{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-is-the-specific-lender-process-for-submitting-an-unlisted-franchise-agreement-for-sba","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/questions/what-is-the-specific-lender-process-for-submitting-an-unlisted-franchise-agreement-for-sba","question":"What is the specific lender process for submitting an unlisted franchise agreement for SBA review and eligibility determination?","topic":"Franchise eligibility","audience":"lender","bot_mode":"lender","short_answer":"If a franchise is not on the directory, the lender must submit the franchise agreement and all related documents directly to the SBA's Franchise Team for review and eligibility determination prior to loan approval.","rule":"SOP 50 10 requires all franchises to be listed on the SBA Franchise Directory or individually reviewed for eligibility. If a franchise is unlisted, the lender must upload a complete copy of the franchise agreement, disclosure documents, and any amendments to the SBA's Franchise Review Portal for a determination of its compliance with SBA eligibility requirements.","example":"A lender receives an application for a franchise not found on the directory. They compile the franchise agreement, FDD, and any addenda, then submit them through the SBA's designated portal. The SBA team then reviews for requirements like equity injection rules and control of the business.","what_lenders_check":"Lenders must not proceed with loan approval until the SBA has confirmed the franchise's eligibility. Approving a loan for an ineligible franchise will result in a guaranty repair or denial.","required_facts":["Franchise directory","Franchise agreement","SBA review","Eligibility determination","Compliance"],"source_families":["SOP 50 10 - Lender and Development Company Loan Programs","13 CFR Part 120 - Business Loans"],"official_sources":[{"title":"SOP 50 10 - Lender and Development Company Loan Programs","url":"https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2025-05/SOP%2050%2010%208%20Technical%20Updates%20effective%206.1.2025.docx"},{"title":"13 CFR Part 120 - Business Loans","url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-13/chapter-I/part-120"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"What are the specific criteria for a new franchise model to be included on the SBA Franchise Directory?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-are-the-specific-criteria-for-a-new-franchise-model-to-be-included-on-the-sba-franchi"},{"question":"How does a lender determine if a franchise agreement contains impermissible control provisions not listed on the Directory?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/how-does-a-lender-determine-if-a-franchise-agreement-contains-impermissible-control-provis"},{"question":"What are the specific requirements for a lender to obtain an approved franchise agreement for a 7(a) loan when the franchise is not listed on the SBA Franchise Directory?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-are-the-specific-requirements-for-a-lender-to-obtain-an-approved-franchise-agreement-"},{"question":"Which specific provisions in a franchise agreement raise red flags for undue franchisor control, making it ineligible for a 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/which-specific-provisions-in-a-franchise-agreement-raise-red-flags-for-undue-franchisor-co"},{"question":"Can an existing franchise location that is not currently listed on the SBA Franchise Directory be eligible for a 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/can-an-existing-franchise-location-that-is-not-currently-listed-on-the-sba-franchise-direc"},{"question":"How does the SBA determine if a franchise agreement grants the franchisor 'undue control' over the franchisee, impacting 7(a) eligibility?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/how-does-the-sba-determine-if-a-franchise-agreement-grants-the-franchisor-undue-control-ov"}],"related_terms":[{"term":"Unlisted Franchise Agreement","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/unlisted-franchise-agreement"},{"term":"Franchise agreement","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/franchise-agreement"},{"term":"Franchise Eligibility Review","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/franchise-eligibility-review"},{"term":"Franchise Review Portal","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/franchise-review-portal"},{"term":"SBA lender","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/sba-lender"},{"term":"Franchise Agreement Addendum","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/franchise-agreement-addendum"}],"related_tools":[{"name":"SBA 7(a) payment & fee calculator","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/calculator"},{"name":"Find an active SBA 7(a) lender","url":"https://dealroom.so/lenders"}],"data_freshness":{"last_reviewed":"2026-06-13","sba_rule_sources_checked_through":"2026-06-13"},"citation":{"label":"DealRoom.so SBA 7(a) Q&A","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-is-the-specific-lender-process-for-submitting-an-unlisted-franchise-agreement-for-sba","source_type":"DealRoom Q&A"},"caveats":["Grounded in the current SBA rulebook; verify against official sources before relying on it for a live deal.","Not legal, tax, or financial advice and not an approval decision."]}