Yes, as stated you need to consult an attorney - this will protect you in the long run. One small slip and it could really hurt you and your family. Also, the franchisor should knwo the ins and outs of a franchise in AR - they should be the ones you turn to for that information. You might also try to find a SCORE office in AR and ask them as they would be well versed in that state's laws.

Adele, Congratulations on your decision to relocate to the Little Rock area. From what I understand, it's a wonderful place to raise a family. From what I've read in your posts, it's my belief that you should consider consulting with two separate, but experienced lawyers. One for your immigration questions and processing, the other to help you deal with the franchising issues, leasing, etc (they are two very important but different disciplines). The good news is that the Arkansas Bar Association has a great website to help you get started (arkbar.com/). Next, I believe the franchisor that you mentioned offers their franchise areas out by zip code. Since the density and quality of the demographics can vary greatly from town to town, I think you might benefit by taking a look at the US Census Dept's website (http://www.census.gov/) where they have all sorts of great information available to you (and the site is outstanding in my humble opinion). Although I'm sure you know there's much more to a good site than strong demographics, it's a good starting point and can be helpful when considering your franchise area. Finally, ...write a good business plan, stay passionate about what you do and best of luck! Regards, Tony O ---This post was edited to remove a commercial link. Read our discussion policies for more Community best practices.

Thank you very much for the info. It is called Candy Bouquet. I have already purchased the franchise but for the South African territory so now I was asked to transfer there.

Hi adele3950, The Arkansas Small Business Guide will help you through the steps to starting a business, including business licenses, tax registration requirements, and business name registration. What kind of franchise are you planning to start? Here is a good resource for buying a franchise that you might want to look into. Here are some blog articles that may be helpful as well: Franchise Opportunity Exploration Starts At The Kitchen Table The Franchise Business Model; Opportunities Galore For Women Do You Have That Special Personality Needed To Be A Franchise Owner? If you are a foreign national looking to start a business in the U.S., read the following articles to learn more about how to start a business, manage business travel visas, and apply for the necessary licenses and permits: Doing Business in the USA Starting a Business in the U.S. as a Foreign National