The 14 Day Rule requires franchisors to provide the Franchise Disclosure Document at least fourteen days before a prospect signs a binding agreement or pays any initial fee. This waiting period ensures candidates have adequate time to evaluate the FDD.
The rule protects prospective franchisees by giving them enough time to review the FDD without pressure. Compliance protects franchisors from unlawful sales, civil penalties and rescission claims.
It is an unfair and deceptive trade practice under the federal Franchise Rule to fail to properly disclose the FDD.
To comply, franchisors must:
deliver the FDD (physically or electronically)
obtain a signed Item 23 FDD receipt
track the delivery date
avoid signing or accepting money until the fifteenth day
re disclose and restart timing if a material change occurs
Under federal law, the 14 day period is calculated using calendar days, not business days. Here is the exact method:
1. Day 1 starts the day after the prospect receives the FDD.
If the FDD is delivered on March 1, Day 1 is March 2.
2. Count fourteen full calendar days.
Weekends and holidays are included.
3. The prospect may not sign or pay until Day 15.
In this example, the earliest signing date is March 16.
4. Delivery must be documented.
A signed Item 23 receipt or timestamped electronic delivery record is required.
5. Any material amendment resets the 14 day period.
The franchisor must re disclose and restart timing.
Although the FTC Franchise Rule uses calendar days for both the 14 Day Rule and the 7 Day Rule, several registration states impose additional timing requirements that franchisors must follow. These state rules never shorten the federal timing period, but they can lengthen it or add extra timing obligations based on state law.
7 Day Rule
State Franchise Timing Variance
Franchise Registration State
FDD Renewal
Material Change
Franchise Examiner
Franchise Exemption
Non Registration State
Stop Order
Franchise Registration Management
Franchise Territory Mapping
Integrated Document Signing
CRM Tools
Franchise Disclosure Requirements: What Every Franchisor Needs to Know
2025 Guide to Franchise Registration States in the U.S.
State Franchise Registration: What Franchisors Need to Know Before Expanding
Zors Improves Franchise Registration Tracking With Color-Coded Map Status
Why a Federally Registered Trademark Matters When Offering Franchise Opportunities
E-Signature Integration with a Territory-Centric CRM Is a Game-Changer
Last updated: November 26, 2025
