I can answer your question because I have seen it several times over the years working in the finance industry.

People can start a business and make it a multi million dollar business but it stops there. If you want to get any bigger you have to get venture capitalist like blackrock involved and they aren't going to get involved unless you push their agenda. They won't explicitly tell you they denied your application, they just ignore and denie you until they see the agenda being pushed. In chick-fil-a's case they don't want a loan since they are a private company they want a company like black rock as a consultant to "guide" them in ways to save money by using blackrock owned insurance companies, bank, manufacturing and other industries. Having them as a consultant guarantee they will always be approved and always get a good deal.

I know this because I've worked for several insurance companies. They start out small but once they hit around a billion they get a Rothschild or blackrock consultant firm to "guide" them. Suddenly they can get tons more capital and expanded their costumers.