{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/sba-s-franchise-directory","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/sba-s-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-s-franchise-directory","term":"SBA's Franchise Directory","group":"People and paperwork","definition":"This is an online list of franchise systems pre-approved by the SBA, simplifying the eligibility process for 7(a) loans. If a franchise is listed, it means the SBA has already reviewed its agreement terms.","what_it_means":"Before pursuing an SBA 7(a) loan for a franchise, check this directory. If the franchise is \"SBA-approved,\" your lender can process the loan faster. If not, the lender will need to submit the Franchise Agreement to the SBA for review, which adds time to your closing.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/sba-s-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":"franchise","term":"Franchise","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/franchise"},{"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"}],"related_questions":[{"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":"How does a lender verify a franchise's current listing status on the SBA Franchise Directory?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/how-does-a-lender-verify-a-franchise-s-current-listing-status-on-the-sba-franchise-directo"},{"question":"Can an SBA 7(a) loan finance a franchise if it's not on the SBA Franchise Directory?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/can-an-sba-7-a-loan-finance-a-franchise-if-it-s-not-on-the-sba-franchise-directory"},{"question":"What if my desired franchise is not on the SBA's approved directory?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/what-if-my-desired-franchise-is-not-on-the-sba-s-approved-directory"},{"question":"What process must a lender follow if a franchise applicant's agreement is not listed on the SBA Franchise Directory?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-process-must-a-lender-follow-if-a-franchise-applicant-s-agreement-is-not-listed-on-th"},{"question":"What is the process for getting a franchise approved if it's new and not yet on the SBA Franchise Directory?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/what-is-the-process-for-getting-a-franchise-approved-if-it-s-new-and-not-yet-on-the-sba-fr"}]},"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's Franchise Directory","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/sba-s-franchise-directory","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}