Franchisors Offer Their Own Financing Programs
Savvy systems offer financial help to their franchisees.
Nearly 11,000 new U.S. franchise units opened their doors last year, the first gains the sector has seen since 2008, according to the International Franchise Association (IFA). But the industry--which now comprises more than 747,000 units, up 1.5 percent from 2011--remains in recovery mode. "We still have an 18 percent lending shortfall in the franchise industry," says IFA president and CEO Steve Caldeira.
Franchisors aren't taking the continued credit crunch lying down. Many, such as , and , now
