Under U.S. FTC rules, a prospective franchisee generally must receive the FDD at least 14 days before signing or paying.
The Franchise Rule requires the franchisor to provide the disclosure document at least 14 calendar days before asking the prospect to sign a binding agreement or make a payment to the franchisor or an affiliate in connection with the proposed franchise sale. The period is designed to give the buyer time to review the opportunity and investigate its claims.
The rule is broader than a simple signing deadline: payment can also trigger the required waiting period. A material revision to the disclosure document or proposed agreement may require updated delivery and another waiting period. State franchise laws can impose additional registration, disclosure, or timing requirements.
Fourteen days is therefore the federal baseline, not a guarantee that every franchise purchase can close exactly two weeks after delivery. Prospective buyers commonly use the period to contact current and former franchisees, review costs, and obtain professional advice.