How to Finance an RCG Behavioral Health Franchise: Autism Centers
An RCG Behavioral Health franchise loan helps an owner open a center that provides behavioral services for individuals on the autism spectrum, starting at age two, both in a center-based setting and in clients’ homes. The financing has to cover more than a lease and furniture: it must carry licensed clinical staff, insurance credentialing and several months of payroll before payments from private insurers and government programs start arriving.
This article explains what RCG Behavioral Health’s 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document says about costs, fees and ownership rules, and how those details shape a loan request. US Medical Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by RCG Behavioral Health; the name is used only to describe the business. Figures from the franchisor’s disclosure document can change, loan programs vary, every loan is subject to approval, and nothing here is legal, tax, billing or compliance advice.
RCG Behavioral Health Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Franchisor: RCG Behavioral Health Franchising, Inc., a Virginia corporation based in Richmond
- Initial franchise fee: $50,000, according to the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document
- Estimated initial investment: $282,100 to $584,067
- Royalty: 6% of gross sales, plus a 1% brand fund contribution and a 1% local marketing requirement
- Required billing services: provided by the franchisor, currently 5% of gross sales
- Center size: typically 3,000 to 5,000 square feet
- Franchise term: 10 years, with up to two 5-year successor terms
- System size: 3 affiliate-owned centers in Virginia and no franchised centers at the end of 2024
- Franchisor financing: none, per Item 10
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed as RCG Behavioral Health Network under code S8213
What Is RCG Behavioral Health?
RCG Behavioral Health offers behavioral services for individuals on the autism spectrum, starting at age two, through programs delivered in a center and in the home. According to the 2025 disclosure document, the affiliate RCG Behavioral Health Network, LLC has operated in Richmond, Virginia since 2012 and runs three sites. The franchisor was formed in June 2023 and began offering franchises in July 2023.
That makes RCG a young franchise system built on an established local operator. For a lender, the operating history of the affiliate centers is useful context, but there is no track record of franchised units yet. The owner’s experience, the staffing plan and the payer strategy carry more weight than they would in a mature system.
Licensing, Credentialing and Payer Mix
The disclosure document states that anyone providing counseling or therapy must be a licensed mental health professional under state law, and that franchisees may need to meet credentialing and enrollment requirements to participate in private and government insurance programs. Services are generally paid through medical benefits available to clients through private insurance and government resources.
That payer mix shapes the loan. Credentialing with insurers can take time, and claims are paid after services are delivered, so a new center may carry several months of payroll before collections catch up. Lenders will want to see a realistic credentialing timeline and enough working capital to cover it. Our article on how lenders view Medicaid payer risk explains how this is underwritten.
Licensing rules for autism services vary by state, and the disclosure document advises consulting an attorney on licensing before signing. Confirm with healthcare counsel what your state requires before you commit to a lease.
RCG Behavioral Health Franchise Costs
Initial Franchise Fee
The initial franchise fee is $50,000, uniform and non-refundable, due when you sign the franchise agreement. The cover page notes that $50,700 of the estimated investment is paid to the franchisor or an affiliate.
Leasehold Improvements
Leasehold improvements are estimated at $100,000 to $250,000, the largest single line item. Centers typically occupy 3,000 to 5,000 square feet, with space for therapy rooms, group areas and staff offices.
Equipment and Technology
Furniture, fixtures and equipment are estimated at $28,000 to $55,000, and computer systems at $7,000 to $10,000. A vehicle allowance of $2,000 to $20,000 reflects the in-home side of the service model.
Opening Costs and Working Capital
The disclosure document estimates additional funds of $75,000 to $125,000 for the first three months and notes that the estimate does not include any salary or compensation for the owner.
Item 7 Line Items
- Initial franchise fee: $50,000
- Rent and security deposit: $5,000 to $16,667
- Utilities: $500 to $1,500
- Leasehold improvements: $100,000 to $250,000
- Market introduction program: $3,500 to $10,500
- Furniture, fixtures and equipment: $28,000 to $55,000
- Computer systems: $7,000 to $10,000
- Insurance: $2,000 to $15,000
- Vehicle: $2,000 to $20,000
- Signage: $2,000 to $15,000
- Office expenses: $1,500 to $3,000
- Licenses and permits: $400 to $900
- Dues and subscriptions: $1,200 to $2,500
- Professional fees: $1,000 to $3,000
- Travel for initial training: $3,000 to $6,000
- Additional funds for 3 months: $75,000 to $125,000
- Total estimated initial investment: $282,100 to $584,067
Our article on startup costs for autism therapy clinics offers a useful comparison when you review these categories.
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Loan
According to the 2025 disclosure document, ongoing fees include:
- Royalty: 6% of gross sales, paid monthly
- Brand fund: 1% of gross sales
- Local marketing: 1% of gross sales in required spending
- Market cooperative: none currently, up to 5% if one is established
- Billing services: currently 5% of gross sales, provided by the franchisor
- Software: $700 to $900 per month for a required customer management license
- Transfer fee: $10,000, with lower fees for certain ownership changes
- Successor agreement fee: $10,000
Together, the percentage-based fees take a meaningful share of gross sales. A lender reviewing an RCG Behavioral Health franchise loan subtracts these fees from projected collections before measuring cash available for debt service, so projections should show them clearly. The required billing service also means the franchisor handles invoicing and collection, which lenders may ask about when reviewing how cash flows into the business.
Ownership Rules and Franchisor Requirements
The SBA Franchise Directory note for this brand states that the franchisor will only allow a medical professional to operate the business, or non-medical franchisees in states that allow it, and that no management agreement will be used. In plain English, whether a non-clinician can own a center depends on state law, and the brand does not use a management company structure to get around those rules.
The disclosure document requires a principal executive who owns at least 10% of the business, and it does not require the franchisee to personally run day-to-day operations. Initial training includes 76 classroom hours and 32 hours of on-the-job training, which must be completed at least four weeks before opening. The typical time from signing to opening is 6 to 9 months.
We could not verify published net worth or liquid capital requirements. Ask the franchisor for current criteria, and expect a lender to look closely at liquidity given the working capital needs.
Ways to Own an RCG Behavioral Health Center
Opening a New Center
Since there were no franchised centers at the end of 2024, nearly every franchisee will be opening a new location. Our behavioral health start-up financing page explains how lenders approach a new clinic.
Buying an Existing Center
As the system grows, resales may become possible. A buyer would need franchisor approval and would want to review payer contracts, credentialing status and staff retention. Our behavioral health acquisition financing page covers how purchase loans are structured.
Additional Centers
The franchise agreement does not grant rights to additional franchises, but the franchisor may consider letting an owner open more centers. Lenders typically want the first center performing before funding another.
Financing Options for an RCG Behavioral Health Franchise
SBA 7(a) Loans
SBA 7(a) loans can cover the franchise fee, leasehold improvements, equipment and working capital in one package. RCG Behavioral Health Network is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory, which helps lenders confirm program eligibility.
SBA 504 Loans
An owner who buys a building for the center may consider an SBA 504 real estate loan, designed for owner-occupied real estate.
Conventional Loans
Owners with healthcare experience and strong liquidity may compare conventional practice loans, which follow each lender’s own standards.
Equipment Financing
Furniture, therapy equipment, computers and a vehicle can be financed separately. Behavioral health equipment financing can preserve cash for payroll.
Working Capital
Because insurance collections lag behind payroll, a behavioral health working capital line can help bridge the credentialing and ramp-up period.
SBA Loans for RCG Behavioral Health Franchisees
RCG Behavioral Health Network appears on the SBA Franchise Directory under code S8213. The listing includes two notes. First, when the real estate where the franchise business is located will secure the SBA-guaranteed loan, the rider to the lease agreement may not be executed; if an owner buys the building and pledges it, the lease rider that applies to rented locations should not be used. Second, the ownership note described above means the lender will confirm that the owner structure fits both the franchisor’s rules and state law.
The SBA 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million, although program rules can change. Our SBA loan calculator can help estimate payments for different loan amounts.
How Lenders Evaluate an RCG Behavioral Health Deal
Credit, Net Worth and Liquidity
Lenders review personal credit, tax returns and the cash available for the equity contribution and reserves after closing.
Clinical and Management Experience
A licensed clinician or an owner with healthcare management experience presents a stronger request. If the owner is not a clinician, the lender will want to see how licensed staff will be recruited and retained.
Business Plan and Projections
Projections for an RCG Behavioral Health franchise loan should show expected client hours, payer mix, credentialing timelines, staffing costs and all Item 6 fees. Item 19 of the 2025 disclosure document includes financial performance information for the three affiliate-owned centers, which you can review with your accountant.
The Disclosure Document
Lenders read the term, transfer rules, territory and required suppliers. Items 3 and 4 cover litigation and bankruptcy history. Item 12 describes a territory of roughly 100,000 people; review its exclusivity terms carefully with your attorney.
Real-World Scenarios
- A licensed clinician opening a first center: clinical credentials address the ownership rules, and an SBA 7(a) loan can fund the build-out and working capital through credentialing.
- A healthcare executive in a state that allows non-clinical ownership: the lender confirms state rules and focuses on the clinical leadership hired for the center.
- An owner who buys a building: an SBA 504 or SBA 7(a) loan may fit, and the lease rider should not be used if the real estate secures the loan.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Underestimating how long insurance credentialing takes
- Assuming non-clinical ownership is allowed without checking state law
- Leaving out the owner’s living expenses, which Item 7 does not include
- Budgeting only the royalty and forgetting billing, brand fund and marketing fees
Our article on behavioral health loan mistakes covers more pitfalls.
Next Steps to Finance Your RCG Behavioral Health Franchise
Step 1: Review the disclosure document. Go through Items 5, 6, 7, 10, 12, 17, 19 and 20 with a franchise attorney and accountant.
Step 2: Confirm ownership eligibility. Check your state’s rules with healthcare counsel.
Step 3: Plan credentialing. Map out insurer enrollment and the time it may take.
Step 4: Choose a site. Look for 3,000 to 5,000 square feet that suits center-based services.
Step 5: Build projections. Include all fees and a realistic collections timeline.
Step 6: Apply for financing. Submit tax returns, a personal financial statement, a resume, the lease or letter of intent and projections.
RCG Behavioral Health Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does an RCG Behavioral Health franchise cost?
The 2025 disclosure document estimates $282,100 to $584,067, including the $50,000 franchise fee and three months of additional funds.
What is the royalty?
The royalty is 6% of gross sales, plus a 1% brand fund contribution and required local marketing of 1%.
Is RCG Behavioral Health eligible for SBA loans?
Yes. It is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory as RCG Behavioral Health Network under code S8213.
Do I need to be a clinician?
The franchisor allows medical professionals to operate the business, and non-medical owners only in states that allow it.
Does the franchisor offer financing?
No. Item 10 says the franchisor does not offer direct or indirect financing.
How long is the franchise term?
The initial term is 10 years, with up to two 5-year successor terms subject to a $10,000 fee.
How long does it take to open?
The disclosure document says the typical time from signing to opening is 6 to 9 months.
Can I open more than one center?
The franchisor may consider additional centers but does not grant development rights in the franchise agreement.
What documents will a lender need?
Expect tax returns, a personal financial statement, the disclosure document, a lease or letter of intent, projections, a resume and proof of liquidity.
Final Thoughts
An RCG Behavioral Health franchise loan is mostly about funding people and time: licensed staff, credentialing and the months before insurance payments catch up with payroll. Owners who confirm their ownership eligibility, budget every fee and keep strong reserves will present a more credible request.
US Medical Funding helps behavioral health owners finance start-ups, acquisitions and growth, including franchise centers. Learn more about our behavioral health practice financing.
