Owning and running a franchise can seem like a generic business model regardless of which part of the country you’re in, but in fact, there are a few aspects that vary from state to state. Apart from the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), which is a general document providing vital information about franchising in the United States, different states can have their own costs and agreements. For those considering investing in a franchise, read this article we wrote in collaboration with F45 Training about geographical factors to note.

Registration

Some states require the FDD to be registered by franchisors before they can offer franchise investment opportunities. While this is something that doesn’t require the direct action of a franchisee, it does serve to protect them against potentially fraudulent franchisors. The FDD is reviewed by someone representing that state, who can require changes or additions to the document if they deem it necessary. The following states require this extra administration before a franchise can be put up for sale:

  • California
  • Hawaii
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Maryland
    Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • New York
  • North Dakota
  • Rhode Island
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • Wisconsin

Costs

As with many countries around the world, business and living expenses can vary from location to location. With some states being more expensive than others to live and work in due to various factors, franchise operating costs and service or membership costs can vary as well. California and New York, for example, are two of the most expensive states, and with labor and construction being more expensive, are far more costly to run a business in than states like Texas. But all things are relative — in the states where businesses are more costly to get off the ground, owners can generally charge more for their product or service.

Licensing

Business licenses are state-level documents that can be required by government agencies to allow individuals or companies to conduct business within a specific area. Most states require a license to be applied for or proven, but each state has different documents and procedures in order for one to be successfully granted. States can enforce that this document is in place before you purchase and open up a new franchise.

Typically every business requires a license, but there are different permits available for different business types. If you’re going to invest in an F45 Training franchise, you’ll need to apply for a different permit from the one needed if you’re opening up a new restaurant, for example. If you’re new to the licensing process and have yet to apply for one, your franchisor should be able to inform you of the process and how they approach it for your area.

While every state may have different franchising laws and regulations that the franchisor can guide you through, it is always useful to have an understanding of the local business environment that you will be entering before you physically start running your new franchise.