state Franchise Registrations

expert Guidance in franchise development and Registration

Learn more about the franchise registration to legally offer and sell franchises within registration and filing states.
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Expert Franchise Planning and Compliance

Although franchise development goes well beyond the mandated Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and Operations Manual documents, effective franchise documents are pivotal for franchise compliance, operational consistency, optimal franchise expansion and long-term sales success. Brainchild Brands' seasoned franchise consultants and strategic attorney partners possess the expertise to craft a comprehensive Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDD), Franchise Agreements, Operations Manuals, and related documents to diligently cover every aspect of your business to protect your organization and boost franchise growth.

Understanding Franchise State Registration

There are three primary franchise state registration types: Franchise Registration States, Franchise Filing States, and Franchise Non-Registration States. Each comes with specific rules and regulations that franchisors must navigate.
Registration States
Filing States
Non-registration States
For those entering the franchise sector, franchise registration might appear rather complex. However, with guidance from seasoned franchise development experts and proper legal counsel, this process can be streamlined and made far more straightforward.
Many states often have varying requirements and annual registration mandates. For example, agencies within Franchise Registration States meticulously review the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) to ensure compliance with state regulations. They may request clarifications or revisions before granting approval. Mishandling this process can be time-consuming and exhausting.
All franchises must complete the franchise registration process to legally offer and sell franchises in franchise registration and filing states. While the state regulators do not validate the FDD's disclosures, they assess its compliance with their state regulations. Moreover, these examiners scrutinize the franchise's financial statements, franchise website and in some cases franchise marketing, and may make registration contingent on meeting financial assurance criteria.

Franchise Registration States

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) mandates that the franchisor's FDD must be registered, and fees paid in the respective state before offering and selling a franchise within the state. State examiners review the FDD and provide necessary edits to the franchisor before granting registration approval.
CALIFORNIADepartment of Corporations$675 Initial/Expired Registration$450 Renewal$50 Amended/Modified Registration
ILLINOISFranchise DivisionOffice of Attorney General$500 Initial/Expired Registration $100 Renewal $100 Amendment Fee MARYLANDFranchise Office Division of Securities$500 Initial/Expired Registration$250 Renewal$100 Amended Registration
NEW YORKFranchise & Securities DivisionState Department of Law$750 Initial/Expired Registration $150 Renewal$150 Amended Registration
RHODE ISLANDDivision of Securities, Franchise Office$600 Initial/Expired Registration$300 Renewal$120 Amended Registration
VIRGINIAFranchise Office StateCorporation Commission$500 Initial/Expired Registration$250 Renewal$100 Amended Registration
WISCONSINFranchise Office WisconsinSecurities Commission$400 Initial/Expired Registration$200 Amended Registration
HAWAIIFranchise & Securities Division$250 Initial/Expired Registration$250 Renewal/Amended Registration $250 Renewal
INDIANAFranchise Division Secretary of State$500 Initial/Expired Registration$250 Renewal $0 Amendment Fee (Single Unit within 24 Months Exception) MICHIGANDepartment of the Attorney GeneralConsumer Protection DivisionFranchise Unit$250 Initial/Expired Registration$250 Renewal$0 Amended Registration MINNESOTADepartment of Commerce Franchise Division$400 Initial/Expired Registration$200 Renewal$100 Amended Registration
NORTH DAKOTAState Securities Commissioner, Franchise Examiner$250 Initial/Expired Registration$100 Renewal$50 Amended Registration
SOUTH DAKOTADivision of Securities, Franchise Administration$250 Initial/Expired Registration$150 Renewal$0 Amended Registration
WASHINGTONDepartment of Financial Institutions, Securities Division$600 Initial/Expired Registration$100 Annual Report$100 Amended Registration

Franchise Filing States

Filing states require franchisors to file their FDD with the state. There is typically no FDD review process in filing states. Once the FDD is filed and fees are paid, the franchise is free to offer and sell franchises within the state.
CONNECTICUT Connecticut Department of Banking$400 Initial/Expired Registration$100 Renewal$0 Amended Registration FLORIDA - FRANCHISE EXEMPTION FILINGFlorida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services $100 Initial/Expired Registration$100 Renewal$0 Amended Registration KENTUCKY FRANCHISE FILING $0 Initial/Expired Registration$0 Renewal$0 Amended Registration MAINE Maine Department of Professional & Financial Regulation Office of Securities$25 Initial/Expired Registration$10 Renewal$0 Amended Registration NEBRASKA - EXEMPTION FILINGDepartment of Banking and Finance$100 Initial/Expired Registration$0 Renewal$0 Amended Registration
NORTH CAROLINA North Carolina Secretary of State$250 Initial/Expired Registration$250 Renewal$0 Amended Registration
SOUTH CAROLINA - EXEMPTION FILING Secretary of State$100 Initial/Expired Registration$0 Renewal$100 Amended Registration TEXAS - EXEMPTION FILING Secretary of State $25 One-Time Initial Fee$0 Renewal$0 Amended Registration UTAH - EXEMPTION FILINGState of Utah $100 Initial/Expired Registration$100 Renewal$0 Amended Registration

Franchise Non-Registration States

Non-registration states only require franchises to have a completed Federal Trade Commission FTC compliant FDD and a registered trademark. Once complete, they are free to offer and sell franchises without state involvement.
ALABAMA ALASKAARIZONAARKANSASCOLORADODELAWAREGEORGIAIDAHOIOWAKANSAS LOUISIANAMASSACHUSETTSMISSISSIPPI
MISSOURI MONTANANEVADANEW HAMPSHIRENEW JERSEYNEW MEXICOOKLAHOMAOREGONPENNSYLVANIATENNESSEEVERMONTWEST VIRGINIAWYOMING
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Brainchild Brands offers a range of services for the creation, operation, marketing, and intelligent growth of franchise systems. We cover FDD and Operations Manual development, brand positioning, marketing strategy, end-to-end franchise sales, franchisee onboarding, training, and unit operations management.