The first thing franchisors want to do when they decide to franchise their business is tell everyone. After all, there have been multiple interested parties approach them already, so why not just tell them all about it?

The franchising industry in the U.S. is heavily regulated by the FTC, the Federal Trade Commission, and their supervision includes your marketing practices. Legal documents, such as your FDD, must be completed and registered (in registration states) before you can sell – or even talk about selling – your business as a franchise. Talk to your legal team and check your maps to be sure; but here are some guidelines to help you stay compliant while marketing your franchise business.