09/28/2026
If you’re planning to buy a franchise with SBA financing, October 1, 2026, is an important deadline.
SBA SOP 50 10 8.1 changes how certain acquisition loans will be evaluated. For first-time buyers, the practical impact is significant:
• 1.25x debt-service coverage floor
• The business portion of the loan capped at 10-year amortization
• Projection-based underwriting no longer permitted to qualify the transaction
In practical terms, historical and adjusted cash flow will carry more weight. A strong forecast still matters for planning, but it may not overcome weak historical performance under the new rules.
Before submitting an offer, buyers should rework the math: purchase price, equity injection, seller financing, debt service, and the business’s demonstrated cash flow.
This is not a reason to panic. It is a reason to prepare early and structure the transaction around business reality.
Through HOF Franchise Consulting and The Lending Option, I help buyers navigate franchise selection and access 16+ financing products.
DM me or visit hoffranchiseconsulting.com to review your financing options before the change takes effect.