In California, which agency should be contacted regarding Annex Brands franchises?

According to Annex Brands' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, if the document contains a false or misleading statement, or a material omission, it should be reported to the appropriate state agency identified on Exhibit A. For California specifically, Item 17 is modified to state that any complaints concerning the content of Annex Brands' website may be directed to the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation at www.dfpi.ca.gov.

This means that prospective Annex Brands franchisees in California who have concerns about the franchise offering or the content of the company's website have a specific state agency to contact. This provides a channel for addressing grievances and seeking resolution at the state level. The California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation is the designated entity for handling such complaints.

It is important to note that the FDD also clarifies that the registration of the Annex Brands franchise does not constitute approval, recommendation, or endorsement by the Commissioner. This serves as a reminder that the state's role is primarily regulatory and does not involve an assessment of the franchise's viability or suitability for individual franchisees. Therefore, while the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation is available to address complaints, prospective franchisees must still conduct their own thorough due diligence before investing in an Annex Brands franchise.