N.D. Cent. Code § 51-19-06

Current through the 2023 Legislative Sessions
Section 51-19-06 - Application for registration

The application for registration of an offer must be filed with the commissioner and must contain the following:

1. The name of the franchisor, the name under which the franchisor is doing or intends to do business, and the name of any parent or affiliated company that will engage in business transactions with franchisees.
2. The franchisor's principal business address and the name and address of its agent in this state authorized to receive service of process.
3. The business form of the franchisor, whether corporate, partnership, limited liability company, or otherwise.
4. Such information concerning the identity and business experience of persons affiliated with the franchisor as the commissioner may by rule prescribe.
5.
a. A statement whether any person identified in the application for registration:
(1) Has been convicted of a felony or pleaded nolo contendere to a felony charge or held liable in a civil action by final judgment if such felony or civil action involved fraud, embezzlement, fraudulent conversion, restraint of trade, unfair or deceptive practices, or misappropriation of property;
(2) Has pending against the person any indictment or information or complaint relating to a felony or is the subject of a civil action involving fraud, embezzlement, fraudulent conversion, restraint of trade, unfair or deceptive practices, or misappropriation of property;
(3) Is subject to any currently effective order of the securities and exchange commission or the securities administrator of any state denying registration to or revoking or suspending the registration of such person as a securities broker or dealer or investment adviser, or is subject to any currently effective order of any national securities association or national securities exchange, as defined in the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, suspending or expelling such person from membership in such association or exchange;
(4) Is subject to any currently effective order or ruling of the federal trade commission; or
(5) Is subject to any currently effective injunctive or restrictive order relating to business activity as a result of an action brought by any public agency or department, including, without limitation, actions affecting a license as a real estate broker or salesman.
b. Such statement must set forth the court, the nature of the matter, the date of conviction or judgment or current status of any pending action or proceeding, and any penalty imposed or damages assessed.
6. The business experience of the franchisor, including the length of time the franchisor has conducted business of the type to be operated by the franchisees, has granted franchises for such business, and has granted franchises in other lines of business.
7. A recent financial statement of the franchisor, together with a statement of any material changes in the financial condition of the franchisor from the date thereof. The commissioner may by rule or order prescribe the form and content of financial statements required under this chapter, the circumstances under which consolidated financial statements must be filed, and the circumstances under which financial statements must be audited by independent certified public accountants or public accountants.
8. A copy of the typical franchise contract or agreement proposed for use or in use in this state, including all amendments thereto.
9. A statement of the franchise fee charged, the proposed application of the proceeds of such fee by the franchisor, and the formula by which the amount of the fee is determined if the fee is not the same in all cases; a statement indicating whether and under what conditions all or part of the initial franchise fee may be returned; and a statement of the estimated total investment to be made for:
a. The initial franchise fee and other fees, whether payable in one sum or in installments;
b. Fixed assets other than real property and leases for real property, whether or not financed by contract or installment purchase, leasing, or otherwise;
c. Working capital, deposits, and prepaid expenses;
d. Real property, whether or not financed by contract or installment purchase or otherwise, and leases for real property; and
e. All other goods and services which the franchisee will be required to purchase or lease.
10. A statement describing any payments or fees other than franchise fees that the franchisee or subfranchisor is required to pay to the franchisor, including royalties and payments or fees which the franchisor collects in whole or in part on behalf of a third party or parties.
11. A statement of the conditions under which the franchise agreement may be terminated or renewal refused or repurchased at the option of the franchisor, of any limitations on the right of the franchisee to sell, transfer, assign, move, renew, or terminate the franchise, and of any provisions regarding franchisee equity upon sale, termination, refusal to renew, or repurchase.
12. A statement as to whether, by the terms of the franchise agreement or other device or practice, the franchisee is limited in the goods or services offered by the franchisee to the franchisee's customers.
13. A statement of any conditions imposed by the franchisor, whether by the terms of the franchise agreement or by other device or practice, whereby the franchisee is required to purchase services, supplies, products, fixtures, or other goods relating to the establishment or operation of the franchise business from the franchisor or the franchisor's designee, together with a statement of whether and of the means by which the franchisor derives income from such purchases.
14. A statement of the terms and conditions of any financing arrangements when offered directly or indirectly by the franchisor or the franchisor's agent or affiliate.
15. A statement of any past or present practice or of any intent of the franchisor to sell, assign, or discount to a third party any note, contract, or other obligation of the franchisee or subfranchisor in whole or in part.
16. A copy of any statement of estimated or projected franchisee earnings prepared for presentation to prospective franchisees or subfranchisors or other persons, together with a statement setting forth the data upon which such estimation or projection is based and explaining clearly the manner and extent to which such data relates to the actual operations of businesses conducted by the franchisor or its franchisees.
17. A statement describing the training program, supervision, and assistance the franchisor has provided and will provide the franchisee.
18. A statement of any compensation or other benefit given or promised to a public figure arising in whole or in part from the use of the public figure in the name or symbol of the franchise or the endorsement or recommendation of the franchise by the public figure in advertisements, and the extent to which such public figure is involved in the actual management of the franchisor.
19. A statement of the number of franchises presently operating and proposed to be sold.
20. A statement of business failures of franchisees, resales to the franchisor, sales of the franchise to others, and transfers in this state during the two-year period preceding the date of the statement.
21. A list of the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of all operating franchise businesses under franchise agreement with the franchisor located in this state.
22. A statement explaining the terms and effects of any covenant not to compete which is or will be included in the franchise or other agreement to be executed by the franchisee.
23. A statement as to whether franchisees or subfranchisors receive an exclusive area or territory, and, if so, a map thereof.
24. Any other information the commissioner may require.
25. Any other information the franchisor may desire to present.
26. When the person filing the application for registration is a subfranchisor, the application must also include the same information concerning the subfranchisor as is required from the franchisor pursuant to this section.

N.D.C.C. § 51-19-06