★★★★★ 5 out of 5 stars
Reader review A useful and practical guide
Before getting any SBA loan deal, this is the perfect guide that gives all the details on the dos and donts to get approval for US citizens. It is practical and explains different approaches that one would take depending on their situation, such as if they are purchasing a new property. It is direct and straight to the point and strays away from generic lending advice that does not help if the facts do not align. The author focuses on the hospitality industry, and illustrates how one can finance through SBA, and save themselves a whole lot of money. He stresses how cash flow is the lifeline of any hospitality business, and in the case studies, motels. Without it, it would disenfranchise the buyer as they would struggle with the margins or with more expensive loans from other lending institutions. The book focuses on facts under the law, and is updated to the latest 2026 guidelines which is key in getting everything right. This is a valuable and detail oriented resource and it offers insight into the SBA system which is sometimes oversimplified on other platforms.
Bethuel Kibet · May 25, 2026
Hotel Guide →
★★★★★ 5 out of 5 stars
Reader review Insightful
Just like the author's loan guide for hotel owners, which I recently read, this well written book enlightens you on the things that can make or break your restaurant's financing hopes. There are lots of interesting takeaways. For instance, chapter two, whose eligibility requirements include: the 'credit elsewhere' test (the formula and liquidity test are mind-opening) discussing certification proving your inability to obtain funds elsewhere conveniently; the eligibility rules discussing enforced occupancy rules, 'organized for profit' entity, structured business ownership/running relationship, affiliation rules, business location and compliance; ethical considerations involving the lookback rule concerning the rule of law; and much more. Chapters five, eight and nine also stood out for their discussions on what, how, why and where is required, what you can and cannot do with the SBA loan, and what happens during the long wait between approval and actually getting the money. There are fun facts, pro tips, scenarios, reality checks, important notes, checklists, case studies, traps, action plans and much more. From documentations and certifications through expectations and evaluations to assumptions and submissions, the insightful SBA Loan Guide for Restaurant Owners encourages you to learn, unlearn and relearn.
Antony Wairiuko · May 14, 2026
Restaurant Guide →
★★★★★ 5 out of 5 stars
Reader review Enlightening
The second-person point of view, you and your, thrusts the reader into the heart of the mind-opening narrative, which is timeless as it discusses the financing nightmares experienced by hotel business owners at any given time. Basically, there are ten chapters, ranging from whether SBA financing is a right fit for your hotel business through the application process alongside expectations to learnt lessons. Chapter two is among the sections that grabbed my attention, especially the transient requirement (including the under 30-day rule for transients and why it matters for eligibility), the rule of sole discretion (like the meaningful oversight concerning a final say on specific issues), affiliation, management agreements, an eligible small business based on the industry/alternative standards and franchise directory. The chapter concerning the application process and expectations also stood out, particularly the associated costs, documentations, personal history, legal compliance, and much more. The section concerning learnt lessons is interesting too, including the impact of foreign ownership on eligibility and the success patterns alongside the things to do before applying. There are pro tips, easy-to-understand scenarios, rules, reality checks, risks, how-to, case applications, checklists, traps to avoid, fixes, what ifs, consequences, case studies and much more. This book is enlightening.
Antony Wairiuko · May 12, 2026
Hotel Guide →
★★★★★ 5 out of 5 stars
IndieReader editorial review Helpful and Practical Business Guide
FUNDED: The Complete SBA Loan Guide for Franchise Owners by Thomas Hartwell is an outstanding business guide offering funding advice and tactics to those seeking franchise funding. The author, having conducted extensive research on SBA loans and the applicable laws governing franchise funding, writes from a position of acquired knowledge, providing factual information. To make things clearer, Thomas uses two case scenarios: one involving Derek who is looking to start a franchise, and the other involving Priya, an already established franchise owner seeking to expand her business. The author discusses which funding models are suitable for each, giving advice on what one should or should not do in different scenarios to ensure they secure funding while also ensuring they are not disadvantaged by the franchise agreements. The author simplified everything (the law and statistics) making the book easy to read and understand.
Charles Magesa · April 14, 2026 · free review copy provided, review not paid for
Franchise Guide →
★★★★★ 5 out of 5 stars
Review copy provided via BookSprout Excellent resource guide. I wish I had this 30 years ago when I was starting out!
Excellent resource guide. I wish I had this 30 years ago when I was starting out! There is something for every hospitality professional no matter their level of experience.
Kenneth Cameron · April 12, 2026 · free review copy provided, review not paid for
Hotel Guide →
★★★★☆ 4 out of 5 stars
IndieReader editorial review Easy to follow
What I like most about this is how the author leverages concrete figures and real-world scenarios to help readers understand otherwise-complex concepts. Thomas Hartwell opens his book with a description of Derek, a newly-resigned aspiring franchise owner looking to open up his first branch. He paints the scenario in a way that's easy to understand, before proceeding to discuss another similar franchise owner, Priya. He then begins to define, in detail, what franchises are, and some crucial terminology regarding SBA loans. I enjoyed this book because Hartwell knew how to keep it engaging and simple when he could have easily bored readers with vague definitions and complex explanations.
Charles M. · March 31, 2026 · free review copy provided, review not paid for
Franchise Guide →