The Franchise King Blog

US Government Frees Up $21 Million For Small Business Loans; No Mention Of "Start-Up" Assistance

It's great that the US Government is trying to address the lack of lending by the banks for small business loans. It's been a major problem, and has hindered our economic growth.

The banks have gone from lending money to anyone that had a pulse, to what's happening now;

They're looking for ways to turn loans down. That is what's happening, folks.

In this Washington Post story, David Cho writes that "administration officials say helping small businesses get credit remains a top priority. It is a critical component of the strategy to address the nation's high unemployment. More than half of all U.S. workers are at companies with fewer than 50 employees. Without access to loans, many of these firms are laying off workers or shutting their doors altogether." Read

One thing is still missing;

Wannabe Franchise Owners Need Start-Up Loans!

A couple of months back, I was somehow allowed to be on a conference call with CEO Matt Shay and some others, from The International Franchise Association. (IFA)

The topic was the lack of availability for small business loans.

I'm not sure why they allowed a non-IFA member on the call, but I was able to listen in, and participate. I asked Matt if my biggest concern was being addressed;

The lack of start-up franchise loan capital. 

Matt assured me that the needs of wannabe franchise owners were being discussed with the folks on Capitol Hill. 

As of this writing, I have yet to hear anything mentioned with reference to start-up loans. I'm still only hearing things about current franchise owners needing and finally starting to get some money.

What about you? 

(Aff Link)

The International Franchise Association's 5 Point Economic Recovery Plan

We could be reaching the bottom. The bottom of this down economic cycle, that is.

I hope that I am right.

Just in case we have not reached the bottom, there is a recovery plan already in place for the franchise industry. I'll just bet you didn't know that.

The Internationa Franchise Association has formally proposed one.

Go here to see what The IFA is proposing

What do you think? Is it a good plan? Will it energize the franchise industry?

Do you have a plan?

What else do we need???

Franchise Statistics Statistically Flawed

                                                                                                              

         
Can you say the title of this post 7 times really fast?

Can you believe every statistic you read?

Is it possible that all of those statistics that have been whipped around the internet concerning the success rates of franchise owners vs. non-franchise owners are a little flawed?

Does that make investing in your own franchise a losing proposition? No way!

Just do your homework, which now includes reading this.

Franchise Directories Rated!

                                       

                                                                  

As a contributing writer for Anita Campbell's highly influential Small Business Trends website, I get to choose the topics I write about as they relate to franchising, and small business.

In my most recent column, Anita actually suggested that I do one that ranks some popular Franchise Directories. Here is an excerpt: 

"It used to be if one wanted to find a list of franchises to check out for possible purchase, you would go out and buy a couple of entrepreneurial/business opportunity magazines from a bookstore, spend a Saturday afternoon circling the ones of interest, and then contact them to request more information.

There were even a few “Business Opportunity” directories that one could purchase in order to find out what franchises were available to look at.

Ahhhh. The good old days …."

Please continue reading the article, and see who was rated, here.

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