Franchise FAQ

is georgia a franchise registration state

by Ms. Jazmin Kautzer Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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Georgia is not a franchise registration state nor a franchise filing state. However, Georgia does have business opportunity laws that sellers of business opportunities must adhere to.

What are the franchise registration States?

The Franchise Registration States are states that, in addition to the Federal Franchise Laws, have issued supplemental franchise laws and require franchisors to register their Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) with a local state regulator before offering or selling a franchise within the state.

What is the difference between filing and franchise registration?

In most instances the filing is simply a notice with the state and unlike the Franchise Registration States, the franchise filing states do not examine and review the FDD.

What does it mean to be an FDD registered franchisee?

FDD registration means that a state examiner reviews an FDD and franchise registration application and grants franchisors the right to offer and sell franchises within the state. The state regulators do not verify the accuracy of the disclosures contained in the FDD but determine if the FDD satisfies state regulatory requirements.

What do I need to register my business in Georgia?

Business Registration Any entity that conducts business within Georgia may be required to register for one or more tax specific identification numbers, permits, and/or licenses. Online registration is available through Georgia Tax Center (GTC), a secure electronic customer self-service portal.

What to do if your trademark is not registered with the USPTO?

What is a business opportunity in Georgia?

Is a trademark required to be registered in Georgia?

Does Georgia have franchise laws?

Is a trademark exempt from Georgia?

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What states are franchise states?

For franchisors with a federally registered trademark, the Franchise Filing States include: Connecticut, Florida, Kentucky, Nebraska, North Carolina, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, and Utah. For franchisors without federally registered trademarks Georgia and Louisiana also require filings.

Who regulates franchises in Georgia?

Who Regulates Franchises in Georgia? Because Georgia has not enacted franchise specific laws Georgia does not have any state specific regulator. However, the Department of Law of the Georgia Consumer Protection Division is charged with overseeing enforcement of Georgia's Business Opportunity Laws.

Which state is not a franchise registration state?

Alaska is not a franchise registration state and does not require FDD registration or filing. Learn More about franchising in Alaska. Arizona is not a franchise registration state and does not require FDD registration or filing.

How many states have franchise laws?

The Federal Franchise Rule is the overarching federal law that governs the offer and sale of franchises throughout the United States, in all fifty states.

Is Florida a franchise state?

Florida is a franchise filing state. The annual Florida franchise filing fee is $100.

What states require FDD?

States That Require FDD Registration or FilingCalifornia.Hawaii.Illinois.Indiana.Maryland.Michigan.Minnesota.New York.More items...

Is Alabama a franchise registration state?

The State of Alabama is not a franchise registration state. This means that to offer or sell franchises in Alabama you do not need to register your Franchise Disclosure Document (“FDD”) with the state.

What are the legal requirements for a franchise?

Generally, the offer and sale of franchises find legal basis in laws such as:The Indian Contract Act, 1872.The Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA).The Competition Act, 2002.The Trademarks Act, 1999.The Copyright Act, 1957.The Patents Act, 1970.The Design Act, 2000.The Income Tax Act, 1961.More items...

What is franchise registration?

Franchise Registration States are those states which require that franchisors register that franchise disclosure document with them before the franchisor can offer or sell franchises in the state.

What are the basic requirements of the Franchise Rule?

The Rule requires franchisors to provide all potential franchisees with a disclosure document containing 23 specific items of information about the offered franchise, its officers, and other franchisees.

Is California a franchise registration state?

Yes. California is a franchise registration state. So, you must register your FDD with the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) prior to offering or selling franchises in California. California charges initial franchise registrants a $675 fee.

Is Ohio a franchise registration state?

Ohio is classified as a non-registration state because it has no laws requiring franchisors to register with the state before offering or selling their franchise. But Ohio does have laws relating to the sale or offering of business opportunities under its Business Opportunity Purchasers Protection Act, Ohio Rev.

Is Arizona a franchise registration state?

Because Arizona is not a franchise registration state, franchisors do not need to separately register their Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) with the state before offering or selling a franchise in the state. Arizona is, however, a business opportunity state.

Is North Carolina a franchise registration state?

North Carolina Franchise Law The State of North Carolina is a franchise filing state. This means that before offering and selling a franchise in the State of North Carolina a franchisor must first ensure that its Franchise Disclosure Document is current and filed with the North Carolina Secretary of State.

Georgia Franchise Law and Registration | Requirements to Register

Classification: Business Opportunity State Registration Fee: $0 Renewal Fee: $0 Registration expiration: n/a. Georgia is classified as a business opportunity state, and its laws relating to business opportunities are found under its Multilevel Distribution and Sale of Business Opportunities statute (the “Business Opportunity Law”), which is codified at Ga. Code §§ 10-1-410 et seq.

GEORGIA FRANCHISE LAW and REGULATIONS - Tuck Duncan Law

georgia franchise law and regulations title 3. alcoholic beverages chapter 4. distilled spirits article 6. designation of sales territories and wholesalers for out-of-

Georgia Franchise Law - NLAmerica. Com

GEORGIA FRANCHISE LAW 13-8-11. Legislative findings The General Assembly finds that the distribution of equipment primarily designed for or used in

Georgia Franchise Law | Vinson Franchise Law Firm

Summary of Georgia laws on franchising by an experienced, specialized franchise law firm.

State Guide: Business Opportunity Disclosure Laws - FindLaw

Twenty-three states have business opportunity laws.Most of these laws prohibit sales of business opportunities unless the seller gives potential purchasers a pre-sale disclosure document that has first been filed with a designated state agency.

Sellers of Business Franchises / Business Services / Home - Florida ...

Sellers of business franchises are no longer required to file registration documents with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS).

Is a franchise a business opportunity in Georgia?

For franchisors without a federally registered trademark or trademark registered in Georgia, the franchise constitutes a “business opportunity” and will likely be disadvantaged. Under the Business Opportunity Law, a seller of a business opportunity is required, among other things, to have an agent in Georgia authorized to receive service; to furnish state-required disclosures in the offer or sale of a business opportunity; and in some instances, to obtain a surety bond in the amount of $75,000. Moreover, franchisors cannot collect the full amount of the purchase price upon execution of the franchise agreement. Rather, a franchisor can initially collect no more than 15% of the purchase price, with the balance being paid into an escrow account established with a bank or attorney, and can collect the remaining 85% percent sixty days following the start of the franchisee’s business.

Is Georgia a business opportunity state?

Georgia is classified as a business opportunity state, and its laws relating to business opportunities are found under its Multilevel Distribution and Sale of Business Opportunities statute (the “Business Opportunity Law”), which is codified at Ga. Code §§ 10-1-410 et seq. A franchise constitutes a “business opportunity” under Ga. Code §10-1-410 (2) (A) (iii), though not stated explicitly, if the total initial payment required is greater than $500. But under that same section, franchises are excluded from the Business Opportunity Law’s requirements if the offering or selling of the franchise is made in conjunction with the licensing of a registered trademark or service mark. Thus, Georgia franchisors are exempted from the Business Opportunity Law if they have either (1) a federally registered trademark or (2) a trademark registered in Georgia.

Does Georgia have franchise disclosure laws?

Franchise Disclosure in Georgia. Georgia has no state franchise disclosure laws. So, there are no special state disclosures required in an FDD used in Georgia.

Is there a business opportunity exemption in Georgia?

There is an exemption under Georgia business opportunity law for the sale of franchises for an initial payment exceeding $500 in which the franchisor represents that it will provide a sales program or marketing program in conjunction with the licensing of a registered trademark or service mark . If the franchise involves a mark that is registered with the U.S Patent and Trademark Office or with Georgia, then this exemption is automatically effective and does not require any filing. Georgia Code Section 10-1-410 (2).

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What are sales and use taxes?

Sales and Use Tax 1 a state hotel-motel fee account if the dealer is an innkeeper who must charge the state hotel-motel fee pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 48-13-50.3; 2 a fireworks excise tax account if the dealer is a seller of consumer fireworks as described in O.C.G.A. § 48-13-130; 3 a prepaid wireless 911 charge account if the dealer is a retail seller of prepaid wireless as described in O.C.G.A. § 46-5-134.2; or 4 a non-prepaid 911 charge account if the dealer is a telephone service supplier as described in O.C.G.A. § 38-3-181.

What is business registration in Georgia?

Any entity that conducts business within Georgia may be required to register for one or more tax specific identification numbers, permits, and/or licenses. Online registration is available through Georgia Tax Center (GTC), a secure electronic customer self-service portal. After your online submission, you should receive your ...

What is IFTA registration?

An IFTA registration is required for any motor carrier domiciled in Georgia who will operate on an Interstate basis and meets the following qualified definitions: Vehicles used, designed, or maintained for transportation of persons or property. Having two axles and a gross vehicle weight or registered gross weight exceeding 26,000 pounds.

What is required to sell alcohol?

Any business that sells alcohol (beer, wine, liquor) for retail or wholesale is required to obtain an alcohol license. This license applies to bulk sales or consumption on the premises. This registration requires an initial investigation and annual renewal. This registration also requires a bond and local license. Read more information about Alcohol Licenses .

What does "consumes or uses in this State" mean?

Consumes or uses in this State any motor fuel imported into this State before the motor fuel has been received by any other person in this State

What is an amusement machine?

Amusement machines are defined as machines of any kind or character used by the public to provide amusement or entertainment whose operation requires payment or insertion of a coin, bill, or other money, token, ticket, or in part, upon the skill of the player, whether or not it affords an award to a successful player.

What is the weight of a vehicle with two axles?

Having two axles and a gross vehicle weight or registered gross weight exceeding 26,000 pounds. Having three or more axles regardless of weight. Is used in combination, when the weight of such combination exceeds 26,000 pounds gross vehicle, or registered gross vehicle weight.

What to do if your trademark is not registered with the USPTO?

If your trademarks are not registered with the USPTO you must review Georgia’s business opportunity disclosure requirement to ensure that you FDD covers all of the disclosure requirements under Georgia law. To learn more about Georgia franchise law and how we can help, give us a call at (718) 979-8688 or contact us.

What is a business opportunity in Georgia?

Georgia Code Section 10-1-410 (2) broadly defines a business opportunity and included in the definition of a business opportunity are business transactions that “enable the purchaser to start a business,” the payment ...

Is a trademark required to be registered in Georgia?

From a franchising and franchise law perspective, if your principal trademarks are registered with the USPTO you will most likely be exempt from Georgia’s business opportunity laws and no franchise registration or filing is required.

Does Georgia have franchise laws?

Georgia has not enacted franchise specific laws and there are no Georgia state specific FDD registration or filing requirements. Franchisors are not required to register or file an FDD in the State of Georgia.

Is a trademark exempt from Georgia?

Franchisors that maintain federal USPTO registration of their trademarks are exempt from Georgia’s definition of a business opportunity. Franchisors that do not maintain federal trademark registration may fall within Georgia’s business opportunity definition and should be careful to ensure that their FDD contains all of ...

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