“Subfranchise” means any contract or agreement between a franchisor and a subfranchisor whereby the subfranchisor is granted the right, for consideration given in whole or in part for that right, to sell or negotiate the sale of franchises in the name or on behalf of the franchisor. A contract or agreement which is a franchise does not become a subfranchise merely because under its terms a person is granted the right to receive compensation for referrals to a franchisor or subfranchisor or to receive compensation for acting as a sales representative on their behalf.
Source:
Section 31008.5, https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CORP§ionNum=31008.5..