{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/operating-plan","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/operating-plan","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-plan","term":"Operating Plan","group":"Reading the business","definition":"This is your detailed roadmap for how the business will run after you take over, covering everything from daily operations to growth strategies.","what_it_means":"Your Operating plan is a critical component of your Business plan for the lender. It demonstrates your understanding of the business and how you'll manage it to ensure Repayment capacity. It should address staffing, marketing, and how you'll maintain or improve Operational capacity.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/operating-plan","official_sources":[],"related":[{"slug":"business-plan","term":"Business plan","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/business-plan"},{"slug":"repayment-capacity","term":"Repayment capacity","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/repayment-capacity"},{"slug":"operational-capacity","term":"Operational Capacity","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/operational-capacity"},{"slug":"financial-projections","term":"Financial projections","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/financial-projections"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"If I plan to inject operating capital into the business after closing, can that count towards my equity injection?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/if-i-plan-to-inject-operating-capital-into-the-business-after-closing-can-that-count-towar"},{"question":"How does an operating agreement impact an SBA partner buyout loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/how-does-an-operating-agreement-impact-an-sba-partner-buyout-loan"},{"question":"What duration of post-acquisition operating expenses can working capital typically cover?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/what-duration-of-post-acquisition-operating-expenses-can-working-capital-typically-cover"},{"question":"Is a comprehensive business plan mandatory for an SBA 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/is-a-comprehensive-business-plan-mandatory-for-an-sba-7-a-loan"},{"question":"Are there any minimum requirements for how long my business has been operating?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/are-there-any-minimum-requirements-for-how-long-my-business-has-been-operating"},{"question":"Does my business need to be operating for a certain time before applying?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/does-my-business-need-to-be-operating-for-a-certain-time-before-applying"}]},"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 Plan","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/operating-plan","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}