SweatHouz Partners With ApplePie Capital to Launch Core Loan Program

SweatHouz (SWTHZ), the rapidly expanding contrast-therapy franchise known for its private infrared sauna, cold-plunge and vitamin C shower suites, is taking a proactive step to remove one of the biggest barriers facing aspiring franchise owners: access to capital. Beginning Jan. 13, 2026, the contrast therapy franchise officially became eligible for the ApplePie Capital Core Loan Program, giving qualified operators a new pathway to secure flexible, growth-oriented financing.

The partnership positions SWTHZ among a select group of brands approved for ApplePie’s conventional lending platform, which is designed specifically to support multi-unit franchise development. For candidates who meet the financial and operational benchmarks, the program offers an alternative to traditional SBA financing, streamlining the funding process and accelerating timelines from approval to opening.

“Anytime you are looking to open up a new business, financing is challenging, and it is no different in franchising,” said Jamie Davis, Senior Vice President of Business Development at ApplePie Capital. “Even though franchising is, in and of itself, a risk mitigant, most banks are not going to finance a first project for a franchisee. So, we look to change that for the right brands.”

Davis says ApplePie’s approach centers on relationship lending and long-term alignment with brands that demonstrate strong unit economics and system-wide stability.

“Our goal is to do relationship lending for exceptional franchise brands,” he said. “When we can go out and find great brands that have an excellent track record of keeping franchise locations open and strong unit-level economics, that is a further risk mitigant.”

The ApplePie Core Loan is structured as a 10-year, fixed-rate conventional loan with no personal collateral requirements and no prepayment penalties. Unlike SBA-backed loans that rely on draw systems and extended approval processes, ApplePie has a streamlined closing and funding process, allowing franchisees to focus on development and operations rather than ongoing financing logistics.

“The ApplePie Core Loan is designed for multi-unit franchise growth,” Davis said. “As a result, SWTHZ franchisees will experience a dramatic difference in the process compared to SBA. And they’ll also have the ability to unlock embedded equity in  their businesses through our Recap & Growth program.”

To qualify, candidates must typically contribute 15% to 20% down and demonstrate sufficient post-closing liquidity. ApplePie evaluates the full investment outlined in Item 7 of the Franchise Disclosure Document, rather than limiting financing to construction or hard costs.

“For eligible brands — for a Category 1 brand like SWTHZ — we can do conventional lending with the ApplePie Core Loan for first-time franchisees with no experience,” Davis said. “That is kind of a game changer for a lot of brands.”

ApplePie’s relationship with SWTHZ began several years before Core eligibility. Davis says the lender initially worked with the brand through an SBA-first program while monitoring its system development, leadership structure and unit performance.

“They are moving and grooving. They have a great leadership team,” he said. “We wanted to be in on the ground floor because of the uniqueness of the concept, the leadership and the franchisees we were talking to.”

After meeting ApplePie’s operational benchmarks, SWTHZ achieved Core eligibility in January, opening the door to broader conventional lending for both first-time and experienced operators.

Beyond financing, the Core Loan Program is designed to reduce friction for franchisees. ApplePie eliminates the need for traditional business plans, minimizes repetitive underwriting and simplifies closing requirements, helping candidates move faster from approval to launch.

“All of those things cut down on friction and speed things up,” Davis said. “Once a brand hits Core eligibility, we look to make it easier for the franchisee on the other side.”

ApplePie Capital has assigned a dedicated relationship manager to the SWTHZ brand, so existing and prospective franchisees have a single point of contact for discussing their financing needs.  Davis says those conversations focus not only on opening a first unit, but on building a long-term, multi-unit strategy supported by ApplePie’s Recap and Grow program.

“It is not necessarily as much about the first location as it is about getting to five,” he said. “It is a more holistic approach than just doing a transaction and getting a loan funded.”

With the launch of the Core Loan Program, SWTHZ continues to position itself as a growth-oriented franchise brand focused on equipping qualified operators with the financial tools and institutional support needed to scale. By aligning with ApplePie Capital, the brand is reinforcing its commitment to sustainable expansion and long-term franchisee success.

To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/sweathouz.