What Are The Franchise Laws in Maine?
In Maine, franchise oversight is primarily managed through its business opportunity laws, as the state does not have a separate franchise-specific registration or disclosure system.
With that in mind, all franchisors wishing to offer franchises in Maine must adhere to the Federal Franchise Rule, which obligates them to provide a comprehensive Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) to any prospective franchisee. Maine imposes no additional disclosure requirements beyond this federal mandate, making compliance with the federal standard sufficient.
The state’s Regulation of the Sale of Business Opportunities Act can apply to franchise sales. A franchise is generally classified as a business opportunity if the initial fee is more than $250 and the franchisor supplies a marketing program.
However, a crucial exemption is provided for franchisors that license a federally registered trademark, which exempts the vast majority of franchise systems from the act’s registration requirements. Those not covered by this exemption must register with the Maine Office of Securities and may need to secure a surety bond.
For the ongoing relationship between franchisor and franchisee, the franchise agreement is the most critical document for most businesses. So, if you’re going to own a franchise business in Maine, make sure you find experienced Maine Franchise Attorneys.
Maine does not have a broad franchise relationship law that governs termination, renewal, or transfer rights for all franchises.
However, specific protections do exist for certain industries, such as dealers of power equipment, machinery, and recreational vehicles. In these sectors, state law offers protection from termination without good cause and mandates that franchisors provide adequate notice before ending or choosing not to renew an agreement.
Here’s a list of franchise lawyers you can hire in Maine
Timothy J. Bryant / Preti, Flaherty, Beliveau & Pachios, Chartered, LLP
One City Center
Portland, Maine
Ryan F. Kelley
Merrill’s Wharf, 254 Commercial Street
Portland, Maine
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