Smart Funding Strategies - With Shay Kleinschmidt Artwork

The Franchise Hot Seat Podcast with Dr. John P. Hayes - Director, Titus Center for Franchising

Internationally recognized speaker, personal business coach and Amazon best-selling franchise author Dr. John Hayes offers an honest look at everything involved in researching, evaluating and purchasing a franchise business. On this podcast, Dr. John P Hayes interviews Franchisors, Franchisees, and has solo episodes giving valuable advice in the Franchise Industry. Since 1979, John Hayes has worked in the franchise community as a consultant, franchisee and franchisor. He’s one of an elite group worldwide that has actually owned and operated franchises, including serving as CEO of a major American franchisor company, and advised franchisors and franchisees. He is the author of several franchise-related books and countless articles that have appeared in media worldwide. Dr. Hayes has served for many years as an advisor to franchisors, franchisees and small business owners internationally. His areas of expertise include management development, marketing, customer service, training and strategic planning. He is the author or co-author of 18 non-fiction books including Franchising: The Inside Story, Start Small, Finish Big, You Can’t Teach A Kid To Ride A Bike At A Seminar, and most recently Buy “Hot” Franchises Without Getting Burned. Keywords: franchise tax board , chick fil a franchise , the franchise guy , best franchise to own , franchise business , buying a franchise , franchise opportunities , opening a franchise , owning a franchise

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The Franchise Hot Seat Podcast with Dr. John P. Hayes - Director, Titus Center for Franchising

Smart Funding Strategies - With Shay Kleinschmidt

August 04, 2025 • Dr. John P Hayes • Season 1 • Episode 63

DESCRIPTION:

John Hayes, host of Franchise Hot Seat, interviews Shay Kleinschmidt, Vice President

of Funding at Fran Fund, a company based in Fort Worth, Texas, that provides

funding solutions to franchisees nationwide. Kleinschmidt discusses the changing

franchising landscape, stressing the importance of early and tailored funding

strategies. She also highlights the role of AI in enhancing lending processes,

including a lender match system that matches client profiles with appropriate

lenders. The discussion encompasses various funding products such as SBA loans,

the rollover 401k program (ROBS), and traditional non-SBA loans. Kleinschmidt

outlines the process of obtaining an SBA loan, indicating that approval typically

takes between 30 and 120 days depending on the type of business. She emphasizes

the need for potential investors to understand the franchise disclosure document

(FDD) and supports calls with existing franchisees. The episode highlights Fran

Fund's role in helping clients navigate the complexities of securing franchise

funding.

- With Shay Kleinschmidt.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:59 How tech changed franchise lending?

01:59 When to start funding talks?

03:02 Most popular loan products?

05:35 Best alternative lending options?

12:33 Typical borrowing costs/fees?

15:47 How economy impacts franchising?

20:51 SBA franchise approval process?

24:41 Hottest franchise categories now?

30:35 Best advice for new franchisees?

LINKS:

WEBSITE: http://franchisehotseats.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjohnhayes/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/drjohnhayes

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Howtobuyafranchise

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hayesjph/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johnphayesfranchise

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/DrJohnHayes/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/franchisehotseatpodcast