Franchise Education Center
“The more you learn, the less you know.”
- Anonymous
2026 Franchise Development Market Update: A Look Back at Q1 Through Q3
Three quarters into 2026, the franchise development market looks different than it did a year ago. Budgets are still climbing. But the bigger story is how the rules of winning a franchisee changed. This franchise development market update looks back at January through September and what it means for the rest of your year.
Franchise Buyer Persona Profile: The Millennial / Gen Z Digital-Native
The Millennial / Gen Z Digital-Native buyer is younger than most candidates in a franchisor's pipeline, moves faster than nearly every other persona, and evaluates a brand through a lens that older buyers rarely apply. Franchisors who understand that lens gain access to a growing pool of ambitious, technically fluent owners.
SBA Financing Changes and The Impacts on Franchise Development
Over the next 12 to 18 months, the SBA is rolling out some of the most consequential franchise financing changes in years, reshaping who qualifies for SBA-backed loans and how those loans are underwritten. For franchisors and development teams that rely on 7(a) and 504 financing to support growth, these are not minor compliance updates. They affect candidate eligibility, lender review, capital requirements, approval timelines, and ultimately how scalable a franchise model is when prospective owners need outside financing.