Franchises - DFPI
Source: https://dfpi.ca.gov/regulated-industries/franchises
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:21
Franchises - DFPI
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Franchises
The Franchise Investment Law governs the offer and sale of franchises in California. Through registration and oversight under the law, the DFPI supports a healthy and trusted financial marketplace.
Search Franchises
Access FRANSES
What’s New in 2025?
AB 137 which increases certain franchise filing fees.
What’s New in 2024?
AB 1228 which creates new standards for National Fast-Food Chain Restaurants.
What’s New in 2023?
AB 676, which makes various changes to the Franchise Investment Law and the California Franchise Relations Act, and creates new requirements and prohibitions for franchise agreements.
Laws & Regulations
About the California Franchise Investment Law
Commissioner of the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation’s Regulations
. Subchapter 2.6 (commencing with Section 310.002) of Chapter 3 of Title 10, California Code of Regulations)
California Franchise Relations Act
FTC Franchise Rule
. See Federal Trade Commission Rule 436 (FTC Rule 436)(16 CFR Part 436)
Regulations, Legislation, Opinions, and Commissioner’s Releases
FRANSES Training Materials
FRANSES User Guide
FRANSES Tutorials
Registration FAQs, Instructions, and Guidance
Registration Frequently Asked Questions
How to File a Complete Franchise Application
Top 10 Filing Deficiencies That Result in Incomplete Applications (PDF)
California Guidelines for Franchise Registrations (PDF)
FTC Franchise Rule Compliance Guide (PDF)
NASAA Franchise Disclosure Handbook (PDF)
Marsh & Volk’s “Practice Under the California Securities Laws” published by
Mathew Bender & Company, Inc.,
one of the
LEXIS Publishing
companies.
Text of the Franchise Investment Law
Registration requirements under the Franchise Investment Law
Text of the Regulations and Releases of the Commissioner
Digests of opinions of the DFPI under the Franchise Investment Law
Forms
To view the files you MUST have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your system.
View the download instructions for viewing PDF files
.
Form Number
Form Title
Format
310.156.3
Notice of Exemption for Internet Advertisementopens in a new window
- Effective July 10, 2003, the Department adopted Section 310.156.3 of Title 10, California Code of Regulations (
Document No. PRO 09/02
) to exempt internet advertisements from the filing requirements of Corporations Code Section 31156, subject to certain conditions. Among other things, persons claiming the exemption must file a written verified notice, as specified. Although Section 310.156.3 sets forth the content and verification requirement of the written notices, the rule does not specify a particular heading (“red flag”) to help staff identify and process them. Accordingly, the following sample heading (in large bold type) may be inserted at the top of the written notice filed with the Department to assist staff in identifying the claim of exemption –
NOTICE OF EXEMPTION FOR INTERNET ADVERTISEMENT SECTION 310.156.3 OF TITLE 10, CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS
.
PDF
DFPI-310.100.2
Notice of Negotiated Sale of Franchise under Section 310.100.2
PDF
DFPI-310.100.4
Negotiated Sales Exempt Under 31109.1 of the Corporations Codes – Summary Description
PDF
DFPI-310.101
Notice of Exemption under Corporations Code Sections 31101, 31104, 31108 or 31109
PDF
DFPI-310.106
Notice of a Transaction Exempt under Corporations Code Section 31106
PDF
DFPI-310.111
Guidelines for Franchise Registration (UFDD)
PDF
DFPI 310.111 Certification
PDF
DFPI 310.111 Corporate Acknowledgment
PDF
DFPI 310.111 Customer Authorization
PDF
DFPI 310.111 Facing Page Uniform Franchise Registration Application
PDF
DFPI 310.111 Guarantee of Performance
PDF
DFPI 310.111 Sales Agent Disclosure Form
PDF
DFPI 310.111 Sample Surety Bond
PDF
DFPI 310.111 Supplemental Information
PDF
DFPI 310.111 Uniform Consent to Service of Process
PDF
DFPI-310.122
Uniform Franchise Registration Renewal Statement
PDF
NASAA Forms
Form Title
Format
Consent of Accountant
PDF
Facing Page with Certification
PDF
Franchise Seller Disclosure Form
PDF
Franchisor’s Costs and Source of Funds
PDF
Guarantee of Performance
PDF
Receipt Page
PDF
State Cover Page and State Effective Dates
PDF
Uniform Franchise Consent to Service of Process
PDF
Resources
DFPI Publications
Information about buying a janitorial services franchise – English
Franquicia de Servicios de Limpieza – Spanish/Español
Buying a Janitorial Services Franchise brochure (PDF)
Look Before You Leap – A Guide to Buying a Franchise – English (PDF)
Mira Antes de Saltar – Una guía para comprar una franquicia – Spanish/Español (PDF)
Franchisee Resources from Industry
Making the Franchise Decision Workbook (PDF)
This workbook is a tool for franchisees to use in investigating and comparing franchise opportunities.
Resources for Franchise Buyers
American Association of Franchisees & Dealers (AAFD) provides several links to resources for franchise buyers
*The fact that a resource is included on the Department’s website does not constitute approval, recommendation, or endorsement by the commissioner.
News & Info Links
Newsroom
Press Releases
Monthly Bulletins
Important Notices
How to reach us:
Department of Financial Protection and Innovation
Sacramento
651 Bannon Street, Suite 300
Sacramento, CA 95811
San Francisco
One Sansome Street, Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94104-4428
Los Angeles
320 West 4th Street, Suite 750
Los Angeles, CA 90013-2344
Phone
: (866)-275-2677
Email
:
[email protected]
Updated:
April 22, 2026
Skip to Main Content
Franchises
The Franchise Investment Law governs the offer and sale of franchises in California. Through registration and oversight under the law, the DFPI supports a healthy and trusted financial marketplace.
Search Franchises
Access FRANSES
What’s New in 2025?
AB 137 which increases certain franchise filing fees.
What’s New in 2024?
AB 1228 which creates new standards for National Fast-Food Chain Restaurants.
What’s New in 2023?
AB 676, which makes various changes to the Franchise Investment Law and the California Franchise Relations Act, and creates new requirements and prohibitions for franchise agreements.
Laws & Regulations
About the California Franchise Investment Law
Commissioner of the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation’s Regulations
. Subchapter 2.6 (commencing with Section 310.002) of Chapter 3 of Title 10, California Code of Regulations)
California Franchise Relations Act
FTC Franchise Rule
. See Federal Trade Commission Rule 436 (FTC Rule 436)(16 CFR Part 436)
Regulations, Legislation, Opinions, and Commissioner’s Releases
FRANSES Training Materials
FRANSES User Guide
FRANSES Tutorials
Registration FAQs, Instructions, and Guidance
Registration Frequently Asked Questions
How to File a Complete Franchise Application
Top 10 Filing Deficiencies That Result in Incomplete Applications (PDF)
California Guidelines for Franchise Registrations (PDF)
FTC Franchise Rule Compliance Guide (PDF)
NASAA Franchise Disclosure Handbook (PDF)
Marsh & Volk’s “Practice Under the California Securities Laws” published by
Mathew Bender & Company, Inc.,
one of the
LEXIS Publishing
companies.
Text of the Franchise Investment Law
Registration requirements under the Franchise Investment Law
Text of the Regulations and Releases of the Commissioner
Digests of opinions of the DFPI under the Franchise Investment Law
Forms
To view the files you MUST have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your system.
View the download instructions for viewing PDF files
.
Form Number
Form Title
Format
310.156.3
Notice of Exemption for Internet Advertisementopens in a new window
- Effective July 10, 2003, the Department adopted Section 310.156.3 of Title 10, California Code of Regulations (
Document No. PRO 09/02
) to exempt internet advertisements from the filing requirements of Corporations Code Section 31156, subject to certain conditions. Among other things, persons claiming the exemption must file a written verified notice, as specified. Although Section 310.156.3 sets forth the content and verification requirement of the written notices, the rule does not specify a particular heading (“red flag”) to help staff identify and process them. Accordingly, the following sample heading (in large bold type) may be inserted at the top of the written notice filed with the Department to assist staff in identifying the claim of exemption –
NOTICE OF EXEMPTION FOR INTERNET ADVERTISEMENT SECTION 310.156.3 OF TITLE 10, CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS
.
DFPI-310.100.2
Notice of Negotiated Sale of Franchise under Section 310.100.2
DFPI-310.100.4
Negotiated Sales Exempt Under 31109.1 of the Corporations Codes – Summary Description
DFPI-310.101
Notice of Exemption under Corporations Code Sections 31101, 31104, 31108 or 31109
DFPI-310.106
Notice of a Transaction Exempt under Corporations Code Section 31106
DFPI-310.111
Guidelines for Franchise Registration (UFDD)
DFPI 310.111 Certification
DFPI 310.111 Corporate Acknowledgment
DFPI 310.111 Customer Authorization
DFPI 310.111 Facing Page Uniform Franchise Registration Application
DFPI 310.111 Guarantee of Performance
DFPI 310.111 Sales Agent Disclosure Form
DFPI 310.111 Sample Surety Bond
DFPI 310.111 Supplemental Information
DFPI 310.111 Uniform Consent to Service of Process
DFPI-310.122
Uniform Franchise Registration Renewal Statement
NASAA Forms
Form Title
Format
Consent of Accountant
Facing Page with Certification
Franchise Seller Disclosure Form
Franchisor’s Costs and Source of Funds
Guarantee of Performance
Receipt Page
State Cover Page and State Effective Dates
Uniform Franchise Consent to Service of Process
Resources
DFPI Publications
Information about buying a janitorial services franchise – English
Franquicia de Servicios de Limpieza – Spanish/Español
Buying a Janitorial Services Franchise brochure (PDF)
Look Before You Leap – A Guide to Buying a Franchise – English (PDF)
Mira Antes de Saltar – Una guía para comprar una franquicia – Spanish/Español (PDF)
Franchisee Resources from Industry
Making the Franchise Decision Workbook (PDF)
This workbook is a tool for franchisees to use in investigating and comparing franchise opportunities.
Resources for Franchise Buyers
American Association of Franchisees & Dealers (AAFD) provides several links to resources for franchise buyers
*The fact that a resource is included on the Department’s website does not constitute approval, recommendation, or endorsement by the commissioner.
News & Info Links
Newsroom
Press Releases
Monthly Bulletins
Important Notices
How to reach us:
Department of Financial Protection and Innovation
Sacramento
651 Bannon Street, Suite 300
Sacramento, CA 95811
San Francisco
One Sansome Street, Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94104-4428
Los Angeles
320 West 4th Street, Suite 750
Los Angeles, CA 90013-2344
Phone
: (866)-275-2677
:
[email protected]
Updated:
April 22, 2026