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ROBS provider comparison

Nexus vs. FranFund

Both help founders use retirement savings to buy or start a business. FranFund specializes in franchise funding; Nexus delivers a modern, all-inclusive ROBS product with a live dashboard and dedicated concierge.

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Published by Nexus · Updated August 18, 2026

Quick rundown

Which provider is the better fit?

Choose Nexus when

You want a modern ROBS built to work for you

  • Purpose-built, tech-native ROBS plan for today's franchisee
  • Live dashboard plus dedicated concierge for setup and ongoing maintenance
  • Easiest and fastest setup process, with all-inclusive flat pricing

Consider FranFund when

You want a franchise-focused funding partner

  • Twenty years of experience with franchise ownership and business funding
  • FranPlan specialists plus optional SBA loan packaging and capitalization support
  • Freedom to choose outside providers for plan and corporate renewals

Side-by-side comparison

Nexus and FranFund at a glance

ComparisonRecommended for a modern workflowNexusFranFund
Setup price$5,000$4,995
Ongoing price$500 per quarter ($2,000 annualized)$165/month ($1,980 annualized)
Product modelOne ROBS setup + plan administration productROBS setup + required plan administration; loan packaging sold separately
Setup scopeC-Corp + documents; plan + trust; rollover + stock issuance; first-year fidelity bond; cap tableC-Corp + documents; plan; rollover assistance + stock certificates
Ongoing scopeForm 5500 + testing; valuation records + fidelity bond renewalForm 5500 + testing; valuation support + plan amendments
User experienceLive dashboard + dedicated conciergeFranPlan specialist + TPA specialist consultations
Business supportCap table + ongoing incorporation services included (registered-agent renewal + filing service fees)Ongoing incorporation services sold separately
Funding timingMost plans: 2–3 weeksAdvertised: as little as 10 business days

Recurring amounts are annualized from published monthly or quarterly prices. Confirm current pricing, third-party fees, inclusions, and exclusions directly with each provider.

What matters

Nexus is a stronger ROBS product at the same price

The price is the same

Nexus and FranFund both cost about $7,000 in year one. Nexus includes the broader operating product: dashboard, concierge, fidelity bond renewal, cap table and valuation records, registered-agent renewal, and filing service fees.

Nexus includes more after funding

Both handle core plan administration. Nexus also includes the corporate recordkeeping and renewals ROBS founders still need after the rollover.

Nexus also works with SBA lenders

Nexus supports franchise acquisitions and works with multiple SBA lenders. FranFund's clearest advantage is its longer franchise-industry history and optional in-house loan packaging.

Right fit for you

Nexus is the better ROBS product. FranFund's edge is its franchise history.

Why Nexus wins

Broader scope, better experience, same price

  • Fast, tech-native setup with every next step in one dashboard.
  • Dedicated concierge support and relationships with numerous SBA lenders.
  • Ongoing products and support for the lifecycle of a ROBS-funded business.

Where FranFund stands out

Longer history in the franchise ecosystem

  • Two decades serving franchise buyers.
  • Specialist-led FranPlan consultations.
  • Optional SBA loan packaging for a separate fee.

Common questions

What is the all-in cost of Nexus compared with FranFund?
Nexus costs $7,000 in year one: $5,000 for setup and $2,000 for ongoing administration. FranFund's published FranPlan and administration prices total $6,975, which is effectively the same sticker price. Nexus includes the live dashboard, dedicated concierge, fidelity bond renewal, cap table and valuation records, registered-agent renewal, and filing service fees in that total. While FranFund does not publish one all-in price for every Nexus inclusion, comparable services are estimated at roughly $8,000–$9,500 in year one.
What does Nexus include at its standard price?
The $7,000 first-year total includes C-Corp and 401(k) plan setup, rollover coordination, stock issuance, and the first-year fidelity bond. Ongoing service includes Form 5500 work and testing, fidelity bond renewal, cap table and valuation records, registered-agent renewal, filing service fees, the live dashboard, and dedicated concierge support.
How is the Nexus customer experience different?
Nexus keeps setup, compliance, documents, deadlines, renewals, and next actions visible in one live dashboard with dedicated concierge support. FranFund uses a specialist-led process with unlimited FranPlan consultations and ongoing support from a third-party administrator.
Which provider is faster?
FranFund says FranPlan can fund in as little as 10 business days. Most Nexus plans move from intake to funded in 2–3 weeks. These are not guarantees; actual timing depends on incorporation, client documents, the bank, the current custodian, and any acquisition or SBA financing dependencies.
When might FranFund be the better fit?
FranFund may be the better fit if you are buying a franchise, want a specialist-led funding process, or expect to combine ROBS with SBA financing or another capitalization strategy. Its franchise ecosystem is the clearest reason to choose it over a general ROBS provider.

Sources: Nexus pricing, How Nexus works, FranFund pricing, FranFund FAQ, and FranFund 20 years.

This comparison is published by Nexus. Verify current terms and the scope of your engagement directly with each provider before choosing.

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