Funding a new business has gotten more challening in today's credit crisis, there's no doubt about it. But franchisors and franchisees alike are coming up with creative solutions to a bank loan.

Many franchisors solve the problem by arranging for third-party loans or in-house loan facilities. Of course, a credit score is an important part of the puzzle. Other franchisors have registered their companies with the Small Business Administration which can make it easier -- or at least require less paperwork -- in getting an SBA-backed loan. In the current environment, even franchisors who didn't offer such a program six months ago are getting in on the act; their survival depends on it. So, for those who might have explored franchise finance a year or two ago, look again.

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