Coleman’s SBA Franchise Risk Grade Report

Make smarter, faster SBA lending decisions – all in one place – for only $295.

The Most Trusted Franchise Lending Intelligence for SBA Underwriters

The Coleman Franchise Report is the only franchise intelligence tool built specifically for SBA loan underwriters. Packed with up-to-date SBA loan data, FDD analysis, and impartial Coleman Franchise Risk Grades, it delivers the transparency and confidence underwriters need to make better lending decisions.

Sorting through spreadsheets and cumbersome directories can take up valuable time and leave you with more questions than answers. Now, there’s a smarter way to assess SBA franchise eligibility—without the headaches.

For only $295, you can access a comprehensive, low-cost report from the Coleman Report. This report is tailored to your specific needs and evaluates franchises using key SBA criteria, saving you countless hours of research. Empower your underwriters with precise, reliable data and our simple Grading Scale (AAA to F), helping you determine the viability of a franchise with confidence!

Benefits of the Coleman Franchise Report:

  1. Save Time: No more combing through spreadsheets. Our concise report gives you what you need—fast.
  2. Affordable & Updated: For just $95 per transaction, our report delivers the insight you need at a fraction of the cost. Plus, it’s dynamically updated to reflect the latest franchise information.
  3. Independence You Can Trust: Coleman Report is an independent source that does not accept fees or incentives from franchisors. You can trust that the data is unbiased and focused entirely on your needs as a lender.
  4. Simple Grading Scale (AAA to F): A straightforward grading system based on key performance and risk factors, helping you quickly assess franchise eligibility and potential.
Pay Online – $295 Single Report
Download Registration Form

Why SBA Loan Underwriters Need This Report

Instant Franchise Eligibility Check

Quickly confirm whether a franchise is SBA-approved with our SBA Franchise Directory Eligibility section.

Independent Franchise Risk Ratings

Understand risk at a glance with the Coleman Franchise Risk Rating (CFR)—an unbiased, performance-based grade from AAA to F. This rating is built solely on SBA loan performance data and cannot be influenced by franchisors. The methodology is transparent and included for underwriters.

Complete SBA Loan History

Access every SBA 7(a) loan since 2018, with comprehensive loan-level detail including:

  • Borrower name
  • Lender
  • Loan amount
  • Interest rate
  • Location
  • Status (Active, PIF, Charged-Off)

Performance Tracking

Easily monitor loan outcomes with clear status updates: Active, Paid in Full, or Charged-Off. Quarterly updates keep you current with the latest SBA performance data.

Credit Memo-Ready Summaries

Save underwriting time with ready-to-use one-page executive summaries, perfectly formatted for SBA loan memos.

Gain Access to All 5,751 Grades with Purchase of Multi-Use License

This license gives you access to 5,751 Coleman franchise grades (CFR) for every franchise that’s received a franchise loan since 2018.

Table of Contents

  1. Cover Sheet
  2. Executive Summary
  3. SBA Underwriter Analysis
  4. SBA Franchise Directory Eligibility
  5. FDD History – Item 1
  6. CFR Risk Rating
  7. Coleman Franchise Risk Rating Methodology
  8. SBA 7(a) Loan Performance Analysis
  9. FDD Item 19 – Franchise System Financial Performance
  10.  FDD Item 7 – Initial Franchise Fees
  11.  FDD Item 20 – Franchise System Trends
  12. FDD Item 21 – Franchisor Financial Statement
  13.  FDD Management – Item 2
  14.  FDD Litigation – Item 3
  15.  FDD Bankruptcy – Item 4
  16.  Online and Social Media Review
  17.  Appendix – SBA 7(a) Loan Data

Methodology Summary – How CFR Grades Are Calculated

The Coleman Franchise Risk (CFR) Grade is the foundation of the Coleman Franchise Report. It is an objective, data-driven system designed to standardize the evaluation of franchise credit performance.

  • Source Data: Every SBA loan issued from 2018 updated quarterly.
  • Impartial Process: Franchisors cannot alter or influence their grade.
  • 8-Point Scale: Grades range from AAA (elite, safest) to F (do not lend).
  • Two Key Factors:
    1. Loan Volume – Larger histories give more reliable results.
    2. Charge-Off Record – Ratio of defaults to approvals reveals repayment performance.
  • Balanced Approach: Accounts for both scale and outcomes, ensuring fairness to small and large systems alike.

Portfolio Distribution (8-Grade Scale)

  • AAA (57 franchises | 1.0%) – Elite brands with flawless repayment history, exceptional stability, and the strongest track record. Safest lending opportunities.
  • AA (58 franchises | 1.0%) – Strong, consistent performers with solid profitability and minimal loan losses. Highly reliable.
  • A (89 franchises | 1.5%) – Established brands with healthy performance and lower-than-average failures. Manageable risk with strong lending potential.
  • BB (227 franchises | 3.9%) – Very good repayment behavior and resilience. Attractive for lenders but require ongoing monitoring.
  • B (609 franchises | 10.6%) – Acceptable borrowers with decent repayment performance. Require underwriting judgment and risk mitigants.
  • C (4,225 franchises | 73.5%) – Largest group. Many fall here due to limited history or early-stage losses. Core of the sector, but underwriting must be case-by-case.
  • D (345 franchises | 6.0%) – Material concerns. Significant loan losses make lending rare; only with extraordinary safeguards.
  • F (139 franchises | 2.4%) – Catastrophic performance. Extremely high default risk; not financeable.

Price: $295

Order the Coleman Franchise Report today and give your underwriting team the most comprehensive, current, and impartial franchise lending intelligence available.

Pay Online – $295 Single Report
Download Registration Form

Logistics

Turnaround: 72 hours from receipt of the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD).
You may provide the FDD, or we can obtain it directly from the franchisor.

Deliverables: Reports are provided in both PDF and Word formats.

Purpose: Designed as a tool for your underwriter to quickly source data relevant to preparing the lender’s credit memo.

Licensing & Pricing

Multi-Use License:
Purchase 100 reports at $95 each (total $9,500).
There is no expiration date on this purchase.

This license gives you access to 5,751 Coleman franchise grades (CFR) for every franchise that’s received a franchise loan since 2018.

50 Reports + Ratings Annual Subscription — $4,995

For one flat price, get everything you need for smarter franchise underwriting:

  • 50 Coleman Franchise Reports
  • Monthly updated Franchise Ratings based on the latest SBA loan data
  • Ongoing updates so your risk analysis stays current

This package gives you both the depth of 50 reports and the confidence of monthly ratings updates — all for $4,995 for 12 months.

For details or to purchase, contact Bob Coleman at bob@colemanreport.com.

Online Data Access

Institution-wide online access to the complete database is available.
For pricing, please contact bob@colemanreport.com.

Pay Online – $295 Single Report
Download Registration Form