Introduction Here is a sample cover page of a franchise disclosure document. Franchise Disclosure Document Belmont Mufflers, Inc. A Minnesota Corporation 111 First Street Jackson, Minnesota 55000 …
READ MORE →Sample Item 19-1: Financial Performance Representation (Based on Actual Historical Performance Results) ITEM 19: FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE REPRESENTATION The FTC’s Franchise Rule permits a franchisor to …
READ MORE →Sample Item 21-1: Financial Statements ITEM 21: FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Attached to this disclosure document as Exhibit J are our audited, fiscal year end financials for 2005, 2006, and 2007. Attached to …
READ MORE →ITEM 13: TRADEMARKS We grant you the right to operate a shop under the name “Belmont Muffler Shop.” You may also use our other current or future trademarks to operate your shop. By “trademark,” we …
READ MORE →Table No. 1 – Systemwide Outlet Summary Table No. 1 of Item 20 presents the total number of all outlets nationwide – both company owned and franchised – operating at the beginning and at the end of …
READ MORE →The “Required Payment” Element The last of the three definitional elements of a franchise covered by the amended Rule is that purchasers of the business arrangement must be required to pay to the …
READ MORE →Professional Entities The Minnesota Professional Firms Act, Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 319B, was enacted in 1997 and authorizes practitioners of certain licensed professions to elect to be …
READ MORE →The “Significant Control or Assistance” Element The amended Rule covers business arrangements where the franchisor “will exert or has the authority to exert a significant degree of control over the …
READ MORE →Amending Articles of Organization A limited liability company may amend its articles of organization to include or modify any provision that is required or permitted to appear in the articles or to …
READ MORE →Subsidiaries When a corporation extends into a new product line or a new geographic area, it frequently establishes a “subsidiary” corporation. A subsidiary corporation is a separate legal entity …
READ MORE →Do you need to have a disclosure or disclaimer at the end of your emails? Most people don’t. Still, some professionals (like lawyers) may want an email disclosure. Email disclosures don’t …
READ MORE →Amending the Articles of Incorporation A corporation may amend its articles of incorporation to include or modify any provision that is required or permitted to appear in the articles or to omit any …
READ MORE →Other Provisions There is no publication (i.e., no “legal advertisement”) requirement for corporations incorporated under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 302A. There is also no statutory minimum capital …
READ MORE →Limited Partnerships A limited partnership is a type of partnership in which a limited partner is not personally liable for the partnership’s obligations solely by reason of being a limited …
READ MORE →Determining Whether a Name is Distinguishable General Rule In general, any name which contains a different word from existing names on file with the Secretary of State is distinguishable and the name …
READ MORE →Statutory Requirements Minnesota statutes set the naming rules for corporations, limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships, and limited liability companies. Before you commit to a name, …
READ MORE →Certificate of Assumed Name After you’ve decided what type of business entity is right for your business, you may have to decide on a business name. In this sub-series of posts, we’ll discuss: …
READ MORE →Net Operating Loss If the taxpayer’s deductions for the year exceed gross income, the taxpayer may have a net operating loss (NOL). The NOL is used to reduce taxable income in other years. There are …
READ MORE →Fringe Benefits Fringe benefits include items such as accident and health insurance, medical savings accounts, group term life insurance, salary continuation plans, reimbursements for educational …
READ MORE →Sample Item 23: Receipts ITEM 23: RECEIPTS Receipt This disclosure document summarizes certain provisions of the franchise agreement and other information in plain English. Read this disclosure …
READ MORE →What is the property tax refund program? The homeowner’s property tax refund program (sometimes called the “circuit breaker” or the PTR) is a state-paid refund that provides tax relief to homeowners …
READ MORE →Introduction Whether you are self-employed or an employee, if you use a portion of your home for business, you may be able to take a home office deduction, including some operating expenses for the …
READ MORE →Sole Proprietorship There are no federal or state regulations governing termination of the sole proprietorship itself. The sole proprietor simply winds up the affairs of the business and discontinues …
READ MORE →Sole Proprietorship A sole proprietor transfers ownership of the business by transferring the assets of the business to the new owner. The prior proprietorship is terminated and a new proprietorship …
READ MORE →A startup business, regardless of form, generally will find it difficult to obtain outside financing. The statistical failure rate for new businesses is high, and many lenders view financing the …
READ MORE →Sole Proprietorship The sole proprietor has full and complete authority to manage and control the business. There are no partners or shareholders to consult before making decisions. This form of …
READ MORE →All businesses, regardless of their form, will encounter certain organizational costs. These costs can include developing a business plan, obtaining necessary licenses and permits, conducting market …
READ MORE →Wages for employees are covered by both Federal and state wage and hour laws. The federal law that governs wage and overtime requirements is the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and the regulations …
READ MORE →A recent case before the Minnesota Court of Appeals was important because it affirmed the right to sue a Minnesota city, township, or other municipality. In the case, Washington County sued the City …
READ MORE →The federal Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides that if an employer violates the FMLA, the employee may be entitled to “liquidated damages”. Liquidated damages are in essence a penalty, are in …
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