New Member Q&A: FS Foodservice Solutions

 
As part of its mission to celebrate organizations that strengthen the foodservice equipment and supplies industry, FEDA publishes Q&As with member companies. This week's newsletter features FS Foodservice Solutions, a FEDA business services member that offers fast, flexible and customized financing solutions for equipment dealers, manufacturers and foodservice operators.

Please tell us a little bit about your company's history.
Sandra VanBuren, CEO and co-founder: FS Foodservice Solutions was founded by Sandra VanBuren and Kim Lorang, industry veterans with decades of combined experience in the foodservice and hospitality industries. Recognizing a clear gap in the market for transparent, flexible and industry-focused financing, we launched FS with one goal in mind: to provide tailored financing solutions that truly support the growth of foodservice businesses.

From day one, FS Foodservice Solutions has been committed to simplifying the financing process and strengthening partnerships across the foodservice ecosystem. We built our foundation on strong relationships with over 25 lenders, allowing us to offer fast, customized solutions for equipment dealers, manufacturers, franchisees, and independent operators. Thanks to our consultative approach and deep understanding of the industry, FS quickly became a trusted financing partner. We’ve established relationships with dealers, equipment manufacturers, and manufacturer reps who rely on us to help their customers access capital and move projects forward.

Our fast start has been powered by strong referrals from satisfied partners and clients. We focus on being easy to work with, responsive, and honest, and that has helped us grow quickly through trusted recommendations. We’re just getting started, but our growth reflects the need for a financing partner that understands the foodservice industry and shows up with solutions.

What kinds of services does your company provide to businesses within the foodservice equipment and supplies industry?
At FS Foodservice Solutions, we specialize in delivering tailored financing solutions exclusively for the foodservice equipment and supplies industry. Our services are designed to support equipment dealers, manufacturers, restaurant owners, and other industry partners by offering flexible, fast, and reliable financing options that drive business growth.

Our services include:

• Equipment financing: Customized solutions that help operators acquire the equipment they need with terms that match their cash flow.
• Working capital loans/lines of credit: Extra capital to manage day-to-day operations, invest in growth, or handle the unexpected.
• Vendor and dealer financing programs: Seamless financing options that help dealers close more sales by offering customers easy and affordable payment plans.
• Chain and franchise programs: Purpose-built financing programs designed for multi-unit operators and franchise groups with scalability in mind.
• Consultative support: We take a hands-on approach to help partners choose the right financing structure for each project or customer. With a network of over 25 lending partners, FS Foodservice Solutions can secure quick approvals and competitive terms for a wide range of credit profiles and deal sizes.

What distinguishes your company in your market?
What sets us apart is our exclusive focus on the foodservice industry and our commitment to making financing simple, fast and tailored to the real-world needs of operators and equipment partners.

Unlike generalist finance companies, we live and breathe foodservice. Our team understands the challenges of seasonality, equipment lifecycles and tight project timelines because we’ve built our business specifically around them.

Some of the traits that distinguish us in the market:

• Hospitality-only focus: 100 percent of our work is dedicated to restaurant and foodservice businesses.
• Speed and flexibility: We offer application-only approvals up to $250,000 and custom structures like true loans, equipment finance agreements, fair market value leases, and step payments.
• Dealer-centric approach: Our process is built to support dealers and reps, with prefunding options and no hidden fees.
• Hands-on support: We work directly with your team, from quoting through funding, to help close deals faster and more smoothly.
• Marketing and sales tools: We provide co-branded portals, application links and training to help you use financing as a sales tool.

How is your company making the best use of new technology?
We are committed to using technology to make financing simple, fast and transparent for our partners and customers in the foodservice industry. By blending the best of technology with a personal, hands-on approach, we are making financing easier and more effective for the foodservice industry.

Here are some ways we are putting new technology to work:

• Fully digital application process: From start to finish, the financing process can be completed online. Applicants can apply, upload documents, e-sign contracts, and monitor progress without needing to print or scan anything.
• Custom CRM and workflow automation: We have built a customized customer relationship management system that manages deals from every angle. It connects our applicants, dealers, and lender partners in one place to ensure smooth communication and fast turnaround.
• Partner tools and resources: We provide automated reporting to keep our partners informed every step of the way on their customers' financing progress. Our digital marketing library gives partners fast access to co-branded materials they can use in showrooms, on websites or in emails to make financing simple and seamless for their customers.
• Live deal updates and communication: We use automated updates and real-time tracking to keep everyone informed. This reduces back-and-forth and keeps projects on schedule.
• Smart lender matching: By using data and deal-specific criteria, we match each application to the right lender. This improves approval rates and helps structure deals that actually work for the customer.

What challenges are your customers facing, and what are some examples of how your company has helped them create solutions?
Our customers in the foodservice equipment and supplies industry are facing several key challenges, from rising costs and supply chain delays to tighter cash flow and limited access to traditional financing. FS Foodservice Solutions steps in as a strategic partner to help overcome these roadblocks with fast, flexible and practical financing options. We’re helping startups get approved when banks said no, supporting growth for multi-unit franchisees and streamlining financing for repeat buyers. Those achievements show we are not just offering capital. We are creating solutions that help our customers stay focused on growing their business instead of navigating red tape.

What interested you about becoming a FEDA member? What are you learning about the foodservice equipment and supplies industry?
Joining FEDA was a natural step for us at FS Foodservice Solutions because we’re committed to being more than just a financing company. We want to be a true partner to the foodservice equipment and supplies community. FEDA brings together the leading voices in the industry, and being part of that network helps us stay informed, aligned and connected to the people we serve.

What interested us most about becoming a member was the opportunity to engage directly with dealers, manufacturers and reps who are shaping the future of foodservice. We’re here to listen, learn and contribute solutions that make it easier for businesses to grow. Being part of FEDA is helping us sharpen our approach and build stronger, more supportive programs that serve the real needs of the foodservice equipment world. We’re excited to continue learning and collaborating with the FEDA community.