Small Business & Franchise — 2026-10-11
This week’s dominant story for small business owners is the ongoing adaptation to new SBA lending rules that took effect on October 1, which have tightened underwriting standards for business acquisitions and franchise financing. Despite these regulatory shifts, the franchise sector continues to see significant activity, with RaceTrac’s acquisition of Potbelly signaling continued M&A optimism, while operators like Bitty & Beau's Coffee expand their unique mobile models. Recent surveys indicate that despite inflationary pressures, 81% of small business owners are meeting or exceeding financial expectations in 2026. <!-- /headline --> **SBA Rule Changes Reshape Franchise Financing Landscape** <!-- /headline -->
4 min read/15 sources
