The decisions behind the numbers
Independent, plain-English coverage of franchise ownership — is a franchise worth it, how to finance one, how to read an FDD, and what the disclosure documents quietly leave out. Grounded in primary filings.
7 ARTICLES
SBA Loan to Buy an Existing Franchise: The New 1.25 Test
Since October 1, 2026, an SBA loan to buy an existing franchise must clear 1.25x coverage on the unit's real history. That quietly screens out buy-a-job resales.
Is a Commercial Cleaning Franchise Worth It? What the FDD and a D.C. Settlement Reveal
Jan-Pro, Jani-King, and Coverall use a master franchise model most buyers don't understand. A 2026 D.C. settlement and FDD data break down what you're actually buying.
Are Semi-Absentee Franchises Worth It? The Real Cost of Hiring a Manager
Brokers sell "semi-absentee" franchises as passive income. Across our FDD files, only two run hands-off on a single unit — and a manager's salary is why.
How to Finance a Franchise: SBA Loans, Fees, and What Lenders Actually Want
Most franchisees don't pay cash. Here's how franchise financing really works — SBA 7(a) loans, down payments, the FDD figures lenders check, and the costs the pitch leaves out.
How to Read a Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD): The 6 Items That Matter Most
An FDD is 200+ pages, but six items decide whether the deal is good: the fees, the real investment, the earnings claim, the unit turnover, and the franchisee list. Here's how to read them.
Is Buying a Franchise Actually Worth It? An Honest Look at the Numbers
Franchises promise a proven system — but the FDDs tell a more complicated story. What a franchise really costs, what owners actually keep, and how to decide if it's worth it.
Job, Asset, or Trap? Which Franchises Actually Pay — and Which Just Look Like They Do
Average unit revenue is a vanity metric. The real question before you alter your life for a franchise: are you buying a job, an asset, or a trap? A blunt framework applied to 19 brands.
Every post is grounded in primary sources — FDD filings, the FTC Franchise Rule, and state registration records — with figures cited and the fine print attached. Read our methodology.