Form 2703—General Information
(Business Opportunity Exemption Notice)
The attached form is designed to meet minimal statutory filing requirements pursuant to the relevant
code provisions. This form and the information provided are not substitutes for the advice and services of an
attorney.
Commentary
The offering or sale of business opportunities in Texas is governed by the Business Opportunity Act,
Chapter 51, Texas Business & Commerce Code, and the secretary of state’s administrative rules, title 1,
Chapter 97 of the Texas Administrative Code. Before an offering or sale of a business opportunity in
Texas, the principal seller must register the business opportunity with the secretary of state. Tex. Bus.
& Comm. Code § 51.051.
Section 51.003(a) defines “business opportunity” with certain exceptions listed in Section 51.003(b).
Section 51.003(b)(8) excludes franchise agreements (as defined in 16 C.F.R. Part 436) from the
definition of “business opportunity” if the franchisor complies with 16 C.F.R. Part 436 and other
Federal Trade Commission orders or actions. Before offering or selling such a franchise in Texas,
however, the franchisor must file this exemption statement with the secretary of state.
The exemption statement is a one-time filing; however, if the franchisor’s principal address changes, the
franchisor should notify the secretary of state of the change in writing with Form 2707. There is no
filing fee for an address update.
Instructions for Form
Name of Franchisor: Provide the legal name of the franchisor claiming the exemption. It is
also requested that you provide a telephone number.
Other Name(s): List all names under which the franchisor transacts or intends to transact
business.
Principal Business Address: Provide the principal business address of the franchisor.
Payment and Delivery Instructions: The filing fee for a business opportunity exemption
notice is $25. Fees may be paid by personal checks, money orders, LegalEase debit cards or
American Express, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa credit cards. Checks or money orders must
be payable through a U.S. bank or financial institution and made payable to the secretary of
state. Fees paid by credit card are subject to a statutorily authorized convenience fee of 2.7
percent of the total fees.
The completed form, along with the filing fee, may be mailed to Registrations Unit, P.O. Box
13193, Austin, Texas 78711-3193 or delivered to the James Earl Rudder Office Building, 1019
Brazos, Austin, Texas 78701.
Revised 05/2016
Form 2703 Instruction Page 1 – Do not submit with filing.
