Illinois Attorney General - Franchise in Illinois

The Office of the Attorney General is taking measures to address both our obligation to serve the public and the State of Illinois and our concern for the well-being of our employees and the general public health in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Office of the Attorney General is open but operating with reduced staff. This may mean that time frames for review of franchise registration and renewal information may be longer and responses to emails or telephone calls may be delayed. In addition, any franchisor that is currently and properly registered or exempted under the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act, whose registration or exemption is due to expire between April 1, 2020 and June 1, 2020, is automatically granted an extension of 60 days from their anniversary date to file their franchise renewal application without penalty. If their franchise renewal application is mailed within the allotted extension time, franchisors do not need to submit more than the $100 annual report fee, may submit the same annual report documentation, and will be shown as continuously registered in the Administrator’s system. Notwithstanding this extension, franchisors shall not enter into franchise agreements with the prospective franchisees until a complete renewal application or exemption renewal has been received by the Office of the Attorney General, and any prospective franchisee has received this updated disclosure document. Nothing in this notice is intended to affect any private rights of action under the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act.

The Franchise Bureau in the Office of the Attorney General registers and monitors franchisors and brokers who seek to sell franchises in Illinois. The goal of the bureau and the Franchise Disclosure Act it administers is to provide presale disclosures and protection for prospective franchisees. The bureau provides information on the Act and rules applicable to the offering of franchises and on business and financial histories of franchisors.