The IFA is urging the Senate to include an ammendment to new SBA legislation in an attempt to increase the size of SBA 7a and 504 loans. The IFA admits in its press release that "Nearly half of IFA members. . .indicated that access to capital is the most pressing issue they face in 2010.,. . .so that more franchise business owners can obtain the necessary start-up capital..."

With half of the IFA's members unable to get approval for regular bank loans for franchise start ups and, instead, need a 90% guarantee from the SBA for the banks to consider providing the loans begs the question 'What is the true financial viability of these systems'?

As for jobs, it would be interesting to see what percentage of 'franchise jobs' pay around minimum wage.  Yes, they may help in lowering a headline unemployment rate number, but what is their impact in creating a liveable income for the employee?

for every incremental $1 billion in lending, franchised businesses can create 40,400 jobs —  Franchising.com

With the increase in outsourcing and the increase of franchise jobs over the last 15+ years, is this the future of America's employment growth?