Links
The following links are to the federal and state agencies that oversee franchising in the United States.
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
Franchise and Business Opportunities Home Page:
http://business.ftc.gov/selected-industries/franchises-and-business-opportunities
Publications:
“Buying a Franchise: A Consumer Guide”
http://business.ftc.gov/documents/inv05-buying-franchise-consumer-guide
“Franchise and Business Opportunity FAQs”
www.ftc.gov/bcp/franchise/faq1.htm
“Franchise Rule Compliance Guide”
www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/guidance/franchise-rule-compliance-guide
STATES WITH FRANCHISE-RELATED SITES:
California:
Cal. Department of Corporations, Franchise Division Web Page
www.dbo.ca.gov/Licensees/franchise_investment_law/
Publications:
“Look Before You Leap: A Guide To Buying A Franchise”
www.dbo.ca.gov/Licensees/franchise_investment_law/pdf/Look_Before_You_Leap_ENG.pdf
“Before You Buy A Franchise”
www.dbo.ca.gov/Licensees/franchise_investment_law/pdf/bybaf.pdf
Hawaii:
Hawaii Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs
http://hawaii.gov/dcca
Illinois:
Illinois Attorney General – Franchise Web Page
http://illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/consumers/franchise.html
Publications:
“The Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act and Rules – Know Your Rights and Responsibilities”
www.ag.state.il.us/publications/pdf/actrules_fran.pdf
“Before You Buy A Franchise – Understand Your Risks”
www.ag.state.il.us/publications/pdf/b4ubuy.pdf
Indiana:
Indiana Secretary of State, Securities Div.
www.in.gov/sos/securities/2806.htm
Maryland:
Maryland Attorney General, Securities Div.
www.oag.state.md.us/securities/index.htm
Michigan:
Michigan Attorney General
www.michigan.gov/ag/0,4534,7-164-48127-198444--F,00.html
Publication:
“Guidelines For Prospective Franchisees”
www.michigan.gov/documents/mifran_guide_40368_7.pdf
Minnesota:
Minnesota Department of Commerce – Franchises
https://mn.gov/commerce/industries/securities/franchises/
New York:
New York State Attorney General – Franchise Web Page
www.ag.ny.gov/investor-protection/franchisors-franchisees
Publication:
“What To Consider Before Buying A Franchise”
www.ag.ny.gov/sites/default/files/pdfs/publications/What%2520to%2520Consider%2520Before%2520Buying%2520a%2520Franchise.pdf
North Dakota:
North Dakota Securities Department – Franchise Web Page
www.nd.gov/securities/franchise-registration
Oregon:
Oregon Dept. of Consumer Business Services, Division of Finance & Corporate Securities - Franchises
www.cbs.state.or.us/dfcs/franchises.html
Rhode Island:
Rhode Island Dept. of Business Regulation, Division of Securities Regulation, Franchising Section
www.dbr.ri.gov/divisions/securities/franchising.php
South Dakota:
S. Dakota Dept. of Revenue & Regulation, Division of Securities
www.state.sd.us/drr2/reg/securities/security.htm
Virginia:
Virginia State Corporation Commission, Division of Securities and Retail Franchising Home Page
www.scc.virginia.gov/srf/
Washington:
Department of Financial Institutions, Securities Division, Franchise
Registration and Exemption Home Page
www.dfi.wa.gov/sd/franchise.htm
Publications:
“Buying A Business Opportunity Or Franchise”
http://dfi.wa.gov/sd/bobuying.htm
“Avoiding Business Opportunity Fraud”
http://dfi.wa.gov/sd/businessfraud.htm