SBA Franchise Directory Returns: What It Means for Franchisees in 2025
SBA Franchise Directory Returns: What It Means for Franchisees in 2025
The SBA Franchise Directory is back thank goodness. The new SBA rules, effective on June 1, 2025, brings back this list of pre-approved franchise brands making life so much easier for banks, brands and the franchise borrowers. Let’s break down what it means for you and how LoanBox makes financing your franchise a breeze.
What You Need to Know
The SBA Franchise Directory is a list of franchise brands that meet the SBA’s eligibility rules, streamlining the loan process for franchisees. The SOP 50 10 8 reinstates it.
About the SBA Franchise Directory
The Directory lists franchises that the SBA has vetted for compliance with its rules, like having clear franchise agreements and no excessive franchisor control. If your franchise is on the list:
Lenders skip extra eligibility checks, speeding up your loan application.
You avoid proving your franchise meets SBA standards, saving time and paperwork. If it’s not listed, you’ll need to submit additional documents, like the franchise agreement, for review.
Why the Directory’s Return Matters
The Directory was paused in recent years, making franchise loans slower as lenders had to verify each brand’s eligibility.
Its return in 2025:
Speeds Up Approvals: Listed franchises get a fast track, often cutting weeks off the process.
Reduces Paperwork: You focus on your financials, not proving your franchise qualifies.
Boosts Confidence: Lenders are more comfortable with pre-approved brands, improving your approval odds.
Helps Newer Brands: Over the last two years many SBA lenders have mostly ignored newer franchise brand concepts or brands new to SBA loans if they were not on the directory prior.
How to Check If Your Franchise Is Listed
Visit the SBA’s website or ask your lender for the updated Franchise Directory.
LoanBox can confirm if yours is included, saving you the hassle.
If your franchise isn’t listed, you can still apply, but expect extra steps to prove eligibility.
Smart Franchisees Think Inside the LoanBox
Ready to finance your franchise with an SBA loan? For smart franchise lending think inside the LoanBox. Just log in, answer questionnaires, complete your loan package, and the platform will match you to the exact right lenders you match 100% of dozens of criteria points. Select which lenders you want to access your loan package and offer a loan proposal. Receive loan proposals from interested lenders, select the winning lender, and always know what’s going on from application to funding and what’s needed next in the loan process. Or have a friendly LoanBox Advisor just handle everything for you.