What general laws must Annex Brands franchisees comply with?

You must comply with various federal, state and local laws and regulations, including copyright laws that impact the operation of your retail center franchise. Examples include: (i) USPS Regulations, including certain forms and notifications to U. S. Postmasters, such as filing a USPS Form 1583 on each mailbox customer you service, and complying with certain customer return addressing requirements; (ii) laws requiring you to accept service of process for customers in some states; (iii) inspection of scales by the local and Federal Departments of Weights and Measures; (iv) laws and regulations governing offering notary services and any state laws that may require you to be subject to fingerprinting and a competency test; (v) regulations governing Internet auctions as set forth by any state or federal agency and eBay, Inc.; (vi) laws governing the shipment and transport of hazardous substances, alcoholic beverages, firearms, lithium batteries, food, plants, agricultural products and animals; (vii) regulations governing the transportation and handling of hazardous and dangerous substances and cargo; (viii) certain air cargo restrictions instituted under various Homeland Security-related laws; (ix) laws, regulations, industry standards, and PCI Data Security standards, as required for merchants that accept payment cards and, if applicable for flex retail centers, (x) laws and regulations by state and federal agencies for moving companies, including the U .S. Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration; and (xi) licensing requirements, rules, and tariffs governing the transportation and delivery of household goods and general commodities, both in transportation domestically and internationally. Certain services, such as Western Union, also may require fingerprinting or a bond.

We are not aware of any other regulations specific to the operation of the franchised business, although you must comply with all local, state and federal laws applicable to businesses in general, including the Americans with Disabilities Act, Federal Wage and Hour Laws and the Occupational Safety and Health Act. You should also investigate whether there are state or local regulations and requirements that may apply in the geographic area in which you intend to conduct business and should consider both their effect and cost of compliance.

Source: Item 1 — The Franchisor and any Parents, Predecessors, and Affiliates (FDD pages 9–13)