Liquor Store — Franchise - Service Deal at $600K Scores 8.6 Out of 10
Strong margins, fair price, and real cash flow. This is what a solid deal actually looks like.
This is a franchise — service business listed at $599,995, generating $3.5M in annual revenue and $205,218 in seller's discretionary earnings. At a 2.92x cash flow multiple, the asking price sits right at the industry average of 3.00x for franchise — service businesses. The profit margin is 6%.
We ran this deal through the DealScore Pro Bulletproof Calculator to see how it holds up across all five scoring criteria. Here is the full breakdown.
Deal Snapshot
The deal snapshot tells a clean story. Revenue of $3.5M with a 6% margin means the margins are tight and leave less room for error. The 2.92x multiple is fair, right in line with the industry average.
Financing Overview
Using the standard 80/10/10 SBA deal structure (80% SBA 7(a) loan, 10% seller financing, 10% buyer down payment), here is what this acquisition looks like when financed.
Why the Numbers Matter
The headline number most buyers fixate on is the asking price. But the asking price alone tells you almost nothing about whether a deal is worth doing. What matters is what happens after you finance it.
The post-debt cash flow of $113,577 per year is the real number. That is what you take home after every loan payment, every month, for the life of the loan. On a $60,000 cash investment, that is a strong return, and it is well above the $100K minimum threshold that the Bulletproof standard requires.
The DSCR of 2.24x means the business generates $2.24 for every $1 of annual debt payment. SBA lenders require a minimum of 1.25x. The Bulletproof standard requires 2.0x. This deal clears both with room to spare, which means you have a real safety margin if revenue softens or costs spike unexpectedly.
The stress test is where many deals that look good on paper fall apart. We model a 20% drop in revenue and check whether the business can still cover all debt obligations. This deal passes. Even at $2.8M in revenue (down from $3.5M), the cash flow still services the debt. That is the kind of resilience you want in a financed acquisition.
Industry Context
📈 How This Deal Compares to the Franchise — Service Industry
Franchise — Service is a common acquisition target with demand patterns that vary by local market. The benchmarks below show how this specific deal stacks up against industry medians.
Combined with a deal that performs well on the fundamentals, this is the profile lenders like to fund.
Strengths and Risks
✓ What Works
- Fair pricing at 2.92x earnings
- Strong post-debt cash flow of $113,577 per year
- Adequate working capital reserves
- Survives a 20% revenue decline stress test
⚠ Watch Out For
- DSCR of 2.24x is below the safety threshold
- Key-person risk: verify the current owner's role in daily operations
- Lease terms and renewal risk
Who This Deal Is For
Best fit for:
Owner-operators with industry experience or management background who want a business that cash flows from day one.
First-time buyers looking for a straightforward acquisition with solid fundamentals.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is $599,995 a fair price for a franchise — service business?
At 2.92x seller's discretionary earnings, this asking price is right at the industry average multiple of 3.00x for franchise — service businesses. Deals priced below 2.50x are generally considered favorable for buyers, while anything above 3.70x starts to look expensive.
What is a good profit margin for a franchise — service business?
Profit margins vary by industry. This listing shows margins that should be compared against industry benchmarks during due diligence.
Can I buy a franchise — service business with an SBA loan?
Yes. Franchise — Service businesses are commonly financed through SBA 7(a) loans using an 80/10/10 structure: 80% SBA loan, 10% seller financing, and 10% buyer down payment. For this $599,995 deal, that means approximately $60,000 in cash at closing. SBA lenders require a minimum DSCR of 1.25x, but conservative buyers target 2.0x or higher. This deal's 2.24x DSCR comfortably clears both thresholds.
How much do franchise — service business owners actually make?
Owner earnings vary widely based on revenue, pricing, and operational involvement. This franchise — service business generates $205,218 in seller's discretionary earnings (SDE) before debt service. After SBA financing under the 80/10/10 structure, the buyer would take home approximately $113,577 per year. That post-debt figure is the number that actually matters for a financed acquisition, because it reflects what ends up in your pocket after every loan payment is made.