The reality is that most lenders will require a personal guarantee unless the structure itself removes their risk, very low leverage with hard collateral, institutional equity backing, or non-bank/mezz lenders willing to price the risk differently. Those scenarios exist, but they’re the exception. For ETA operators and independent sponsors, the question isn’t “can I avoid a PG” but how to structure and negotiate a deal so the risk is shared, limited, or offset while still keeping lenders and investors comfortable. That’s where having the right ecosystem around you makes all the difference. At DealFounders, we work with members end-to-end, sharpening acquisition skills, sourcing off-market opportunities, analyzing deals, structuring and negotiating terms, connecting with equity and lending partners, and supporting operators post-close as they grow. If you need help on these topics, you can reach out to me so I can forward you to the team. If you already have a deal and simply needs a financing partner you can trust, I always recommend ^redacted‌

We got a deal done without a PG with a commercial bank and terms (rate / amort) that were not much worse than a typical SBA package. It can be done, you just have to pitch a lot of lenders (well) and try to get one to differentiate by waiving it. It you make the lending processes competitive, you can try to dictate terms. Don't just settle for what one bank tells you. DM me if you want to discuss further.