The Federal Trade Commission regulates franchising on the national level. They are responsible for enforcing the FTC Rule, eliminating unfair or deceptive practices, prosecuting violators of franchising laws and consumer education.

The Small Business Administration provides loans to help small businesses get started and keep running efficiently. They also provide information about starting a small business, as well as upkeep, financing, statistics and disaster protection of your business.

American Association of Franchisees and Dealers
PO Box 81887, San Diego, CA 92138-1887
(800) 733-9858
www.aafd.org

The American Association of Franchisees and Dealers is a national non-profit trade association which represents the concerns and interests of franchisees and independent dealers throughout the United States. Their mission is to bring complete fairness to franchising, and they aim to accomplish this goal by providing its members with legislative and legal advocacy, education, accreditation, market support services and a strong code of ethics.

American Franchisee Association
53 West Jackson Boulevard, Suite 250, Chicago, IL 60604
(312) 431-0545
www.franchisee.org

The American Franchisee Association is a national trade association of franchisees and dealers who own franchise outlets throughout the country. The AFA advocates for changing the rules and laws that govern franchising on both the state and national levels. The AFA always advocates the franchisee’s position and communicates with federal lawmakers about the shortage of laws governing the relationship between franchisors and franchisees.

Asian American Hotel Owners Association
66 Lenox Pointe, NE
Atlanta, GA 30324
(404) 816-5759
www.aahoa.com

The Asian American Hotel Owners Association aims to create a healthier franchise system through both advocacy and education. The AAHOA organizes seminars and programs to help its members become better businesspeople and to run and grow their businesses more effectively. These include programs and seminars for certified hotel owners and for people who own more than one unit of a franchise, as well as regional programs about issues facing hoteliers.

International Franchise Association
1350 New York Avenue, N.W., Suite 900, Washington D.C. 20005-4709
(202) 628-8000
www.franchise.org

The International Franchise Association seeks to protect, enhance and promote franchising. The IFA achieves this end by holding in high esteem the virtues of trust, truth, honesty, mutual respect and open and frequent communication, the foundations of franchising. They can answer virtually any questions and have many programs and services to help franchisees succeed.

International Franchise Association: Franchising Basics and Franchise Compliance Program
http://ifa.intralearn.com

These programs are intended to help both franchisors and potential franchisees learn important information about franchises and franchise law. Each section discusses a different facet of franchising and has a quiz at the end to ensure that users have retained what they have read. The basic program for franchisees is an excellent way to learn important rules and regulations. The franchisor program is more involved but is also an extremely helpful tool for both franchisors and franchisees.

North American Securities Administrators Association
10 G Street, N.E., Suite 710, Washington, D.C. 20002
(202) 737-0900
www.nasaa.org

The North American Securities Administrators Association is a voluntary association whose membership includes many state, provincial and territorial securities administrators in the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Canada and Mexico. In the US, NASAA acts as the voice of the 50 state securities agencies responsible for investor protection and efficient capital formation by providing the public with information on these subjects.

The Better Business Bureau
(Contact your local state office)
www.bbb.org/library/busfranc.asp

The Better Business Bureau’s mission is to foster consumer confidence and promote the highest ethical relationship between businesses and consumers.