When used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:
 1. “Affiliate” means a person controlling, controlled by, or under common control with another person, every officer or director of such a person, and every person occupying a similar status or performing similar functions.

Terms Used In Iowa Code 523H.1

  • Advertisement: means the attempt by dissemination, solicitation, or circulation to directly or indirectly induce any person to enter into any obligation or acquire any title or interest in land offered for sale or lease to the public in this state. See Iowa Code 543C.1
  • Affiliate: means a person controlling, controlled by, or under common control with another person, every officer or director of such a person, and every person occupying a similar status or performing similar functions. See Iowa Code 523H.1
  • Contract: means the same as defined in section 554D. See Iowa Code 554E.1
  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
  • Fair market value: The price at which an asset would change hands in a transaction between a willing, informed buyer and a willing, informed seller.
  • following: when used by way of reference to a chapter or other part of a statute mean the next preceding or next following chapter or other part. See Iowa Code 4.1
  • Franchise: means either of the following:
     (1) An oral or written agreement, either express or implied, which provides all of the following:
     (a) Grants the right to distribute goods or provide services under a marketing plan prescribed or suggested in substantial part by the franchisor. See Iowa Code 523H.1
  • Franchise fee: means a direct or indirect payment to purchase or operate a franchise. See Iowa Code 523H.1
  • Franchisee: means a person to whom a franchise is granted. See Iowa Code 523H.1
  • Franchisor: means a person who grants a franchise or master franchise, or an affiliate of such a person. See Iowa Code 523H.1
  • Lease: A contract transferring the use of property or occupancy of land, space, structures, or equipment in consideration of a payment (e.g., rent). Source: OCC
  • Marketing plan: means a plan or system concerning a material aspect of conducting business. See Iowa Code 523H.1
  • Master franchise: means an agreement by which a person pays a franchisor for the right to sell or negotiate the sale of franchises. See Iowa Code 523H.1
  • Person: means a person as defined in section 4. See Iowa Code 523H.1
  • refiner: means any person engaged in the refining of crude oil to produce motor fuel, and includes any affiliate of such person. See Iowa Code 523H.1
  • Sale: means any sale, offer for sale, or attempt to sell or lease any land, to the public in this state, for cash or on credit. See Iowa Code 543C.1
  • sell: means every contract or agreement of sale of, contract to sell or disposition of, a franchise or interest in a franchise for value. See Iowa Code 523H.1
  • Subfranchisee: means a person who is granted a franchise from a subfranchisor. See Iowa Code 523H.1
  • Subfranchisor: means a person who is granted a master franchise. See Iowa Code 523H.1
 2. “Business day” means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday.
 3. a. “Franchise” means either of the following:

 (1) An oral or written agreement, either express or implied, which provides all of the following:

 (a) Grants the right to distribute goods or provide services under a marketing plan prescribed or suggested in substantial part by the franchisor.
 (b) Requires payment of a franchise fee to a franchisor or its affiliate.
 (c) Allows the franchise business to be substantially associated with a trademark, service mark, trade name, logotype, advertisement, or other commercial symbol of or designating the franchisor or its affiliate.
 (2) A master franchise.
 b. “Franchise” does not include any business that is operated under a lease or license on the premises of the lessor or licensor as long as such business is incidental to the business conducted by the lessor or licensor on such premises, including, without limitation, leased departments, licensed departments, and concessions and the leased or licensed department operates only under the trademark, trade name, service mark, or other commercial symbol designating the lessor or licensor.
 c. “Franchise” also does not include any contract under which a petroleum retailer or petroleum distributor is authorized or permitted to occupy leased marketing premises, which premises are to be employed in connection with the sale, consignment, or distribution of motor fuel under a trademark which is owned or controlled by a refiner which is regulated by the federal Petroleum Marketing Practices Act, 15 U.S.C. § 2801 et seq. The term “refiner” means any person engaged in the refining of crude oil to produce motor fuel, and includes any affiliate of such person. “Franchise” also does not include a contract entered into by any person regulated under chapter 103A, subchapter IV, or chapter 123, 322, 322A, 322C, 322D, 322F, 522B, or 543B, or a contract establishing a franchise relationship with respect to the sale of construction equipment, lawn or garden equipment, or real estate.
 4. “Franchise fee” means a direct or indirect payment to purchase or operate a franchise. Franchise fee does not include any of the following:

 a. Payment of a reasonable service charge to the issuer of a credit card by an establishment accepting the credit card.
 b. Payment to a trading stamp company by a person issuing trading stamps in connection with a retail sale.
 c. An agreement to purchase at a bona fide wholesale price a reasonable quantity of tangible goods for resale.
 d. The purchase or agreement to purchase, at a fair market value, any fixtures, equipment, leasehold improvements, real property, supplies, or other materials reasonably necessary to enter into or continue a business.
 e. Payments by a purchaser pursuant to a bona fide loan from a seller to the purchaser.
 f. Payment of rent which reflects payment for the economic value of leased real or personal property.
 g. The purchase or agreement to purchase promotional or demonstration supplies, materials, or equipment furnished at fair market value and not intended for resale.
 5. “Franchisee” means a person to whom a franchise is granted. Franchisee includes the following:

 a. A subfranchisor with regard to its relationship with a franchisor.
 b. A subfranchisee with regard to its relationship with a subfranchisor.
 6. “Franchisor” means a person who grants a franchise or master franchise, or an affiliate of such a person. Franchisor includes a subfranchisor with regard to its relationship with a franchisee, unless stated otherwise in this chapter.
 7. “Marketing plan” means a plan or system concerning a material aspect of conducting business. Indicia of a marketing plan include any of the following:

 a. Price specification, special pricing systems, or discount plans.
 b. Sales or display equipment or merchandising devices.
 c. Sales techniques.
 d. Promotional or advertising materials or cooperative advertising.
 e. Training regarding the promotion, operation, or management of the business.
 f. Operational, managerial, technical, or financial guidelines or assistance.
 8. “Master franchise” means an agreement by which a person pays a franchisor for the right to sell or negotiate the sale of franchises.
 9. “Offer” or “offer to sell” means every attempt to offer or to dispose of, or solicitation of an offer to buy, a franchise or interest in a franchise for value.
 10. “Person” means a person as defined in section 4.1, subsection 20.
 11. “Sale” or “sell” means every contract or agreement of sale of, contract to sell or disposition of, a franchise or interest in a franchise for value.
 12. “Subfranchise” means an agreement by which a person pays a franchisor for the right to sell or negotiate the sale of franchises.
 13. “Subfranchisee” means a person who is granted a franchise from a subfranchisor.
 14. “Subfranchisor” means a person who is granted a master franchise.
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