Connecticut Franchise Law
Connecticut is a franchise filing state.
For franchisors with a federally registered trademark, Connecticut requires a one-time Business Opportunity Exclusion Claim (Form CT-BOIA-EX) — filed electronically with the Connecticut Department of Banking, with no filing fee — confirming your exclusion from the Connecticut Business Opportunity Investment Act. The form is refiled only if material changes occur to your trademarks, ownership, or the character of your offering.
If your trademarks are not federally registered, Connecticut requires FDD registration under the Business Opportunity Investment Act (registration fee: $400; renewal: $100). In every case, your FDD must comply with the FTC Franchise Rule, including 14-day pre-sale disclosure.
Connecticut's Business Opportunity Investment Act — and Why Trademarks Decide Everything
Connecticut regulates franchise sales through its Business Opportunity Investment Act (BOIA) rather than a conventional franchise registration law — and the Act contains an exclusion that makes your federal trademark registration the deciding factor.
Franchisors whose trademarks are federally registered with the USPTO are excluded from the Act's registration requirements; franchisors without federal registration are not, and must register before offering or selling in Connecticut. This is one of the clearest examples of why federal trademark registration is a foundational step of franchising — it doesn't just protect your brand; in Connecticut and several other states, it determines your filing obligations.
The Exclusion Form CT-BOIA-EX (No Fee)
As of September 30, 2025, Connecticut streamlined the exclusion process: franchisors claiming the trademark exclusion file Form CT-BOIA-EX (Business Opportunity Exclusion Claim) electronically with the Connecticut Department of Banking. There is no filing fee. The filing is intended to be one-time — but must be refiled if material changes occur, such as modifications to your trademarks, changes in ownership or control, or changes in how your offering is characterized.
If Your Trademarks Are Not Federally Registered
Without federal trademark registration, the exclusion is unavailable and your FDD must be registered with the Connecticut Department of Banking under the BOIA — initial registration fee $400, renewal $100.
FDD Compliance Still Applies
The exclusion relieves the state filing burden — not your disclosure obligations. Your FDD must comply with the FTC Franchise Rule everywhere, including disclosure to Connecticut prospects at least 14 days before any agreement is signed or fee is paid. Connecticut's Item 3 requirements are also among those that sweep broader than the federal baseline — one of the reasons your FDD should be prepared multi-state compliant from day one.
FAQ's
No. Connecticut is a franchise filing state that regulates franchise sales through its Business Opportunity Investment Act (BOIA). Franchisors with a federally registered trademark are excluded from the Act's registration requirements and instead file a one-time, no-fee Business Opportunity Exclusion Claim (Form CT-BOIA-EX) with the Connecticut Department of Banking. Franchisors without federally registered trademarks must register their FDD with the state before offering or selling franchises in Connecticut.
Form CT-BOIA-EX is Connecticut's Business Opportunity Exclusion Claim — the streamlined filing, introduced September 30, 2025, through which franchisors with federally registered trademarks claim their exclusion from the Connecticut Business Opportunity Investment Act. It is filed electronically with the Connecticut Department of Banking, carries no filing fee, and is intended as a one-time filing — refiled only if material changes occur, such as modifications to your trademarks, changes in ownership or control, or changes in how your franchise offering is characterized.
No. With a federally registered trademark, you are excluded from Connecticut's registration requirements — you file the no-fee Form CT-BOIA-EX exclusion claim instead of registering. Your FDD disclosure obligations under the FTC Franchise Rule still apply: prospective Connecticut franchisees must receive your FDD at least 14 days before signing a franchise agreement or paying any fees.
Nothing, for most franchisors: the Form CT-BOIA-EX exclusion claim has no filing fee. If your trademarks are not federally registered and FDD registration is required, the registration fee is $400, with a $100 renewal. For most franchisors facing the registration path, the better long-term answer is completing federal trademark registration — which resolves the Connecticut filing obligation and strengthens the trademark foundation your entire franchise system is built on.
The exclusion claim is intended as a one-time filing with no annual renewal — but it must be refiled if material changes occur to your trademarks, your ownership or control, or the characterization of your offering. Franchisors should treat the exclusion as part of their annual compliance review: when your FDD is updated each year, confirm nothing material has changed that would require a refiled Form CT-BOIA-EX.
Connecticut Franchise Law Links and Resources
You may find the links to the right helpful regarding Connecticut franchise laws.
We also recommend visiting our interactive franchise registration map to learn more about state franchise laws, FDD registration states, and required franchise filings.
Questions About Franchising in Connecticut?
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