How to Finance a College HUNKS Franchise (SBA, ROBS & More)

Funding a College HUNKS Hauling & Moving franchise usually comes down to a handful of paths: an SBA-backed loan, a retirement rollover (ROBS), home equity, equipment and vehicle financing, or your own capital, often a blend of two or three. The total investment to open ranges from $193,100 to $345,500. This guide breaks down what that covers, which financing route fits which kind of owner, what lenders want to see, and how to know if you qualify, so you can build a funding plan you feel good about. Getting this part right is like laying the track before the train leaves the station: do it well, and everything you build next has somewhere to go.

Quick gut-check before you read on: most approved candidates bring at least $75,000 in liquid capital, a net worth of $200,000+, and a credit profile strong enough to qualify for SBA or conventional financing. College HUNKS is a hands-on, owner-operator business. You lead your location day to day, ideally with a spouse or partner on board with the decision. If that sounds like you, keep going.

What does it cost to open a College HUNKS franchise?

The total investment to launch a College HUNKS franchise ranges from $193,100 to $345,500. That covers your initial franchise fee, trucks and equipment, your launch marketing, and the working capital to run the business through its early months. The exact figures (the franchise fee, the royalty, the brand-development fee, and every startup line item) are itemized in Items 5, 6, and 7 of our Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD).

A quick note on money: we don’t make income or profit promises anywhere. Any financial-performance information appears in Item 19 of our FDD and is reviewed with you during the qualification process. Results vary based on your market, your effort, and how you run the business.

One thing that does set this model apart from a build-a-store franchise: there’s no long buildout or expensive real estate to finish before you can serve a customer. You run two connected services (moving and junk removal) from day one, which is part of why the investment sits lower than many brick-and-mortar concepts.

What financing options are available to franchisees?

Most owners fund their franchise with one or more of these:

• SBA 7(a) and 504 loans: government-backed, popular for franchise startups
• Traditional bank loans: require solid credit and collateral
• Preferred-lender introductions: lenders who already know the moving and junk-removal space
• Equipment and vehicle financing or leasing: for trucks and hauling gear

How do SBA loans work for a franchise like this?

SBA loans carry a government guarantee that lowers the lender’s risk, which is why they often come with lower down payments and longer repayment terms. The 7(a) program can finance a large share of an eligible project, including the franchise fee and working capital, typically with 10-20% down. The 504 program is geared toward real estate and major equipment. A clear business plan and meeting the SBA’s eligibility rules will move your application along faster.

What do banks look for on a traditional loan?

Conventional lenders lean hard on documented creditworthiness and collateral. Most will want to see:

1. A personal credit score of roughly 650 or higher
2. A detailed franchise business plan with realistic projections
3. Collateral, such as real estate or equipment
4. Proof of adequate net worth and liquid reserves

Showing you can service debt responsibly is what earns better terms.

Does College HUNKS help with financing?

We can point you toward an approved network of lenders who understand the moving and junk-removal industries, covering SBA loans, 401(k)/IRA rollover funding, and equipment and vehicle financing, which tends to speed up approvals and simplify paperwork. The specific programs shift over time, so we’ll walk through the current options with you during qualification rather than promise anything up front.

How do you finance the trucks and equipment?

Financing your vehicles and gear separately (through equipment loans or leases) keeps your working capital free for payroll and marketing. Options include equipment loans, operating leases with lower upfront cost, and manufacturer financing for specialized hauling equipment. Matching each asset to its own loan or lease helps you avoid overleveraging.

Can retirement funds or home equity help fund your franchise?

Yes. Alternative and personal financing can round out your funding stack and show lenders you’ve got skin in the game. Common routes:

• ROBS (Rollovers for Business Start-ups): use 401(k)/IRA funds to invest in your business without an early-withdrawal penalty, when done under IRS/DOL rules
• HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit): a flexible line against your home’s equity; remember your home is the collateral
• Personal savings: your own capital often unlocks better terms on outside loans
• Friends-and-family loans: put terms in writing to keep relationships healthy

Each of these has tax and risk trade-offs, so it’s worth talking them through with a financial professional before you commit.

What’s the step-by-step process to secure financing?

A clear path keeps your approval on schedule:

1. Prepare your documents: three years of tax returns, a personal financial statement, cash-flow projections, a break-even analysis, and a summary of the FDD
2. Meet with lenders and request pre-qualification and rate quotes
3. Submit applications with complete documentation
4. Negotiate rates, collateral, and repayment terms
5. Close and coordinate your funding with your training and launch schedule

Rough timelines: SBA 7(a) loans often close in 60-90 days, SBA 504 in 90-120 days, and conventional bank loans in 30-45 days. Plan backward from your target opening.

Who qualifies to own a College HUNKS franchise?

This model fits hands-on leaders, not passive investors. The typical approved owner brings $75,000+ in liquid capital, $200,000+ net worth, and a credit profile strong enough to qualify for SBA or conventional financing. Just as important is the mindset: you’re ready to lead a team and be the owner-operator, not run it absentee from day one.

We see a few kinds of owners do especially well here: corporate career-changers who want autonomy and a proven playbook, military veterans who value structure and mission, and operations or general managers from the moving and junk-removal world who’d rather build their own territory than someone else’s. If you’ve wondered whether the return justifies the investment, that’s a fair question to raise directly with our team. We’ll walk you through the FDD and the ramp-up realistically, without the hype.

Frequently asked questions about financing a College HUNKS franchise

How much does a College HUNKS franchise cost to start?

The total investment ranges from $193,100 to $345,500, covering the franchise fee, equipment, vehicles, launch marketing, and working capital for the early months. Every line item is itemized in Item 7 of our FDD.

Can I get an SBA loan for a College HUNKS franchise?

Franchises like this are commonly SBA-eligible. You’ll generally want a credit score around 650+ and a solid business plan; the SBA guarantee is what makes the lower down payments and longer terms possible.

What credit score do I need for franchise financing?

Most SBA and bank lenders look for at least a 650. A score above 680 improves your odds and can unlock better rates. On-time payment history and low debt ratios strengthen your profile.

Can I use my 401(k) without an early-withdrawal penalty?

Yes. A ROBS arrangement lets you invest retirement funds into your business without the early-withdrawal penalty, as long as it’s structured to IRS and Department of Labor rules. Work with a ROBS provider to set it up correctly.

How long does financing approval take?

SBA 7(a) loans typically close in 60-90 days, SBA 504 in 90-120 days, and conventional bank loans in 30-45 days.

Do you guarantee a certain income or return?

No. We don’t make earnings or ROI promises. Any financial-performance information appears in Item 19 of our FDD and is discussed with you during qualification. Your results will depend on your market, effort, and execution.

Ready to plan your funding?

The best next step is a real conversation about your market, your capital, and the financing routes that fit you. Request information and our franchise development team will walk you through the numbers and help you see if you qualify. Curious where there’s room to open? Check available territories, and learn how the business runs on our franchise model and investment & costs pages.

Financial information shared in this content is drawn from Item 19 of the 2026 CHHJ Franchising, L.L.C. Franchise Disclosure Document (Issuance Date: April 30, 2026, as amended August 26, 2026). See Item 19 for material assumptions, the underlying data set, and full required disclosures. Past performance does not guarantee future results. New franchisees may earn less.

This article is for general information and is not an offer to sell a franchise. An offer is made only by our Franchise Disclosure Document. We make no representations about the financial performance of a College HUNKS franchise except as set out in Item 19 of the FDD. College HUNKS works with a network of independent third-party lenders; College HUNKS does not provide financing or guarantee loan approval. Rates, terms, and qualification are set by each lender and subject to credit approval. Results vary based on many factors.

Related reading

• SBA loan for a franchise, what it takes to qualify and how much cash you put in.
• Using a 401(k) to buy a business, how a ROBS works and the risks to weigh.