Florida Statutes

Fla. Stat. § 559.801 (2025)

Definitions.

✓ 2025 Florida Statutes — current through the 2025 Regular Session

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559.801 Definitions.—For the purpose of ss. 559.80-559.815, the term:

(1)(a) “Business opportunity” means the sale or lease of any products, equipment, supplies, or services which are sold or leased to a purchaser to enable the purchaser to start a business for which the purchaser is required to pay an initial fee or sum of money which exceeds $500 to the seller, and in which the seller represents:

1. That the seller or person or entity affiliated with or referred by the seller will provide locations or assist the purchaser in finding locations for the use or operation of vending machines, racks, display cases, currency or card operated equipment, or other similar devices or currency-operated amusement machines or devices on premises neither owned nor leased by the purchaser or seller;

2. That the seller will purchase any or all products made, produced, fabricated, grown, bred, or modified by the purchaser using in whole or in part the supplies, services, or chattels sold to the purchaser;

3. That the seller guarantees that the purchaser will derive income from the business opportunity which exceeds the price paid or rent charged for the business opportunity or that the seller will refund all or part of the price paid or rent charged for the business opportunity, or will repurchase any of the products, equipment, supplies, or chattels supplied by the seller, if the purchaser is unsatisfied with the business opportunity; or

4. That the seller will provide a sales program or marketing program that will enable the purchaser to derive income from the business opportunity, except that this paragraph does not apply to the sale of a sales program or marketing program made in conjunction with the licensing of a trademark or service mark that is registered under the laws of any state or of the United States if the seller requires use of the trademark or service mark in the sales agreement.

For the purpose of subparagraph 1., the term “assist the purchaser in finding locations” means, but is not limited to, supplying the purchaser with names of locator companies, contracting with the purchaser to provide assistance or supply names, or collecting a fee on behalf of or for a locator company.

(b) “Business opportunity” does not include:

1. The sale of ongoing businesses when the owner of those businesses sells and intends to sell only those business opportunities so long as those business opportunities to be sold are no more than five in number;

2. The not-for-profit sale of sales demonstration equipment, materials, or samples for a price that does not exceed $500 or any sales training course offered by the seller the cost of which does not exceed $500; or

3. The sale or lease of laundry and drycleaning equipment.

(2) “Department” means the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

(3) “Purchaser” includes a lessee.

(4) “Seller” includes a lessor.

History.—s. 1, ch. 79-374; s. 7, ch. 81-314; s. 1, ch. 89-193; s. 5, ch. 90-231; s. 1, ch. 92-161; s. 82, ch. 92-291; s. 1, ch. 93-244; s. 20, ch. 97-250; s. 11, ch. 2001-214.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 11 cases (3 in the last 5 years), 1983–2026 · leading case: Barnes v. Burger King Corp., 932 F. Supp. 1420 (S.D. Fla. 1996).

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Barnes v. Burger King Corp., 932 F. Supp. 1420 (S.D. Fla. 1996). · cites it 5× “The definition of “business opportunity” at issue here is found at § 559.801 and reads, in pertinent part: For the purpose of ss.”

Eclipse Med., Inc. v. Am. Hydro-Surgical Instruments, Inc., 262 F. Supp. 2d 1334 (S.D. Fla. 1999). · cites it 3× “” § 559.801, Fla. Stat. (1995). Thus, the statute only applies to relationships in which the purchaser or lessee purchased items or services in order to begin a previously non-existent business.”

Schubot v. McDonalds Corp., 757 F. Supp. 1351 (S.D. Fla. 1990). · cites it 4× “” Further, the statute states that a “ ‘[bjusiness opportunity’ does not include the sale of ongoing businesses when the owner of those businesses sells and intends to sell only those business opportunities so long as those business opportunities to be sold are no more than five…”

SIG, Inc. v. AT & T Digit. Life, Inc., 971 F. Supp. 2d 1178 (S.D. Fla. 2013). · cites it 2× “Fla. Stat. § 559.801 (1)(a). The facts alleged, taken as true, demonstrate that Xan-boo’s "Premier Dealer” business opportunity cost 8.”

Am. Casual Dining, L.P. v. Moe's Sw. Grill, L.L.C., 426 F. Supp. 2d 1356 (N.D. Ga. 2006). “1996); see Fla. Stat. Ann. § 559.801 (1)(a)(4). Although it appears that most franchise operations would fall outside the definition of “business opportunity,” the Court need not decide whether franchises are per se exempted.”

Siever v. BWGaskets, Inc., 669 F. Supp. 2d 1286 (M.D. Fla. 2009). “§§ 559.801-815 (2008). (Doc. No. 26, filed Nov.”

Adams v. State, 443 So. 2d 1003 (Fla. 2d DCA 1983). · cites it 2× “The nature of Adams' venture clearly constituted the sale of a "business opportunity" as defined in section 559.801(1), Florida Statutes (1981).”

State v. Herman, 466 So. 2d 435 (Fla. 5th DCA 1985). · cites it 6× “The trial court granted the motion because it found that section 559.801, Florida Statutes (1983) does not apply to the type of transaction charged in the information.”

MI-BOX of North Florida, LLC, Plaintiff v. MI-BOX Florida, LLC, Defendant, 2024 DNH 102 (D.N.H. 2024). · cites it 2× “Fla. Stat. § 559.801 (1)(a)(4) (emphasis supplied).”

MI-BOX of North Florida, LLC v. MI-BOX Holding Co. (D.N.H. 2024). “Fla. Stat. § 559.801 (1)(a)(4) (emphasis supplied).”

MI-BOX of North Florida, LLC v. MI-BOX Florida, LLC (D.N.H. 2026). “It argued persuasively (and successfully) that MBNF did not purchase a “business opportunity,” as that term is defined in the Florida Business Opportunity Act, Fla. Stat. § 559.801 , et seq. See generally Order Granting Defendant’s Motion to Dismiss (document no.”

— 559.801(1) — 2 cases

Schubot v. McDonalds Corp., 757 F. Supp. 1351 (S.D. Fla. 1990). “” Further, the statute states that a “ ‘[bjusiness opportunity’ does not include the sale of ongoing businesses when the owner of those businesses sells and intends to sell only those business opportunities so long as those business opportunities to be sold are no more than five…”

Adams v. State, 443 So. 2d 1003 (Fla. 2d DCA 1983). “The nature of Adams' venture clearly constituted the sale of a "business opportunity" as defined in section 559.801(1), Florida Statutes (1981).”

— 559.801(l)(a) — 1 case

Barnes v. Burger King Corp., 932 F. Supp. 1420 (S.D. Fla. 1996). “The definition of “business opportunity” at issue here is found at § 559.801 and reads, in pertinent part: For the purpose of ss.”

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