{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/deal-structure","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/deal-structure","data_freshness":{"sba_records_through":"2026-05-31","fdic_records_through":"2026-03-31","dealroom_last_updated":"2026-06-15","timezone":"America/Chicago"},"source_summary":["Public SBA 7(a) loan records","FDIC institution data","DealRoom lender and franchise enrichment"],"term":{"slug":"deal-structure","term":"Deal Structure","group":"Doing the deal","definition":"This refers to how an acquisition is legally and financially arranged, including what is being bought (assets or stock), the financing mix, and payment terms. It dictates the entire transaction.","what_it_means":"Your Deal Structure defines whether you're doing an Asset Purchase or a Stock Purchase, the amount of your Equity Injection, any Seller Note, and how the 7(a) loan is integrated. This structure has significant implications for taxes, liabilities, and the lender's willingness to fund, so work closely with your attorney and M&A advisor.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/deal-structure","official_sources":[],"related":[{"slug":"asset-purchase","term":"Asset purchase","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/asset-purchase"},{"slug":"stock-purchase","term":"Stock purchase","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/stock-purchase"},{"slug":"equity-injection","term":"Equity injection","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/equity-injection"},{"slug":"seller-note","term":"Seller note","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/seller-note"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"What are the common deal-killing issues during underwriting of an SBA 7(a) acquisition loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/what-are-the-common-deal-killing-issues-during-underwriting-of-an-sba-7-a-acquisition-loan"},{"question":"If the seller refuses to provide a standby note for their portion, does that kill the deal?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/if-the-seller-refuses-to-provide-a-standby-note-for-their-portion-does-that-kill-the-deal"},{"question":"If the business I'm buying has a temporary decline in revenue during due diligence, will it kill the deal?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/if-the-business-i-m-buying-has-a-temporary-decline-in-revenue-during-due-diligence-will-it"},{"question":"How does the purchase agreement structure affect an SBA partner buyout?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/how-does-the-purchase-agreement-structure-affect-an-sba-partner-buyout"},{"question":"If the business I'm buying has a temporary decline in revenue during the due diligence period, will it kill the deal?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/if-the-business-i-m-buying-has-a-temporary-decline-in-revenue-during-the-due-diligence-per"},{"question":"Can I change my business structure after getting an SBA 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/can-i-change-my-business-structure-after-getting-an-sba-7-a-loan"}]},"caveats":["Definitions represent DealRoom's plain-English interpretation for buyers; verify regulatory terms against the official SBA and eCFR sources listed.","Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an SBA eligibility determination."],"citation":{"label":"DealRoom.so Glossary — Deal Structure","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/deal-structure","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}