{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/franchise-directory","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/franchise-directory","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":"franchise-directory","term":"Franchise Directory","group":"Doing the deal","definition":"The SBA's list of approved franchise brands. A franchise must be on it to get a 7(a). Check before you fall in love.","what_it_means":"The SBA Franchise Directory is the official list of franchise brands that have been pre-approved for SBA 7(a) financing. If you're buying a franchise that isn't on the list, no SBA lender can fund it — period. The directory is updated periodically, and brands can be added or removed. Check the directory at the start of your franchise search, and confirm the specific brand and trade name (not just the parent company) appears on the approved list.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/franchise-directory","official_sources":[{"slug":"sop-50-10","title":"SOP 50 10 — Lender and Development Company Loan Programs","official_url":"https://www.sba.gov/document/sop-50-10-lender-development-company-loan-programs","official_label":"View on SBA.gov","authority_tier":2,"publisher":"U.S. Small Business Administration","source_guide_url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/sources/sop-50-10"}],"related":[{"slug":"7a-loan","term":"7(a) loan","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/7a-loan"},{"slug":"change-of-ownership","term":"Change of ownership","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/change-of-ownership"},{"slug":"sop-50-10","term":"SOP 50 10","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/sop-50-10"},{"slug":"business-acquisition-loan","term":"Business acquisition loan","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/business-acquisition-loan"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"What if a franchise agreement is not listed on the SBA Franchise Directory?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-if-a-franchise-agreement-is-not-listed-on-the-sba-franchise-directory"},{"question":"What due diligence is required for a franchise not on the SBA Franchise Directory?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/what-due-diligence-is-required-for-a-franchise-not-on-the-sba-franchise-directory"},{"question":"How does a lender confirm a franchise is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/how-does-a-lender-confirm-a-franchise-is-listed-on-the-sba-franchise-directory"},{"question":"What is required if a franchise agreement is not listed on the SBA Franchise Directory?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/what-is-required-if-a-franchise-agreement-is-not-listed-on-the-sba-franchise-directory"},{"question":"What if the franchise I want to buy is not on the SBA's Franchise Directory?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/what-if-the-franchise-i-want-to-buy-is-not-on-the-sba-s-franchise-directory"},{"question":"What are the eligibility requirements for a franchise business not listed on the SBA Franchise Directory?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-are-the-eligibility-requirements-for-a-franchise-business-not-listed-on-the-sba-franc"}],"related_tool":{"label":"Franchise finder","url":"https://dealroom.so/franchises"}},"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 — Franchise Directory","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/franchise-directory","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}