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Preparing to offer franchises in a new state requires an understanding of how that state regulates the sale of franchise opportunities. If you are evaluating the franchise registration process in Georgia, it is important to understand which steps apply and which do not. Our team works with franchisors on registering a franchise and obtaining clarity on federal requirements before entering new markets.
At Franchise Law, our attorneys support franchisors nationwide. While our office is in Charlotte, NC, we operate under multi-jurisdictional practice rules that permit representation in matters governed primarily by federal law, including franchise regulation. Although we do not have a license to practice Georgia law, we guide franchisors through the federal and multi-state considerations that influence their expansion efforts.
Georgia is not a registration state, so franchisors do not submit the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) to a state agency for review during the process of registration. However, franchisors still have important responsibilities under the Federal Trade Commission Amended Franchise Rule (16 Code of Federal Regulations § 436).
Before offering or selling franchises in this state, franchisors must ensure:
These steps help franchisors maintain consistency and transparency throughout the offer process.
Although Georgia does not review the FDD, when registering a franchise, you should still prepare the document with multi-state compliance in mind. This includes giving attention to formatting, accuracy, and clarity of disclosure so that prospective franchisees can understand the system before investing.
Franchisors often prioritize:
In certain situations, state law, including the Georgia Multilevel Distribution and Sale of Business Opportunities Act (Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 10-1-410), makes it important to confirm proper franchise classification.
In Georgia, compliance requirements when registering a franchise extend beyond completing the FDD. The way your team approaches early-stage discussions with prospects can influence whether the offer remains compliant. For example, sales representatives must avoid making unapproved financial performance claims or modifying statements that appear in the FDD.
Developing an internal compliance process can help franchisors train new sales personnel, create standard communication templates, and maintain accurate email records. It can also help implement quality control for discovery day presentations and monitor consistency in multi-unit development discussions.
This internal framework ensures that prospects receive accurate information and avoids compliance problems after disclosure.
Once a prospective franchisee receives the FDD, federal law requires a waiting period before they can sign agreements or collect fees. During that time, franchisors must ensure that all discussions remain consistent with the information disclosed.
Franchisors may also need to provide additional written materials that comply with federal rules and prepare final versions of franchise agreements. They should also review whether any material changes occurred during the waiting period and confirm the timing of signatures and payment schedules.
Following these registration steps helps Georgia franchisors meet federal obligations and maintain a consistent offer process.
Completing the franchise registration process in Georgia requires an understanding of federal disclosure rules and the limited state considerations that apply. We work with franchisors who want to enter new markets confidently and maintain compliance as you expand your systems.
If you are preparing to offer franchises in new states, contact Franchise.Law today for guidance on your next steps.