Yes, Steelhaven Funding brokers SBA loans for franchises in Billings, provided your brand appears on the SBA franchise registry. We connect franchise buyers and existing owners to SBA 7(a) lenders who understand franchise lending, navigating the registry, Item 19 disclosures, and the multi-party approval process so you can open or expand with confidence and transparent cost expectations from day one.
Franchise financing combines the complexity of real-estate-heavy retail or restaurant buildouts with the paperwork demands of multi-party approvals. In Billings, where commercial lease rates along Grand Avenue and King Avenue West vary widely and landlords often require personal guarantees, franchise buyers juggle franchisor requirements, SBA registry compliance, and lender underwriting simultaneously. Many national franchise lenders lack familiarity with Montana's Uniform Commercial Code filings or Yellowstone County recording fees, creating delays that push back grand-opening dates. Steelhaven Funding eliminates those roadblocks by matching you to sba franchise lenders who close Montana deals regularly, then walking you through every document, timeline milestone, and cost line item before you sign.
Loan programs
SBA 7(a) loans remain the gold standard for franchise lending because they finance up to 90 percent of project costs, including franchise fees, equipment, leasehold improvements, and three months of working capital. Whether you're launching a quick-service restaurant near Billings Logan International Airport or a fitness concept in the West End, the 7(a) program covers both startup and acquisition scenarios. We also broker commercial real estate loans when you're buying the building that houses your franchise, and equipment financing for kitchen suites, point-of-sale systems, or specialty machinery your franchisor mandates. If your brand isn't on the sba franchise registry, we pivot to conventional business loans or explore adding your concept to the International Franchise Association's approved list. Our brokerage reviews your Franchise Disclosure Document Item 19, confirms registry status, and assembles the lender package so underwriters see a complete, compliant file the first time.
We start with a no-cost consultation at our 31st Street office or by phone to confirm your franchise appears on the registry and to map total project costs. Next, we request your FDD, personal financial statement, and a basic build-out estimate from your contractor. Armed with those documents, we approach multiple SBA-preferred lenders, comparing origination fees, guarantee percentages, and closing timelines in a single side-by-side grid. You'll see every cost before application, eliminating surprise packaging fees or hidden points. Once you choose a lender, we coordinate between franchisor legal teams, your Montana attorney, the SBA's Denver district office, and the closing agent so nothing stalls. Throughout the process, we translate lender jargon into plain English and flag any cost creep before it reaches your settlement statement.
Imagine you're buying a national sandwich-franchise license to open near Shiloh Crossing. Total project cost runs $387,000: $45,000 franchise fee, $210,000 leasehold improvements, $95,000 equipment, $37,000 working capital. You bring $77,400 as a 20 percent down payment. Steelhaven Funding confirms the brand sits on the SBA registry, then brokers a 7(a) loan for the remaining $309,600. The lender charges a 2.75 percent guarantee fee and a $2,500 origination fee, both disclosed up front. Closing happens in 52 days, and you open three weeks later, fully capitalized and on schedule.
Serving the Billings area
We know which lenders fund which kinds of Billings businesses, and we position your file where it fits.
One local broker, many lenders, and no cost to apply.
Common questions
Talk to a local advisor and get matched to the right program, no obligation.
