Who is the state administrator responsible for franchise oversight in Maryland for Benjamin Franklin Plumbing?
Benjamin_Franklin_Plumbing Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
INFORMATION REQUIRED BY THE STATE OF MARYLAND
Item 5 , Additional Disclosures.
Based on the financial condition of our guarantor, AB Assetco LLC, the Maryland Securities Commissioner has required a financial assurance. Therefore, all initial fees and payments owed by franchisees shall be deferred until the franchisor completes its pre-opening obligations under the franchise agreement.
Item 17, Additional Disclosures.
The Franchise Agreement requires you to sign a general release as a condition of renewal or transfer of the franchise, modification of the territory of the franchise, or licensing an additional territory. This release will not apply to any liability under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law.
A franchisee may bring a lawsuit in Maryland for claims arising under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law.
Any claims arising under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law must be brought within three (3) years after the grant of the franchise.
Item 22, Additional Disclosure.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 87–88)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
The 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document for Benjamin Franklin Plumbing includes information required by the state of Maryland, indicating that the Maryland Securities Commissioner has required a financial assurance based on the financial condition of the guarantor, AB Assetco LLC. As a result, all initial fees and payments owed by franchisees are deferred until Benjamin Franklin Plumbing completes its pre-opening obligations under the franchise agreement. The FDD also clarifies that the general release franchisees are required to sign for renewal, transfer, territory modification, or additional territory licensing does not apply to liability under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law.
Additionally, the Benjamin Franklin Plumbing FDD states that franchisees can bring lawsuits in Maryland for claims arising under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law, with a three-year statute of limitations from the grant of the franchise. The Franchise Agreement is modified to ensure that Maryland law governs claims arising under that law, and the franchisee's right to bring an action in Maryland is protected.
However, the specific name or contact information for the state administrator responsible for franchise oversight in Maryland is not provided in this excerpt. The FDD does mention that information comparing franchisors is available and suggests calling state administrators listed in Exhibit J or consulting a public library for sources of information. To find the relevant state administrator, a prospective Benjamin Franklin Plumbing franchisee should consult Exhibit J of the FDD or contact the New York State Department of Law, Bureau of Investor Protection and Securities.