Financing

Most owners don't pay all cash.

With the right combination of an SBA loan, a retirement-fund rollover, and personal capital, ownership is more accessible than you'd expect. The total investment for a Twinkle Toes territory runs $63,000 to $91,000, well within reach of the most common franchise-funding paths.

Making ownership possible.

SBA loans cover up to 90% of total investment

ROBS lets you use retirement funds penalty-free

HELOC and personal savings cover the rest

Funding paths

Six ways owners fund their franchise.

Our financing team will help you build the stack that fits your credit, liquidity, and risk tolerance, and introduce you to the lenders and providers we trust.

SBA loans

Up to 90% of total investment

Twinkle Toes is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory, which streamlines eligibility for SBA 7(a) loans. These loans typically cover up to 90% of your total project cost with 10-year terms and competitive rates. Most owners who go this route put down $10K–$20K of their own capital and finance the rest.

Good fit if

Good credit (typically 680+), some liquid assets, and comfortable taking on structured debt.

401(k) / IRA rollover (ROBS)

Use retirement funds, penalty-free

A Rollover for Business Startups (ROBS) lets you use existing 401(k) or IRA funds to invest in your franchise without early-withdrawal penalties or taxes. Your retirement account becomes an equity investor in your new business. We work with two established ROBS providers who set up the structure in 2–3 weeks.

Good fit if

$50K+ in a rollable retirement account and comfortable investing part of your retirement in yourself.

HELOC (home equity)

Low-rate, flexible draw

A home equity line of credit gives you access to cash at rates typically below unsecured business loans. Many owners use a HELOC to cover the franchise fee and initial working capital, then repay it as the business ramps.

Good fit if

Homeowner with meaningful equity and stable primary income during ramp.

Third-party lending partners

Franchise-specialist lenders

We've built relationships with lenders who specialize in franchise financing. They understand the model, move quickly, and typically deliver term sheets within a week. We'll introduce you and stay in the loop on the process.

Good fit if

Owners who want to shop terms across multiple lenders without starting from scratch.

Personal capital

Cash, brokerage, family

Some owners fund the business primarily from personal savings, taxable brokerage accounts, or family capital. This is the simplest path and avoids interest expense. The tradeoff is opportunity cost on that capital.

Good fit if

Owners with substantial liquid net worth who prefer to own the business outright from day one.

Veterans & first responders

$5,000 off the franchise fee

We proudly offer a $5,000 discount on the initial franchise fee for U.S. military veterans, active-duty service members, National Guard, Reservists, and full-time first responders. Discount stacks with SBA veteran loan advantages.

Good fit if

Verified veteran or first responder status. Ask us for details.

Do I qualify?

The signals lenders actually look at.

Credit score

SBA lenders typically want a personal FICO of 680 or higher. Some franchise-specialist lenders will consider 660+ with strong other signals.

Liquid net worth

Most owners come in with at least $30K–$50K in liquid assets between cash, brokerage, and retirement, enough to cover the down payment and a working-capital cushion.

Total net worth

$150K+ total net worth is typical for SBA approval, though this varies by lender and by the size of the loan you're seeking.

Industry experience

You do not need childcare experience. Lenders care about your ability to run a business. HR, management, sales, healthcare, education, and operations backgrounds all read well.

None of these are hard cutoffs. Every lender weighs them differently, and part of our job is matching you with the lender most likely to say yes based on your specific profile.

Let's talk financing.

Our team will walk you through the options, connect you with preferred lenders, and help you build the funding plan that actually works for your situation.

Twinkle Toes Nanny Agency is not a lender and does not directly provide financing. We introduce prospective franchisees to third-party lenders and ROBS providers; loan approval, terms, and structure are determined by those parties. This page is informational and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Consult your own advisors before making funding decisions.