The promoter may offer to locate the machines for investors, may assist the investor in locating the machines, or may refer the investor to a professional locating service. The promoter may also represent that it will repair or replace broken machines. The promoter may also supply marketing plans, training, or other general guidance. Generally, the operator of the business opportunity is responsible for cleaning and restocking the machines or display racks, making sure needed repairs get done, and collecting the money. Under federal law, the promoter of a business opportunity is required to provide potential investors with complete pre-sale information in the form of a disclosure document.
Some states impose additional licensing and disclosure requirements.
A business opportunity is considered a franchise when its name is identified by a common trademark or trade name and the promoter offers investors significant assistance in operating the business or exercises significant control over the investor's method of operation. Federal law deals with franchises and business opportunities in much the same way. Always quick to seize on a new way to make an illicit buck, con artists have picked up on the changes in the traditional American job. In the typical illicit telemarketing operation, the phone operators play a number of different roles. Peddlers of bogus business opportunities do not seem to have a care in the world about a potential investor contacting existing operators.