Bus. & Prof. Code, § 20007

“Franchise fee” means any fee or charge that a franchisee or subfranchisor is required to pay or agrees to pay for the right to enter into a business under a franchise agreement, including, but not limited to, any payment for goods and services.

However, the following shall not be considered the payment of a franchise fee:

(a) The purchase or agreement to purchase goods at a bona fide wholesale price if no obligation is imposed upon the purchaser to purchase or pay for a quantity of goods in excess of that which a reasonable businessperson normally would purchase by way of a starting inventory or supply or to maintain a going inventory or supply.

(b) The payment of a reasonable service charge to the issuer of a credit card by an establishment accepting or honoring that credit card.

(c) Amounts paid to a trading stamp company under Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 17750) of Part 3 of Division 7 by a person issuing trading stamps in connection with the retail sale of merchandise or service.

(d) The payment, directly or indirectly, of a franchise fee which, on an annual basis, does not exceed the sum of one hundred dollars ($100).

(e) The payment of a sum of not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000) annually on account of the purchase price or rental of fixtures, equipment, or other tangible property to be utilized in, and necessary for, the operation of the franchised business, if the price or rental so charged does not exceed the cost which would be incurred by the franchisee acquiring the item or items from other persons or in the open market.