Franchise territories, honestly mapped

The three places the answer lives

1 · Item 12 — the rule. Every FDD states what territory you get: an exclusive territory (the franchisor cannot place another unit inside it), a protected territory (partial protection), non-exclusive (you get no exclusivity at all), or no territory. We have extracted and verified the Item 12 classification for 2,080 brands.

2 · Item 20 — the map. The FDD's outlet tables disclose where the brand's franchised units actually are, state by state. For 400 brands we publish that map on the brand's page.

3 · The exclusion logic. Put the rule and the map together and you can see the negative space: an area inside an existing franchisee's exclusive or protected territory is not available while that agreement runs. Only the franchisor can confirm availability.

Worked example

Take any large brand in the catalog — open its page and read its territory section: the Item 12 words first, then the state map of its existing units, then the list of states with no disclosed presence. That is how you research a brand like McDonald's or a regional concept with the same rigor: see where they are, read the rule that governs where they can go next, and treat the empty states as candidates to verify with the franchisor — not as guarantees.

Exclusive territory — 469 brands

Under this brand's Item 12 rule, the franchisor grants an exclusive territory: while your agreement runs, the franchisor may not place another franchisee — or operate a competing company unit — inside your territory's boundaries (subject to the carve-outs in the FDD). Areas inside an existing franchisee's territory are therefore not available to a new buyer.

Protected territory — 478 brands

Under this brand's Item 12 rule, the territory carries some protection but not full exclusivity — for example, the franchisor may reserve certain channels or accounts. Future concepts may also be reserved. Areas inside an existing franchisee's protected territory are generally not available to a new buyer for a directly competing unit; the exact limits are in the FDD text quoted above.

Non-exclusive territory — 1,072 brands

Under this brand's Item 12 rule, you do not receive an exclusive territory. The franchisor may sell additional franchises in the same area. It may also operate company units there. Or it may sell through other channels. No area is reserved for you. No area is closed to you by another franchisee's exclusivity either. Placement is the franchisor's decision.