At the state level there are various franchise registration and disclosure requirements for franchisors. A franchisor’s franchise registration, filing, and disclosure requirements vary state by state, with the most tedious requirements typically associated with the registration states. You can click on each state in the map below to learn about that state’s requirements and find important links related to the state’s franchise laws.
Non Registration
State
Registration
State
Annual Filing
State
One Time
Exemption
Business
Opportunity
Alabama is a non-registration state which does not require any type of franchise filing or registration in order for a franchisor to offer or sell franchises in Alabama. However, a franchisor must have a current FDD in order to offer or sell franchises in Alabama.
Alaska is a non-registration state which does not require any type of franchise filing or registration in order for a franchisor to offer or sell franchises in Alaska. However, a franchisor must have a current FDD in order to offer or sell franchises in Alaska.
Arizona is a non-registration state which does not require any type of franchise filing or registration in order for a franchisor to offer or sell franchises in Arizona. However, a franchisor must have a current FDD in order to offer or sell franchises in Arizona.
Arkansas is a non-registration state which does not require any type of franchise filing or registration in order for a franchisor to offer or sell franchises in Arkansas. However, a franchisor must have a current FDD in order to offer or sell franchises in Arkansas.
California is a franchise registration state which requires the filing of the FDD with the state of California for Franchise Regulator review and, commonly, the issuance of a comment letter containing edits that the Franchise Regulator would like to the FDD. The initial filing fee is $675 and must be accompanied by the following documents:
The renewal filing fee is $450. More information on California franchise laws can be found here: California Franchise Registration Laws
Colorado is a non-registration state which does not require any type of franchise filing or registration in order for a franchisor to offer or sell franchises in Colorado. However, a franchisor must have a current FDD in order to offer or sell franchises in Colorado.
Connecticut is a one-time exemption filing state, whereby a franchisor with a federal trademark registration can make a one-time filing, with no filing fee, and then on a current FDD, forevermore offer and sell franchises in Connecticut. Or, if a franchisor does not have a federal trademark registration, then a franchisor must obtain approval on a business opportunity filing in order to offer and sell franchises in Connecticut. The filing fee for a Connecticut business opportunity filing is $400. More information on Connecticut business opportunity filings and laws can be found at Connecticut Gen. Statutes 36b-60 et seq. and here: Connecticut Business Opportunity Laws
Delaware is a non-registration state which does not require any type of franchise filing or registration in order for a franchisor to offer or sell franchises in Delaware. However, a franchisor must have a current FDD in order to offer or sell franchises in Delaware.
The District of Columbia is treated like a non-registration state which does not require any type of franchise filing or registration in order for a franchisor to offer or sell franchises in Washington, D.C. However, a franchisor must have a current FDD in order to offer or sell franchises in Washington, D.C.
Florida is an annual franchise filing state, whereby a franchisor must make an annual franchise exemption filing each year, with a $100 filing fee, and then on a current FDD, can offer and sell franchises in Florida. More information on the Florida business opportunity exemption filing can be found at Florida Statute 559.801 et seq. and here: Florida Business Opportunity Exemption for Franchisors
Georgia is a business opportunity state, however, either a federal or a state trademark registration will allow a franchisor to avoid making a filing under the Georgia business opportunity laws and complying with the requirements of those laws. More information on the Georgia business opportunity laws, and the Consent to Service of Process that a franchisor must file under those laws, can be found at Georgia Code Annotated 10-1-410 et seq. and here: Georgia Business Opportunity Laws
Hawaii is a franchise registration state which requires the filing of the FDD with the state of California for Franchise Regulator review and, sometimes, the issuance of a comment letter containing edits that the Franchise Regulator would like to the FDD. The initial filing fee is $250 and must be accompanied by the following documents: *Uniform Franchise Registration Application with Certification *Uniform Franchise Consent to Service of Process
The renewal filing fee is $250.
More information on Hawaii franchise laws can be found here: Hawaii Franchise Registration Laws
Idaho is a non-registration state which does not require any type of franchise filing or registration in order for a franchisor to offer or sell franchises in Idaho. However, a franchisor must have a current FDD in order to offer or sell franchises in Idaho.
Illinois is a franchise registration state which requires the filing of the FDD with the state of Illinois for Franchise Regulator review and, commonly, the issuance of a comment letter containing edits that the Franchise Regulator would like to the FDD. The initial filing fee is $500 and must be accompanied by the following documents:
The renewal filing fee is $100.
More information on Illinois franchise laws can be found here: Illinois Franchise Registration Laws
Indiana is a franchise registration state which requires the filing of the FDD with the state of Indiana. However, Indiana functions more like an annual filing state in that Indiana does not normally review the FDD or issue comment letters containing edits that the Franchise Regulator would like to the FDD.
The initial filing fee is $500 (plus a convenience fee for use of a credit card with online filing) and must be accompanied by the following documents:
The renewal filing fee is $250 (plus a convenience fee for use of a credit card with online filing).
Indiana has an “isolated sales exemption” to their franchise registration laws found at Ind. Code 23-2-2.5-3 which allows a franchisor to sell one franchise every 24 months without registering with the state of Indiana.
More information on Indiana franchise laws can be found here: Indiana Franchise Registration Laws
Iowa is a non-registration state which does not require any type of franchise filing or registration in order for a franchisor to offer or sell franchises in Iowa. However, a franchisor must have a current FDD in order to offer or sell franchises in Iowa.
Kansas is a non-registration state which does not require any type of franchise filing or registration in order for a franchisor to offer or sell franchises in Kansas. However, a franchisor must have a current FDD in order to offer or sell franchises in Kansas.
Kentucky is a one-time exemption filing state, whereby a franchisor can make a one-time filing of its FDD, with no filing fee, and then on a current FDD, forevermore offer and sell franchises in Kentucky. More information on the Kentucky business opportunity exemption filing can be found at Kentucky Revised Statutes 367.801 et seq. and here: Kentucky One-Time Kentucky Business Opportunity Laws
Louisiana is a business opportunity state, however, either a federal or a state trademark registration will allow a franchisor to avoid making a filing under the Louisiana business opportunity laws and complying with the requirements of those laws. More information on the Louisiana business opportunity laws can be found at Louisiana Revised Statutes 51:1821 et seq. and here: Louisiana Business Opportunity Laws
Maine is a business opportunity state, however, a federal trademark registration will allow a franchisor to avoid making a filing under the Maine business opportunity laws and complying with the requirements of those laws. More information on the Maine business opportunity laws can be found at 32 Maine Revised Statutes 4691 et seq. and here: Maine Business Opportunity Laws
Maryland is a franchise registration state which requires the filing of the FDD with the state of Maryland for Franchise Regulator review and, commonly, the issuance of a comment letter containing edits that the Franchise Regulator would like to the FDD.
The initial filing fee is $500 and must be accompanied by the following documents:
The renewal filing fee is $250.
More information on Maryland franchise laws can be found here: Maryland Franchise Registration Laws
Massachusetts is a non-registration state which does not require any type of franchise filing or registration in order for a franchisor to offer or sell franchises in Massachusetts However, a franchisor must have a current FDD in order to offer or sell franchises in Massachusetts.
Michigan is an annual franchise filing state, whereby a franchisor must make an annual franchise exemption filing each year, with a $250 filing fee, and then on a current FDD, can offer and sell franchises in Michigan. More information on the Michigan franchise laws can be found at Michigan Code 445.1501 et seq. and here: Michigan Franchise Filing Laws
Minnesota is a franchise registration state which requires the filing of the FDD with the state of Minnesota for Franchise Regulator review and, commonly, the issuance of a comment letter containing edits that the Franchise Regulator would like to the FDD.
The initial filing fee is $400 and must be accompanied by the following documents:
The renewal filing fee is $300.
More information on Minnesota franchise laws can be found here: Minnesota Franchise Registration Laws
Mississippi is a non-registration state which does not require any type of franchise filing or registration in order for a franchisor to offer or sell franchises in Mississippi. However, a franchisor must have a current FDD in order to offer or sell franchises in Mississippi.
Missouri is a non-registration state which does not require any type of franchise filing or registration in order for a franchisor to offer or sell franchises in Missouri. However, a franchisor must have a current FDD in order to offer or sell franchises in Missouri.
Montana is a non-registration state which does not require any type of franchise filing or registration in order for a franchisor to offer or sell franchises in Montana. However, a franchisor must have a current FDD in order to offer or sell franchises in Montana.
Nebraska is a one-time exemption filing state, whereby a franchisor can make a one-time filing, with a $100 filing fee, and then on a current FDD, forevermore offer and sell franchises in Nebraska. More information on the Nebraska business opportunity exemption filing can be found at Nebraska Revised Statutes 59-1701 et seq. and here: Nebraska Business Opportunity Laws
Nevada is a non-registration state which does not require any type of franchise filing or registration in order for a franchisor to offer or sell franchises in Nevada. However, a franchisor must have a current FDD in order to offer or sell franchises in Nevada.
New Hampshire is a non-registration state which does not require any type of franchise filing or registration in order for a franchisor to offer or sell franchises in New Hampshire. However, a franchisor must have a current FDD in order to offer or sell franchises in New Hampshire.
New Jersey is a non-registration state which does not require any type of franchise filing or registration in order for a franchisor to offer or sell franchises in New Jersey. However, a franchisor must have a current FDD in order to offer or sell franchises in New Jersey.
New Mexico is a non-registration state which does not require any type of franchise filing or registration in order for a franchisor to offer or sell franchises in New Mexico. However, a franchisor must have a current FDD in order to offer or sell franchises in New Mexico.
New York is a franchise registration state which requires the filing of the FDD with the state of New York for Franchise Regulator review and, commonly, the issuance of a comment letter containing edits that the Franchise Regulator would like to the FDD.
The initial filing fee is $750 and must be accompanied by the following documents:
The renewal filing fee is $150.
More information on New York franchise laws can be found here: New York Franchise Registration Laws
North Carolina is a business opportunity state, however, a federal trademark registration will allow a franchisor to avoid making a filing under the North Carolina business opportunity laws and complying with the requirements of those laws. More information on the North Carolina business opportunity laws can be found at N.C. Gen. Stat. 66-94 et seq. and here: North Carolina Business Opportunity Laws
North Dakota is a franchise registration state which requires the filing of the FDD with the state of North Dakota for Franchise Regulator review and, sometimes, the issuance of a comment letter containing edits that the Franchise Regulator would like to the FDD.
The initial filing fee is $250 and must be accompanied by the following documents:
The renewal filing fee is $100.
More information on North Dakota franchise laws can be found here: North Dakota Franchise Registration Laws
Ohio is a non-registration state which does not require any type of franchise filing or registration in order for a franchisor to offer or sell franchises in Ohio. However, a franchisor must have a current FDD in order to offer or sell franchises in Ohio.
Oklahoma is a non-registration state which does not require any type of franchise filing or registration in order for a franchisor to offer or sell franchises in Oklahoma. However, a franchisor must have a current FDD in order to offer or sell franchises in Oklahoma.
Oregon is a non-registration state which does not require any type of franchise filing or registration in order for a franchisor to offer or sell franchises in Oregon. However, a franchisor must have a current FDD in order to offer or sell franchises in Oregon.
Pennsylvania is a non-registration state which does not require any type of franchise filing or registration in order for a franchisor to offer or sell franchises in Pennsylvania. However, a franchisor must have a current FDD in order to offer or sell franchises in Pennsylvania.
Rhode Island is a franchise registration state which requires the filing of the FDD with the state of Rhode Island for Franchise Regulator review and, sometimes, the issuance of a comment letter containing edits that the Franchise Regulator would like to the FDD.
The initial filing fee is $600 and must be accompanied by the following documents:
The renewal filing fee is $300.
More information on Rhode Island franchise laws can be found here: Rhode Island Franchise Registration Laws
South Carolina is a business opportunity state, however, either a federal or a state trademark registration will allow a franchisor to avoid making a filing under the South Carolina business opportunity laws and complying with the requirements of those laws. More information on the South Carolina business opportunity laws can be found at S.C. Code 39-57-10 et seq. and here: South Carolina Business Opportunity Laws
South Dakota is a franchise registration state which requires the filing of the FDD with the state of South Dakota. However, South Dakota functions more like an annual filing state in that South Dakota does not normally review the FDD or issue comment letters containing edits that the Franchise Regulator would like to the FDD.
The initial filing fee is $250 and must be accompanied by the following documents:
The renewal filing fee is $150.
More information on South Dakota franchise laws can be found here: South Dakota Franchise Registration Laws
Tennessee is a non-registration state which does not require any type of franchise filing or registration in order for a franchisor to offer or sell franchises in Tennessee. However, a franchisor must have a current FDD in order to offer or sell franchises in Tennessee.
Texas is a one-time exemption filing state, whereby a franchisor can make a one-time filing, with a $25 filing fee, and then on a current FDD, forevermore offer and sell franchises in Texas. More information on the Texas business opportunity exemption filing can be found at Texas Bus. & Com. Code 51.001 et seq. and here: Texas Business Opportunity Laws
Utah is an annual franchise filing state, whereby a franchisor must make an annual franchise exemption filing each year, with a $100 filing fee, and then on a current FDD, can offer and sell franchises in Utah. More information on the Utah business opportunity exemption filing can be found at Utah Code Ann. 13-15-1 et seq., the Utah Admin. Code R152-15-2, and here: Utah Business Opportunity Laws
Vermont is a non-registration state which does not require any type of franchise filing or registration in order for a franchisor to offer or sell franchises in Vermont. However, a franchisor must have a current FDD in order to offer or sell franchises in Vermont.
Virginia is a franchise registration state which requires the filing of the FDD with the state of Virginia for Franchise Regulator review and, commonly, the issuance of a comment letter containing edits that the Franchise Regulator would like to the FDD.
The initial filing fee is $500 and must be accompanied by the following documents:
The renewal filing fee is $250.
More information on Virginia franchise laws can be found here: Virginia Franchise Registration Laws
Washington State is a franchise registration state which requires the filing of the FDD with the state of Washington for Franchise Regulator review and, commonly, the issuance of a comment letter containing edits that the Franchise Regulator would like to the FDD.
The initial filing fee is $600 and must be accompanied by the following documents:
The renewal filing fee is $100.
More information on Washington State franchise laws can be found here: Washington Franchise Registration Laws
West Virginia is a non-registration state which does not require any type of franchise filing or registration in order for a franchisor to offer or sell franchises in West Virginia. However, a franchisor must have a current FDD in order to offer or sell franchises in West Virginia.
Wisconsin is a franchise registration state which requires the filing of the FDD with the state of Wisconsin. However, Wisconsin functions more like an annual filing state in that Wisconsin does not normally review the FDD or issue comment letters containing edits that the Franchise Regulator would like to the FDD.
The initial filing fee is $400 and must be filed online with a clean copy of the Franchise Disclosure Document
The renewal filing fee is $400.
More information on Wisconsin franchise laws can be found here: Wisconsin Franchise Registration Laws
Wyoming is a non-registration state which does not require any type of franchise filing or registration in order for a franchisor to offer or sell franchises in Wyoming. However, a franchisor must have a current FDD in order to offer or sell franchises in Wyoming.
With our experience in franchise and trademark law, we are well-versed in handling your company’s legal needs, allowing you to concentrate on growing your business.
