Instead of risking everything on a good idea, franchise owners can invest in a business idea with a reasonable expectation of profitability and small business success.

The success of franchises has had a lot to do with the way well-respected companies have made franchising a core component of their overall business plan. For example, much of McDonalds success can be attributed to the vision of its founder to incorporate franchises as its primary mode of expansion. For potential franchisees, McDonalds and many other similarly reputable franchisors provide an unprecedented level of security, knowing that they are investing in a franchise opportunity with a partner that can be trusted.

However for every trustworthy franchisor, there are others whose primary purpose is to take advantage of eager entrepreneurs with dreams of getting in on the ground floor of the next Starbucks or Jiffy Lube. These scam artists are quick to promise the world and collect franchise fees, but fail to follow through on their end of the bargain. In the end, the franchisees are left without a functioning franchise and no resources (or enthusiasm) to start over.

To protect enthusiastic franchisees, the government has implemented polices and enacted legislation to provide legal protection from franchise scams. If you are planning to buy a franchise, there are at last two important legal protections you need to be aware of.

• The Federal Trade Commission’s Franchise Rule - Implemented in 1979, this rule requires franchisors to fully disclose all relevant information pertaining to franchise to potential franchisees. The material that is supposed to be provided to potential franchisees includes all information the franchisee needs to reasonably decide whether or not to invest in a franchise. The timeframe for which this information must be provided is at the first personal contact and a minimum of 10 days prior to the signing of a formal franchise contract to make sure that the potential franchisee has time to carefully consider what is required.
• The Uniform Franchise Circular Offering (UFCO) - The disclosure presented to potential franchisees by the franchisor needs to be in the form of a Uniform Franchise Circular Offering. The UFCO must contain detailed information about the franchise as well as the responsibilities and rights of franchisees.

Additionally, franchisors are required to present franchisees with a copy of documents that need to be signed at least (5) days prior to the actual signing. Again, this is done to ensure that potential franchisees have the ability to carefully review and consider the documents before they have made a commitment.

Some states – but not all – require franchises to register with the state. State registration does not offer franchisees protection from rip-offs. All it indicates is that the franchisor has filed paperwork with the proper state agencies.

That being said, the most prudent course of action for any potential franchise owner is to contract the services of an attorney with franchise experience before making any commitments. A little added expense now can save a lot of heartbreak later.

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