Teleconference, New Book Provide Guidance on New FTC Franchise Rule

Franchisors faced with having to comply with the new FTC franchise disclosure rule can receive help from an upcoming American Bar Association teleconference, as well as a new CCH law-and-explanation book.

The ABA Forum on Franchise is sponsoring a 90-minute teleconference and live audio webcast—“The New FTC Franchise Rule: A Primer for Practitioners”—on Thursday, April 12, from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Eastern time. The program will provide a comprehensive overview of the new rule, including a review of the most important changes. Panelists will be Susan Grueneberg of Dreier Stein & Kahan LLP (moderator), Kathryn M. Kotel of McDonald’s Corp., FTC Franchise Program Coordinator Steve Toporoff, and Maryland franchise regulator Dale Cantone.

Further information and registration are available at the ABA website. The program will be available on audio CD through the ABA Web Store.

Another helpful resource is the CCH law-and-explanation book—FTC Disclosure Rules for Franchising and Business Opportunities. The volume combines, in one handy reference, the text of the new franchise and business opportunity rules, the FTC’s lengthy Statement of Basis and Purpose, and Highlights and Analysis by prominent franchise attorneys David J. Kaufmann and David W. Oppenheim. The analysis features (1) a chart summarizing the disclosure variations between the revised franchise rule and the Uniform Franchise Offering Circular Guidelines and (2) a model franchise disclosure document prepared according to the new franchise rule.

For further information regarding the 336-page book, call the CCH customer service department (1-800-248-3248) or visit the CCH Online Store (http://onlinestore.cch.com) and search the keywords “FTC disclosure rule.”