{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/sba-franchise-directory","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/sba-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":"sba-franchise-directory","term":"SBA Franchise Directory","group":"People and paperwork","definition":"A list of franchise systems that the SBA has reviewed and deemed eligible for 7(a) loan financing. If your target franchise isn't on it, getting an SBA loan is much harder.","what_it_means":"If you're buying a franchise, check this directory first. If the franchise isn't listed, your lender will need to submit the franchise agreement to the SBA for review, which adds significant time and uncertainty to your deal. Prioritize franchises already on the list.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/sba-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"},{"slug":"13-cfr-part-120","title":"13 CFR Part 120 — Business Loans","official_url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-13/chapter-I/part-120","official_label":"View on eCFR","authority_tier":1,"publisher":"Office of the Federal Register","source_guide_url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/sources/13-cfr-part-120"}],"related":[{"slug":"franchise-directory","term":"Franchise Directory","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/franchise-directory"},{"slug":"franchise-agreement","term":"Franchise agreement","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/franchise-agreement"},{"slug":"7a-loan","term":"7(a) loan","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/7a-loan"},{"slug":"franchise","term":"Franchise","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/franchise"}],"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"}]},"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 — SBA Franchise Directory","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/sba-franchise-directory","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}