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South Dakota franchisor bonds.
$150 flat.

When South Dakota’s Securities Regulation administrator conditions a franchise filing on protecting prepaid franchise fees, a franchisor can post a $30,000 surety bond instead of escrowing those fees, under the Franchise Investment Act (SDCL 37-5B). Ours is $150 flat — set by our carrier’s rate book, and the application collects no credit information.

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Filed with the Division of Insurance, Securities Regulation under SDCL 37-5B
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Posted in lieu of escrowing or impounding franchise fees when the administrator requires that protection
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Fixed amount, $150 flat — $30,000 bond, no credit section in the application
A-ratedA.M. Best carriersInstantunderwriting process1–3 yrterms available
Trusted by industry leaders
New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC)
Blumenfeld Development Group (BDG)
Capital Development Partners
McKinney Properties
Terra Capital
JLL (Jones Lang LaSalle)
Triple Five Group
The Georgetown Company
New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC)
Blumenfeld Development Group (BDG)
Capital Development Partners
McKinney Properties
Terra Capital
JLL (Jones Lang LaSalle)
Triple Five Group
The Georgetown Company
How it works

Three steps. One sitting.

This bond is simple to issue. Here’s the entire process:

NOW · ONLINE

Apply online

Franchisor details and an effective date. That’s the application — no financials and no credit section.

MINUTES, USUALLY

Pay & e-sign

Fixed-amount bonds like this are among the thousands of bond types that issue right after purchase.

SAME DAY

File with Securities Regulation

Your executed bond arrives by email, ready to submit with your franchise notice filing. Wet-ink original mailed on request.

About this bond

What it is and who needs it.

What the franchisor bond actually covers

South Dakota regulates the offer and sale of franchises under the Franchise Investment Act (SDCL 37-5B), administered by the Division of Insurance, Securities Regulation within the Department of Labor & Regulation. The Act lets the administrator protect prepaid franchise fees when a franchisor’s financial condition or other circumstances warrant it.

When that protection is required, a franchisor can escrow or impound the franchise fees, or post a surety bond in lieu of escrow — and the bond filed here is the $30,000 version of that surety. It protects franchisees who pay fees before the franchisor performs.

This bond is not a mandate on every franchisor — many franchise filings clear without one. It applies when the administrator conditions your filing on bonding or escrow. If you’re unsure whether your filing needs it, confirm with Securities Regulation; if it does, the $30,000 bond is the standard amount, and we issue it at a flat $150 with no credit section in the application.

SDCL 37-5B (Franchise Investment Act)South Dakota’s Franchise Investment Act (SDCL 37-5B et seq.), administered by the Division of Insurance, Securities Regulation, governs the offer and sale of franchises in the state. The administrator may require a franchisor to protect prepaid franchise fees through escrow, impoundment, or a surety bond in lieu of escrow. The $30,000 surety bond satisfies that requirement where it applies; not every franchise filing triggers it — confirm with Securities Regulation.

You need this bond if you’re

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A franchisor filing in South Dakota whose filing is conditioned on protecting franchise fees
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Choosing a bond over escrow to avoid tying up prepaid fees in an impound account
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Renewing a franchise registration that already carries a bond requirement
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Asked by Securities Regulation to post fee protection as part of your notice filing

One application, issued instantly.

These are the actual issuing fields — no credit section, because this bond doesn’t have one.

Start the application →
FAQ

Common questions.

How much is the South Dakota franchisor bond?The premium is $150 flat, set by our carrier’s rate book for the $30,000 bond amount, the same for every franchisor. The $30,000 is the standard amount, so there’s no quote process.
Does every franchisor need this bond?No. Under the Franchise Investment Act, fee protection — escrow, impoundment, or a surety bond in lieu of escrow — applies when the Securities Regulation administrator conditions your filing on it. Many filings clear without a bond. Confirm with Securities Regulation whether yours requires one.
Do I pay the $30,000?No. You pay $150. The $30,000 is the surety’s maximum liability if a valid claim is made against the bond — it’s not a deposit, and nobody holds your money.
Bond or escrow — which is cheaper?The bond is usually far cheaper than tying up prepaid franchise fees in an escrow or impound account. You pay the $150 premium rather than locking up cash that could be working in your business.
Is there a credit check?The application collects no credit information — there’s no credit section at all. Most franchisor applications approve instantly.
Which A-rated carriers underwrite these bonds?Typically Arch Insurance Company (A.M. Best A+) or Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company (A.M. Best A). Which one writes your bond depends on the bond type and your state. The carrier's name and official signature are printed on the bond you receive.
How do I contact Light RFP about this bond?Email insurance@lightrfp.com. It reaches the bond team at Light RFP Risk Management Services LLC (NY DFS License # PC-1978982). Write to us about quotes, applications, bond forms or certificates. We will respond within 24 hours.
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Franchise fee protection, sorted today.

$150 flat, no credit review, bond often issued in the same sitting. Free until issued.

Your price$150
Apply now →