At FS Foodservice Solutions, we believe the best partnerships are built on communication, transparency, and setting clear expectations from day one. Whether you’ve worked with a foodservice equipment financing partner before or are offering financing for the first time, understanding the process helps create smoother transactions, faster funding, and a better experience for your customers.
Think of Us as Part of Your Team
We work exclusively in foodservice and understand the challenges dealers face every day. Our role is to help you close more business, support your sales team, structure deals, and provide financing solutions that help your customers move forward.
But our support doesn’t stop with financing.
We provide both physical and digital marketing materials, training tools for your sales team, AutoQuotes content, website integrations, ROI and payment estimation calculators, customer-facing educational materials, and ongoing support to help keep financing top of mind. We truly see ourselves as an extension of your sales and marketing team, and we’re always looking for ways to help our partners create more opportunities and close more business.
One of our favorite examples of this is our monthly Shining Star Series. Each month, we recognize a DSR who is making an impact in the industry and helping customers find creative solutions to grow their businesses. The selected DSR receives a $100 gift card to a local restaurant of their choice and is featured in a dedicated blog post highlighting their story, accomplishments, and contributions to the foodservice community.
We believe great partnerships go beyond transactions. The more we can help support your sales efforts, educate your team, and provide resources that create value, the stronger our partnership becomes!
The Earlier We’re Involved, The Better
Financing is often most effective when it’s introduced early in the sales process. When customers understand their payment options upfront, they’re often able to purchase the equipment they really want while preserving cash for other business needs.
Getting us involved is easy. You can provide the customer with our contact information, send us their information, share an application link, or, even better, send a warm email introduction that includes both the customer and our team. That allows us to start the conversation with everyone on the same page from the beginning. If you have a quote, send it our way. If not, that’s perfectly fine. A ballpark project amount is usually enough for us to get started. From there, we’ll work directly with the customer, keep you informed throughout the process, and handle the financing details so you can stay focused on the sale. Once approved, the customer will select their preferred program and terms, complete their electronic documents, and the agreement will commence. Most of our partners qualify for pre-funding, which means payment is issued before equipment delivery. ACH payments are preferred and typically arrive within 24 to 48 hours of commencement, depending on the receiving bank’s processing times.
Not Every Deal Looks the Same
Because we work with multiple funding sources, documentation requirements and approval structures can vary from deal to deal. Our job is to navigate those differences and help keep transactions moving.
We can finance transactions from $500 to $5M+, though financing tends to make the most sense on projects of $1,500 or more. Funding sources have requirements they must satisfy before approving an application and releasing funds. Depending on the transaction, this may include but is not limited to tax returns, bank statements, invoices, proof of delivery, ownership verification, proof of address, and insurance.
Learn more about what we look for in an application, and how our lending partners determine if an operator qualifies for financing here.
Understanding Sales Tax in Foodservice Equipment Financing
In many financing transactions, the financing company purchases the equipment from the equipment dealer for the purpose of leasing it to the end user. Because the equipment is being acquired for lease or resale, sales tax is generally not charged on the invoice submitted to the financing company. Instead, sales tax is collected from the customer throughout the lease term in accordance with applicable state and local tax regulations. When applicable, a resale certificate is provided and should be retained with the dealer’s records.
Communication Makes Everything Easier
If pricing changes, equipment changes, delivery dates shift, or project details evolve, keeping us informed early helps avoid delays and allows us to address issues before they become problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why isn’t sales tax charged on some lease transactions?
Because the financing company is purchasing the equipment for the purpose of leasing it to the customer. In many lease structures, that transaction qualifies as a sale for resale, so sales tax is not charged on the dealer invoice. Instead, tax is collected from the customer throughout the lease term.
Why does a financing company need proof of delivery?
In some instances, funding sources need confirmation that the equipment was received and accepted. This protects all parties involved and is a common funding requirement. If a partner does not qualify for pre-funding, the funds will often not be released until the delivery has been verified.
Can freight and installation be included in foodservice equipment financing?
Yes! Freight, installation, design costs, signage, smallwares and other soft costs can often be included. The requirements vary depending on the funding source, but typically about 20% of the order can be made up of these costs as long as 80% of the order is equipment.
We always do our best to get as much included in the financed amount as possible, so we recommend sending us the full quote and if there are items we can’t include we will work with you and the customer to structure the quote accordingly.
When should financing be introduced to a customer?
As early as possible. Presenting monthly payment options upfront often helps customers preserve working capital and move forward with larger or more complete equipment purchases. Financing should not be brought up only when a customer asks about it or says they cannot afford a purchase! Introducing financing early allows you to break through budgetary barriers early, so you can help the customers choose the equipment that is the best fit for their operation.
Can startup restaurants qualify for equipment financing?
Yes. While requirements vary by funding source, many startup restaurants can qualify for financing, especially when there is strong ownership, industry experience, or additional support behind the business.
Our Goal Is Simple
We help equipment dealers sell more equipment by making foodservice equipment financing easier for their customers. We believe in communication, transparency, and being a true partner throughout the process. Whether you’re already offering financing or just getting started, we’re here to help. Reach out to our team or schedule a meeting with us to learn how FS Foodservice Solutions can support your sales efforts and help you close more business.