Banking crisis affects GE Capital lending to new franchisees
September 28, 2008
CNN Money: GE Capital's franchise finance arm is tightening its lending for new franchisees, the latest sign that Wall Street's turmoil is spreading to small businesses. The lender continues to do business with existing customers but is withholding offering rates until the market settles down.
Sharon Zackfia, a restaurant industry analyst, said that Sonic Corp. and Panera Bread Co. were two chains with a heavy reliance on franchise growth that could be most affected.Such moves could impede plans by restaurant operators to remodel existing stores, install new equipment, open new locations or convert existing company-owned stores to franchised locations.