenue can I make?

Think the initial investment for a 7-Eleven is over-the-top? Consider this.

Under the franchise agreement, you’re guaranteed yearly gross income of $310,000 for fuel stores and $340,000 for non-fuel stores.

This kind of income guarantee is simply unheard with most franchise systems but there’s more you should be aware of.

Fuel sales

You’ll receive 1.5 cents per litre of fuel sold.

Sales in merchandise

Although 7-Eleven can’t provide an exact dollar figure, they do provide percentages of your share of the profit in gross merchandise sales.

Specifically:

• $500,000 or less: You earn 50% and 7-Eleven charges 50%
• $500,001 to $1 million: You earn 47% and 7-Eleven charges 53%
• $1,000,001 and above: You earn 44% and 7-Eleven charges 56%

How much revenue can I make?

Think the initial investment for a 7-Eleven is over-the-top? Consider this.

Under the franchise agreement, you’re guaranteed yearly gross income of $310,000 for fuel stores and $340,000 for non-fuel stores.

This kind of income guarantee is simply unheard with most franchise systems but there’s more you should be aware of.

Fuel sales

You’ll receive 1.5 cents per litre of fuel sold.

Sales in merchandise

Although 7-Eleven can’t provide an exact dollar figure, they do provide percentages of your share of the profit in gross merchandise sales.

Specifically:

• $500,000 or less: You earn 50% and 7-Eleven charges 50%
• $500,001 to $1 million: You earn 47% and 7-Eleven charges 53%
• $1,000,001 and above: You earn 44% and 7-Eleven charges 56%

7-Eleven share in profits

One of the big points of difference with 7-Eleven compared to other franchise models is that they share in gross profits for the benefit of their franchisees.

What that means specifically is that some of their profit goes to, but is not limited to, the following:

• Your rent and outgoings
• Equipment purchase and maintenance
• Electricity, water and other utilities
• Point-of-sale systems
• Book-keeping
• Stock-taking
• Financial reports
• Equipment maintenance (you’ll still be responsible for daily cleaning)

Don’t I own the lease?

Unlike a normal business, you don’t own the lease as the franchisee.

Instead, 7-Eleven owns the head lease which essentially means that they actually lease the premises from the landlord and sub-lease it back to you as the business owner.

Banks like them because in the event that you default on the 7-Eleven franchise loan, you’re not primarily liable for the rent and outgoings of the leasehold. This means you have more stability as business owner.

How will 7-Eleven support my business?

Since opening its first store in Australia in 1977, 7-Eleven has continued to refine its franchise offering.

It will provide upfront and continuing support to you and your business in the following ways:

• Initial unpaid 10-week training program: With the cost inclusive of your application fee, you’ll learn 7-Eleven systems and processes to generate sales with classroom teaching and in-store experience.
• Book-keeping: 7-Eleven actually has a team to manage your approved expenses and merchandise purchases. They’ll also provide you with monthly financial statements and a quarterly BAS calculation sheet.
• Site-selection: They have a property team and merchandising expert that will help you choose a prime location and set up your store to generate maximum sales.
• Business Development Manager (BDM): This will be the district BDM dedicated to your store, who will visit your store every 2 weeks when you first get start and who is available to call 24/7.
• Payroll management: This will help you to meet all of the requirements of having staff including making superannuation contributions, workers entitlements, payslips and penalty rates.
• Buying power with suppliers: This means cheap stock for your store!
• Fuel management: This includes ordering and delivery, updating prices and pump maintenance.
• Marketing and advertising: National marketing reach and the help of a merchandising expert that will make sure promoted products are always stocked and displayed to achieve great sales.
• Security systems: The store fit-out includes security cameras, security doors, jump wires and panic alarms.

What’s the application process?

The process of becoming a 7-Eleven franchisee takes about 14 weeks.

Requirements

• 21 or older.
• Need be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
• Good English.
• Pass an Australian Federal Police check.
• Experience highly-valued but not a prerequisite.

The process

Make sure that you’ve been pre-approved for a 7-Eleven franchise loan before you sign the franchise agreement or pay your application fee.

• Complete the expression of interest form.
• Complete information request so they can run a background check.
• Interview with franchise development manager.
• Complete self-assessment survey.
• Work with the development manager to choose a store. You should ask the franchisee for their last 3 years business financials because it’s at this point that you’ll negotiate your goodwill fee.
• Second interview with development manager.
• Present a business plan that you have drafted with the help of your accountant. It should clearly go into detail on cash flow projections, your budget and how many staff you plan hire to operate the business.
• In-store experience to help identify your strengths and where you need more training to achieve the most out of your franchise.
• The state manager will need to approve your business plan to ensure that you’re the right fit for 7-Eleven.
• If you’re successful, you’ll then pay your application fee and begin your 10-week training course.
• During this period, store construction and fit-out will begin if you’ve been approved to run a new store.
• Sign the franchise/store agreement. Make sure you speak to your solicitor or another legal professional so you completely understand your rights, responsibilities and recourse options in becoming a 7-Eleven franchisee.

Once you open your store for business, a trainer will assist in daily operations for the first few days until you find your feet.

Call 1300 889 743 or complete our free assessment form to speak with one of our franchise loan specialists!