FDD & legal coordination · Maryland
What Maryland requires before you offer a franchise, how the filing works, and how we prepare your FDD information with your franchise attorney so your launch stays on schedule.
Quick answer
Maryland is one of the 14 franchise registration states. Your Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) must be registered with the Office of the Attorney General, Securities Division and declared effective before you offer or sell a franchise to a Maryland resident or for a location in Maryland, and the registration is renewed every year. Plan for the state’s review time in your launch date, and do not advertise the franchise opportunity to Maryland residents until the filing is effective.
Updated October 2026
Yes. Maryland is one of the 14 franchise registration states. Your Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) must be registered with the Office of the Attorney General, Securities Division and declared effective before you offer or sell a franchise to a Maryland resident or for a location in Maryland, and the registration is renewed every year.
General information, not legal advice. State franchise and business-opportunity rules change; your franchise attorney confirms what applies to your offering.
Most delays come from inconsistencies the examiner spots: fees in Items 5 to 7 that do not match the agreement, an Item 19 financial performance representation without support, missing state addenda, or financial statements that are not current. We assemble the business information behind all 23 Items with your attorney so the filing is complete and consistent the first time.
Your registration order should follow your territory plan. In the Mid-Atlantic, Virginia also require registration. Nationally, 14 states require registration or notice filing before you sell. See the franchise registration states guide.
Franchise law status
Registration state
State regulator
Office of the Attorney General, Securities Division
FTC Franchise Rule
Applies (FDD 14 calendar days before signing or payment)
Franchise relationship law
No general franchise relationship statute
Leading markets
Baltimore, Columbia, Germantown, Silver Spring, Frederick
Strong categories
Childcare & education, Fitness, Home services, Beauty & wellness
FAQs
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Yes. Maryland is one of the 14 franchise registration states. Your Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) must be registered with the Office of the Attorney General, Securities Division and declared effective before you offer or sell a franchise to a Maryland resident or for a location in Maryland, and the registration is renewed every year.
It depends on the completeness of your filing and the state’s review queue. Build several weeks or more into your launch plan, and allow time to respond to any examiner comments.
Yes. Maryland filings are renewed annually, and material changes to your FDD during the year are filed as amendments.
Generally no. Offering the franchise includes advertising it to Maryland residents, so campaigns targeting Maryland should wait until the filing is effective. Your attorney confirms any permitted pre-registration activity.
The FDD and franchise agreement are prepared by your franchise attorney. Fransion and our franchise development partners assemble the business information, financial model and state filing plan, and manage the timeline with your counsel.
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