Small Business & Franchise — 2026-10-29

Key Highlights

• SBA Lender Concentration Risks: A Business Journals analysis reveals that concentration among top SBA lenders threatens small business access to the 7(a) loan program.
• Dunkin' Corporate Acquisition: An acquisition deal has provided Dunkin' with corporate-owned locations for the first time in five years.
• Dickey’s Barbecue Pit Expansion: Dickey’s Barbecue Pit is continuing its expansion in South Texas with a new location in McAllen that opened on Tuesday, October 27.
• Snap-on Acquisition of Diesel Laptops: Snap-on Incorporated announced the acquisition of Diesel Laptops, LLC for approximately $100 million in cash.
• Franchise Readiness for Entrepreneurs: Forbes highlights that franchising offers entrepreneurs a way to expand without taking on debt or equity dilution, though businesses must assess readiness before pivoting to a franchise model.

Policy & Funding Watch

• New SBA Rules Effective: New SBA rules took effect on October 1, 2026, with most changes targeting business acquisitions, though some changes may impact franchise brand financing.
• SBA Loan Limits Updated: Current SBA loan limits have been updated for 2026, including the new combined 7(a) and 504 maximums.
• SBA Eligibility Changes: Pasadena Private Lending is reviewing additional 2026 SBA eligibility changes, providing further detail on recent adjustments.

3 sources

sba.gov

sba.gov

sba.gov

Fund your small business with SBA loans

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Franchise Spotlight

• Dickey’s Barbecue Pit: The brand is expanding in South Texas with a new McAllen location, opening on October 27, 2026, to make it easier to order Texas barbecue.
• Dunkin' Model Shift: Dunkin' has acquired corporate-owned locations, marking a significant shift in its franchise model as it is the first time in five years the brand has held corporate-owned units.

Owner Success Stories

• Dickey’s Barbecue Pit Operators: New franchisees or operators in McAllen, Texas, are capitalizing on the brand's expansion into South Texas with the new location opening on October 27, 2026.

Market & Capital Pulse

• Snap-on M&A Activity: Snap-on Incorporated executed a significant M&A move by acquiring Diesel Laptops, LLC for approximately $100 million in cash, signaling continued activity in the franchise supplier sector.
• Franchise M&A Trends: Private equity firms are turning their attention to franchise suppliers, leading to increased M&A activity in this sector.

What to Watch Next

• SBA 7(a) Lending Volume: Monitor how the concentration among top lenders affects overall 7(a) loan availability in the coming months.
• Franchise System Growth: Watch for further expansion announcements from brands like Dickey’s Barbecue Pit as they continue to grow in new territories.

Reader Action Items

• Check SBA Loan Limits: Review the updated 2026 SBA loan limits, including the new combined 7(a) and 504 maximums, to determine borrowing capacity.
• Assess Franchise Readiness: If considering franchising your business, evaluate whether your company is ready to expand via a franchise model without debt or equity dilution.
• Review SBA Eligibility: Look into the additional 2026 SBA eligibility changes to ensure your business qualifies for current programs.
• Monitor Lender Concentration: Keep an eye on reports regarding SBA lender concentration to understand potential impacts on loan access.