*By Christian Smith*
As the partial federal government shutdown enters enters its 27th day, American businesses are beginning to feel the strain.
For Fat Brands Inc. ($FAT) ー which owns a number of fast food brands Fatburger, among them ー the consequences of the shutdown are slowly trickling up to corporate, but president and CEO Andy Wiederhorn said franchisees are thus far bearing the brunt of the shutdown.
"I think it's really much harder on the franchise operators because they're trying to build stores they've already started to build, or they've got a lease signed up and now they need their loan to get going for construction," Wiederhorn said Wednesday in an interview with Cheddar.
With the Small Business Administration closed, small businesses are unable to access SBA-backed loans. The SBA usually manages over 300 loans each day, which [The Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2019/01/11/congresswoman-calls-trump-restart-small-business-lending-level-anxiety-is-unprecedented/?utm_term=.f50572777f74) reported amounts to roughly $200 million worth of loans for small and midsize businesses.
Small business owners in need of capital during the shutdown must turn to other sources of funding, such as non-SBA-backed loans, which generally come with higher interest rates.
But Wiederhorn noted that every sector of business ー even the major players ー is experiencing negative side effects.
"It's affecting everybody, not just small business, but large business," he said. "It's really very difficult."
For full interview [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/fat-brands-inc-ceo-explains-how-the-government-shutdown-is-impacting-americas-small-businesses).
Government spending is at record levels under the Trump administration and its drawing attention to the U.S. tax code. Cheddar's Kristen Scholer breaks takes a look at how Trump and Biden tax plans compare.
For countries around the planet, the presidency of Donald Trump in its first term has been, it is safe to say, a singular experience to watch.
Former Vice President Joe Biden has been hoping to match Trump in the one area where the president dominates most — social media advertising.
The Republican and Democratic candidates for Utah's gubernatorial seat having linked arms for an unconventional campaign ad that shows despite conflicting ideas, civility is possible. Lt. Governor Spencer Cox and Democratic challenger, Chris Peterson joined Cheddar to discuss how civility among people and politicians can move the country forward.
With weekly jobless claims remaining high, voters might want to know more about what former Vice President Joe Biden and President Donald Trump intend to do on the issue of labor.
Voters in Arizona, Montana, and New Jersey will vote on adult-use cannabis legalization, while voters in Mississippi will decide on medical cannabis and South Dakota will consider both medical and adult-use simultaneously.
Digital political ads , while not the primary source for campaigns, are growing in popularity. Cheddar's Michelle Castillo takes a look at how Facebook's political ad policies are being implemented.
Police are investigating vandalism that left several headstones at a Jewish cemetery in Grand Rapids spray-painted with “TRUMP” and “MAGA” before President Donald Trump held his final campaign rally in the western Michigan city.
Ryan Merkley, Wikimedia Foundation's chief of staff, joined Cheddar to discuss how Wikipedia is combating the spread of misinformation on Election Day.
Ahead of Tuesday's election, we're breaking down the candidates proposals on the federal minimum wage, particularly as the cost of living rises.
