While Your Competitors Drown in Paperwork, Accel Gets You Funded in As Little As 45 Days
If you’re a franchisee (or have aspirations of becoming one), you know that securing an SBA loan is supposed to be the gateway to growth.
But too often, that “gateway” feels more like a locked door with endless hoops to jump through.
Paperwork, shifting requirements, and the constant fear of missing your chance to grab that perfect location can make even the most driven entrepreneurs second-guess themselves.
But here’s the thing: SBA loans are one of the best tools in the franchising playbook, but the process to get them has been stuck in the stone age for way too long.
So, what does it take to break out of the cycle and actually get funded without losing your mind, or your dream? And how does Capital Bank’s Accel platform turn the whole lending process on its head?
Let’s break it down.
Why SBA Lending Feels Impossible
If you’ve ever experienced the process firsthand, you know that SBA loans are notoriously complicated.
Even though they’re a great tool for franchisees, most lenders make it feel like you’re applying for a security clearance, not a loan.
It usually goes like this: you start off strong, brimming with excitement. But soon, the back-and-forth begins. Every new underwriter seems to want something different, the rules keep shifting, and the timelines keep stretching.
Your excitement fizzles as the process drags on, and the window for your franchise opportunity shrinks.
To be blunt, traditional SBA lending is a black hole of confusion. It’s easy to get lost, feel overwhelmed by document requests, and wonder if you’ll ever get the green light.
And the real gut punch? It’s not just the paperwork; it’s what this mess costs you.
Think about it in real terms. A 90-day delay isn’t just a headache, it’s three months of lost revenue.
It’s your competitor grabbing the A+ retail location you wanted.
It’s losing your best general manager prospect because you couldn’t give them a start date.
The traditional process doesn’t just waste your time, it actively steals from your bottom line and future growth. Every minute spent chasing down forms is time stolen from running your franchise.
For first-timers, it’s enough to make you want to throw in the towel. For experienced operators, it’s a slap in the face to your ambition.
This isn’t how financing should work.
Accel: The Antidote to SBA Loan Headaches
Capital Bank specializes in helping franchise owners secure SBA 7(a) loans quickly and confidently.
In 2024, American Banker even ranked Capital Bank as one of the top 10 performing banks in the nation.
The bank’s process is powered by Windsor Advantage*, a partner that has facilitated over $5.5 billion in SBA and USDA loans since 2010 and brings more than 225 years of combined in-house government-guaranteed lending experience to the table.
The Accel platform ditches the guesswork and confusing back-and-forth, giving you a digital-first platform that makes it simple to upload your docs, track your loan’s progress, and actually get funded.
Specifically built for SBA 7(a) loans of $350,000 or less, the platform streamlines the entire process with tools like pre-built document checklists and templates.
Here’s how the two approaches stack up:
| The Old Way (Traditional Banks) | The Accel Way (Capital Bank) |
| • Timeline: 60-90 days (if you’re lucky) | • Timeline: Open your doors in as little as 35-45 days |
| • Process: Endless paper-chasing, shifting goalposts | • Process: Simplified, end-to-end digital experience |
| • Visibility: A “black hole”—no idea where you stand | • Visibility: Real-time visibility into your loan’s progress |
| • Result: Lost deals, wasted time, crushing uncertainty | • Result: Close deals faster, outpace competitors |
The process is so defined that you can move through underwriting in as little as 5-10 days.
And just to be clear, ‘digital-first’ doesn’t mean ‘digital-only.’ The Accel platform is your 24/7 portal, but it’s backed by a dedicated team of franchise lending specialists.
You get the efficiency of world-class tech and the direct-line expertise of a human who understands the franchise model inside and out.
Let’s be clear: Accel isn’t for everyone. It’s a fast-track for serious operators who meet the criteria for success. It was built for:
- The Driven First-Timer: You’ve got managerial or industry experience and refuse to let a clunky process kill your dream.
- The Empire Builder: You’re a multi-unit operator who sees slow capital as the #1 obstacle to scaling.
- The Qualified Professional: You have a solid credit history (680+), relevant experience (2+ years), and are ready to invest in your vision (10% equity).
If this is you, you’re exactly who Capital Bank wants to partner with.
From “Too Risky” to Doubling Growth: A Real-World Example
The results speak for themselves.
After only a year in business, a franchisee from PuroClean, a leading property damage restoration and remediation franchise, needed working capital to bridge the gap while waiting on insurance reimbursements.
Traditional lenders declined his request, calling the deal “too risky.”
The Capital Bank team met with him in person, saw the opportunity behind the numbers, and designed a loan package to help him scale.
The result?
A $1M line of credit and an $876K term loan for growth.
As the franchisee said himself: “Capital Bank didn’t treat me like a file. They heard me out, saw the opportunity, and backed me. We’ve doubled our growth since.”
The Real Payoff is More Than Just Money
This isn’t about the dollar amount. It’s about what those dollars do.
Picture this: That dream location you’ve been designing for years? Suddenly it’s not just a plan, it’s your next signed lease.
That nagging voice wondering if you’re “ready” to scale? Gone, replaced by the confidence of watching your brand take root. That soul-crushing limbo of waiting on loan approvals? Kaput.
Capital Bank gets it. They see past the spreadsheets to the legacy you’re building. That’s why Accel cuts through the red tape to deliver what you really need: momentum.
No games. No empty promises. Just capital that shows up. The payoff isn’t just financial, it’s the freedom to stop dreaming and start doing.
Stop Letting Slow Lending Hold You Back
The choice is simple. You can keep waiting in line with everyone else, hoping the old system works out, or you can grab the express lane.
Every week you spend waiting is another chance for your competitors to snag the best locations, the best staff, and the best opportunities.
Your vision shouldn’t be held hostage by a broken lending process.
With Accel, you’re not just getting capital, you’re getting the speed, clarity, and human support you need to make bold moves.
Stop waiting for permission to grow. It’s time to build your future.
Ready to learn how Accel can get your franchise funded? Start the Conversation.
*Windsor Advantage LLC is a subsidiary of Capital Bancorp, Inc.
SBA loans, minus the chaos.
