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35-7 · Associations & cooperatives

Franchisee Association Registration and Change Registration with the Fair Trade Commission

Franchisee association registration is a system introduced by Article 14-3 of the Fair Transactions in Franchise Business Act, as amended on December 30, 2025, under which associations can apply to the Fair Trade Commission from December 31, 2026. An association may register if it consists only of franchisees who hold franchise agreements with a specific franchisor and use the same business mark, and if it meets the membership ratio or the minimum number of members set by Presidential Decree. The registered items are the name and purpose, the location of the main office, member qualifications and the member list, the representative and officers, and the meeting and decision-making rules; when important items change, a change registration must be filed within the prescribed period. When a registered association requests consultation on trading terms, the franchisor must respond in accordance with the standards and procedures set by Presidential Decree.

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#Franchisee Association Registration and Change Registration with the Fair Trade Commission#Official check#35-7
🌐 Registering a Franchisee Association with the Fair Trade Commission
01

Procedure

Procedure

  1. 01

    Confirm eligibility: Check against the franchise agreements that every member maintains an agreement with the same franchisor and uses the same business mark. A franchisor with several business marks requires a separate association for each mark, and an association that mixes franchisees of different marks does not meet the registration requirements.

  2. 02

    Check membership size: Compare the current member list against the figures in the promulgated amended Enforcement Decree to see whether the members reach the required ratio of all franchisees using the same business mark or the required minimum number of members. Meeting either standard is sufficient.

  3. 03

    Prepare the articles, member list and general meeting minutes: Put the name and purpose, member qualifications, representative and officers, and meeting and decision-making rules into the articles or bylaws, record the election of the representative and officers and the adoption of the articles in general meeting minutes, and prepare a member list showing each franchise outlet's trade name and location.

  4. 04

    Prepare and submit the registration application: After the effective date of December 31, 2026, submit an application stating the registration items, together with the articles and member list, to the Fair Trade Commission. The Act allows the registration work to be delegated to the Korea Fair Trade Mediation Agency or another body, so the receiving body and the form must be confirmed in the Enforcement Decree.

  5. 05

    Respond to supplement requests and request consultation: If a supplement request is received, add to the member list and minutes, and after registration request consultation on trading terms with the franchisor. If two or more registered associations make requests, the franchisor consults first with the association made up of more franchisees.

  6. 06

    Manage change registration: When important items set by Presidential Decree, such as the representative, officers or members, change, file a change registration application within the prescribed period. If the change registration is not filed or the registration requirements are no longer met, the Fair Trade Commission may cancel the registration after a hearing.

02

Filing route

Filing route

Fair Trade Commission (the body entrusted with registration work is to be confirmed in the amended Enforcement Decree)

Confirm the current filing office, jurisdiction, and online availability on the official website.

Official check
Actual processing agencyCompetent Korean authority or official service
Statutory and policy authorityCompetent Korean authority or official service
Online routeOfficial check
03

Deadlines & processing notes

Deadlines & processing notes

Check deadlines and next steps against the notice, filing date, and any request for additional documents.Official check
04

Basic documents

Basic documents

Basic documents0 / 7

Registration obtained by false or other fraudulent means must be cancelled, so the number of franchisees and the business mark shown in the member list must match the franchise agreement records.

Scope of services

Scope of services

Hwang Yunsang Administrative Agent Office prepares and translates documents for administrative agencies, submits them on your behalf, and guides you through permit, application, and notification procedures. Services that require the principal’s personal appearance, principal’s application, or electronic signature may be limited in delegation.