What Is The Definition of a Franchise?

I am often asked by prospective franchise clients what exactly is the definition of a franchise? The issue is an important one, since franchising is a regulated industry. It is regulated on a federal level by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and on a state level by some, but not all, state regulatory agencies. Compliance with existing federal and state regulation makes the business of franchising more complicated, and therefore more expensive to be involved in. The Federal Trade Commission Franchise Rule, 16 CFR 436, defines a franchise as: any continuing commercial relationship or arrangement, whatever it may be called, in which the terms of the offer or contract specify, or the franchise seller promises or represents, orally or in writing, that: (1) The franchisee will obtain the right to operate a business that is identified or associated with the franchisor’s trademark, or to offer, sell, or distribute goods, services, or commodities that are identified or associated with the franchisor’s trademark; (2) The franchisor will exert or has authority to exert a significant degree of control over the franchisee’s method of operation, or provide significant assistance in the franchisee’s method of operation; and (3) As a condition of obtaining or commencing operation of the franchise, the franchisee makes a required payment or commits to make a required payment to the franchisor or its affiliate.” So the three criteria of a franchise, simply stated, are: 1) party A operates a business using the trademark of party B; 2) party B has significant control over how party A operates the business, or party B provides significant assistance to party A in the operation of the business; and 3) party A pays a fee to party B. All three of these conditions must be present in order for the business to be considered a franchise. While the FTC’s definition of a franchise seems straightforward, the complexity surrounding what is a franchise can be found mainly in the second prong of the definition, through the FTC’s use of the terms “significant degree of control” and “significant assistance”. Read the full franchise law blog on MarylandLawBlogger.com