Independent franchise research, built on public data.

FranchiseVerdict is a data-driven franchise research platform. We help prospective franchisees, SBA lenders, and search fund operators evaluate franchise opportunities using data that franchisors are legally required to disclose, but rarely make easy to compare.

What we do

We extract, normalize, and cross-reference data from two primary public sources:

• Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDDs) — legally mandated filings that franchisors submit to state regulators. We parse Items 5, 6, 7, 12, 17, 19, and 20 covering franchise fees, investment ranges, financial performance, litigation, and contract terms.
• SBA 7(a) loan records — public records obtained via FOIA covering Small Business Administration-guaranteed franchise loans. We match these to FDD brands to provide actual loan default rates, lending volumes, and lender performance data.

The crossover of FDD financial data with real SBA loan outcomes is unique to FranchiseVerdict. No other platform combines these two datasets to give franchise investors a complete picture of both disclosed financials and actual lending risk.

Our rating system

Every brand receives a Verdict Grade (A through F) derived from a composite risk score that weighs SBA loan default rates, unit growth trajectory, FDD data completeness, and financial disclosure quality. The methodology is fully documented and transparent.

Read the full methodology →

What we believe

• Franchise investment decisions should be based on data, not sales pitches.
• FDD data is public information that should be freely accessible and comparable.
• SBA loan outcomes are the closest thing to a franchise “report card” that exists.
• Transparency about data gaps is as important as the data itself.

Important disclaimer

FranchiseVerdict provides informational data only. We are not financial advisors, franchise brokers, or attorneys. Our Verdict Grades are algorithmic assessments based on public data and should not be construed as investment recommendations. Always consult qualified professionals and conduct your own due diligence before making franchise investment decisions.