California Code, Corporations Code - CORP § 31018

(a) “Sale” or “sell” includes every contract or agreement of sale of, contract to sell, or disposition of, a franchise or interest in a franchise for value.

(b) “Offer” or “offer to sell” includes every attempt to dispose of, or solicitation of an offer to buy, a franchise or interest in a franchise for value.

(c) The terms defined in this section do not include the renewal or extension of an existing franchise where there is no interruption in the operation of the franchised business by the franchisee; provided, that a material modification of an existing franchise, whether upon renewal or otherwise, is a “sale” within the meaning of this section.