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HomeCorporations Code§ 31018 Franchise Sale Definitions

§ 31018 Franchise Sale Definitions

Corporations Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 31018 Franchise Sale Definitions

Key Takeaways

  • •Selling a franchise means any deal where someone pays to own or get part of a franchise.
  • •Offering to sell a franchise means trying to get someone to buy it or asking if they want to buy it.
  • •If you renew or extend a franchise without stopping the business, it’s not considered a sale.
  • •But if you make big changes to the franchise, even during renewal, it counts as a sale.

Example

A fast-food owner wants to sell their restaurant to a friend.

If the friend pays to take over the restaurant, that’s a sale under this law. Even if the owner just asks the friend if they want to buy it, that’s an offer to sell.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 31018 Franchise Sale Definitions

(a) “Sale” or “sell” includes every contract or agreement of sale of, a contract to sell, or disposition of, a franchise or interest in a franchise for value. (b) “Offer” or “offer to sell” includes every attempt to dispose of, or solicitation of an offer to buy, a franchise or interest in a franchise for value. (c) The terms defined in this section do not include the renewal or extension of an existing franchise where there is no interruption in the operation of the franchised business by the franchisee; provided, that a material modification of an existing franchise, whether upon renewal or otherwise, is a “sale” within the meaning of this section. (Amended by Stats. 1977, Ch. 762.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

salesellofferoffer to sellfranchisematerial modification

Related Statutes

  • § 25017 Security Sale Definitions
  • § 29516 Sale Definition Scope
  • § 1305 Appraiser Report And Valuation
  • § 14312 Mutual Water Company Requirements
  • § 14700 Grocery Drug Acquisition Notice

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Corporations Code. Section 31018.
View Official Source