{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/operating-cash-flow","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/operating-cash-flow","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":"operating-cash-flow","term":"Operating Cash Flow","group":"Reading the business","definition":"The cash generated by a business's normal operations before accounting for financing or investment activities. It shows how much cash the business truly produces.","what_it_means":"When you're evaluating a business, focus on its Operating Cash Flow, not just net profit. This figure reflects the actual cash available to pay expenses, invest in the business, and most importantly, cover your new loan's Debt Service Requirements. It's a primary component of Adjusted Net Operating Income.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/operating-cash-flow","official_sources":[],"related":[{"slug":"cash-flow","term":"Cash flow","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/cash-flow"},{"slug":"adjusted-net-operating-income","term":"Adjusted Net Operating Income","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/adjusted-net-operating-income"},{"slug":"debt-service-requirements","term":"Debt Service Requirements","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/debt-service-requirements"},{"slug":"profit-and-loss-statement","term":"Profit and Loss Statement","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/profit-and-loss-statement"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"Can I use an SBA 7(a) loan for my business's daily operating expenses or cash flow?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/can-i-use-an-sba-7-a-loan-for-my-business-s-daily-operating-expenses-or-cash-flow"},{"question":"Can future cash flow or profits from the acquired business count as equity injection?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/can-future-cash-flow-or-profits-from-the-acquired-business-count-as-equity-injection"},{"question":"How can an SBA 7(a) loan help with ongoing cash flow for my business?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/how-can-an-sba-7-a-loan-help-with-ongoing-cash-flow-for-my-business"},{"question":"What is the primary factor a lender considers when evaluating the cash flow from an acquired business?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/what-is-the-primary-factor-a-lender-considers-when-evaluating-the-cash-flow-from-an-acquir"},{"question":"Are there any restrictions on the use of cash flow projections for an SBA 7(a) acquisition loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/are-there-any-restrictions-on-the-use-of-cash-flow-projections-for-an-sba-7-a-acquisition-"},{"question":"How does a lender evaluate the reasonableness of a borrower's projections for future revenue and cash flow?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/how-does-a-lender-evaluate-the-reasonableness-of-a-borrower-s-projections-for-future-reven"}]},"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 — Operating Cash Flow","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/operating-cash-flow","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}