There shall be exempted from the provisions of Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 31110) of this part the offer and sale of a franchise if the franchisor complies with each of the following minimum net worth, experience, disclosure, and notice filing requirements:

(a) Net worth. The franchisor and, when necessary, a corporation owning at least 80 percent of the franchisor (parent) meet one of the following net worth requirements, according to financial statements for the fiscal year just ended. The franchisor and the parent, when necessary, may rely upon the immediately preceding fiscal year’s audited financial statement for 15 months from that fiscal year end date.

(1) The franchisor has a net worth on a consolidated basis of not less than five million dollars ($5,000,000), according to its audited financial statement.

(2) The franchisor has a net worth of not less than one million dollars ($1,000,000) and its parent has a net worth of five million dollars ($5,000,000), according to the audited financial statements of the franchisor and its parent, respectively.

(3) The franchisor has a net worth of one million dollars ($1,000,000), according to its unaudited financial statement, and the parent has a net worth on a consolidated basis of not less than five million dollars ($5,000,000), according to its audited financial statement, and the parent absolutely and unconditionally guarantees to assume the duties and obligations of the franchisor under the franchise agreement should the franchisor become unable to perform its duties and obligations.

(b) Experience. The franchisor or a corporation owning at least 80 percent of the franchisor (parent) complies with one or more of the following conditions throughout the five-year period immediately preceding the offer and sale of the franchise, or complies with one of the following conditions during part of the period and one or more of the following conditions during the balance of the period:

(1) The franchisor has had at least 25 franchisees conducting business which is the subject of the franchise.

(2) The franchisor has conducted business which is the subject of the franchise.

(3) The parent has had at least 25 franchisees conducting business which is the subject of the franchise.

(4) The parent has conducted business which is the subject of the franchise.

(c) Disclosure. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the franchisor discloses in writing to each prospective franchisee, at least 14 days prior to the execution by the prospective franchisee of any binding franchise or other agreement, or at least 14 days prior to the receipt of any consideration, the following information:

(A) 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.

(B) The franchisor’s principal business address and the name and address of its agent in the State of California authorized to receive service of process.

(C) The business form of the franchisor, whether corporate, partnership, or otherwise.

(D) The business experience of the franchisor, including the length of time the franchisor (i) has conducted a business of the type to be operated by the franchisees, (ii) has granted franchises for such business, and (iii) has granted franchises in other lines of business.

(E) A copy of the typical franchise contract or agreement proposed for use or in use in this state.

(F) 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.

(G) 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.

(H) A statement of the conditions under which the franchise agreement may be terminated or renewal refused, or repurchased at the option of the franchisor.

(I) A statement as to whether, by the terms of the franchise agreement or by other device or practice, the franchisee or subfranchisor is required to purchase from the franchisor or his or her designee services, supplies, products, fixtures, or other goods relating to the establishment or operation of the franchise business, together with a description thereof.

(J) 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 him or her to his or her customers.

(K) A statement of the terms and conditions of any financing arrangements when offered directly or indirectly by the franchisor or his or her agent or affiliate.

(L) 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.

(M) If any statement of estimated or projected franchisee earnings is used, a statement of such estimation or projection and the data upon which it is based.

(N) A statement as to whether franchisees or subfranchisors receive an exclusive area or territory.

(O) A copy of the financial statement or statements required by subdivision (a).

(P) A copy of the unconditional guaranty, if applicable, required by paragraph (3) of subdivision (a).

(2) In the case of a material modification of an existing franchise, the franchisor discloses in writing to each franchisee information concerning the specific sections of the franchise agreement proposed to be modified and such additional information as may be required by rule or order of the commissioner. Any agreement by such franchisee to such material modifications shall not be binding upon the franchisee if the franchisee, within 14 days after the receipt of such writing identifying the material modification, notifies the franchisor in writing that the agreement to such modification is rescinded. A writing identifying the material modification is received when delivered to the franchisee. A written notice by the franchisee rescinding an agreement to a material modification is effective when delivered to the franchisor or when deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, and addressed to the franchisor in accordance with any notice provisions in the franchise agreement, or when delivered or mailed to the person designated in the franchise agreement for the receipt of notices on behalf of the franchisor.

(d) Notice filing. The franchisor has filed with the commissioner a notice of exemption and paid the fee required by subdivision (f) of Section 31500 prior to an offer or sale of a franchise in this state during any calendar year in which one or more franchises are sold, excluding any material modification.

(Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 334, Sec. 1. (SB 537) Effective January 1, 2014.)