The offer and sale of franchises are regulated by the FTC Rule, but the rule has minimum requirements for franchise sales professions. This may be changing because franchise companies rarely sell franchises directly.

Franchise companies typically utilize third-party franchise sales professionals to help find quality franchisees, those with the financial wherewithal to purchase and expand the franchise, and to cultivate the prospects to final purchase. Given the competition for franchises, finding the best franchisees requires skilled salespersons who comply with the FTC Rule for the offering and sale of franchises and other rules in some states. This article is an introduction to the world of franchise sales professionals. For more detail, I recommend E. Gerhards, H. Hillman and G. Wells, "The Latest on Working with Franchise Sales Organizations, Agents and Brokers," ABA Forum on Franchising, November 2-4, 2022.