Monthly Archives: August 2017

Why Prospective Franchisees Need to Read (and Keep) the FDD

Aug 31, 2017 - Blog by |

The Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) is a legal document that franchisors are legally-required to provide to new franchisees at least 14 calendar days (or longer in some states) before they sign a franchise agreement. While scouring the pages of an FDD can seem like a daunting task, state and federal laws require franchisors to provide prospective franchisees with these documents for a reason, and anyone considering a potential franchise opportunity should be sure to carefully review all 23 “Items” of the franchisor’s FDD. Still not sure that you want to try to conquer the FDD? Here are 10 reasons why it will be worth your time: 10 Reasons to Read Your Franchisor’s FDD 1. You Can Learn about the Franchisor’s History and Key Personnel How long has the franchisor been franchising? What experience do its executives and key personnel have both (i) in the business being franchised, and (ii) in the franchise industry? You can find these answers in Items 1 and 2 of the FDD. 2. You Can Find Out if the Franchisor Has Been Sued Is the franchisor in litigation with any of its franchisees? Is it facing a lawsuit that could lead to insolvency? Items 3 and 4 of the FDD include important information about litigation and the franchisor’s bankruptcy history (if any). 3. You Can Find Out How Much You Have to Pay Items 5 and 6 of the FDD disclose the fees you will need to pay to the franchisor (including the initial franchise fee, […]

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What Makes a Good Franchisor?

Aug 29, 2017 - Blog by |

What makes a good franchisor? It is a simple question, but most people have different answers. Do you value strong operational support? Or, do you prefer to operate under an established brand but to otherwise be left alone? Do you want your franchisor’s executives to be franchise-industry veterans? Or, are you looking for an innovative opportunity that has gained traction by breaking the mold (within the confines of the highly-regulated franchise industry)? If you are considering a first-time franchise opportunity, it is understandable that you are looking for guidance on the factors to consider when evaluating prospective franchisors. Here are some tips that may help you in making an informed decision: 5 Tips for Evaluating Prospective Franchisors 1. Assess the Owners’ and Executives’ Experience When you are relying on a franchisor for success, the people behind the company matter. Some franchisors are owned and run by individuals who were successful in building a brand and business model, but who lack any prior knowledge or experience in franchising. Then, there are the franchisors that hire industry veterans who have previously built and sold large franchise systems. One option is not necessarily better than the other, and you need to decide what you value most in the leadership of your franchise organization. You can find information about the franchisor’s owners, executives, directors and managers in Item 2 of the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). 2. Consider the Number of Years the Franchisor Has Been Franchising The age of the franchise system may be […]

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The Four Kinds of Franchise Lawyers (and Which One is Right for You)

Aug 24, 2017 - Blog by |

Whether you are considering a franchise opportunity or you are facing potential arbitration or litigation with your franchisor, you need experienced legal representation. The franchise relationship is rife with legal implications, and overlooking issues or making uninformed decisions can have potentially-drastic consequences for unexpecting franchisees. But, just like franchise opportunities, not all franchise lawyers are alike. So, how do you choose the right type of franchise lawyer to meet your needs? Relevant experience should certainly be among the driving factors, and you can learn a lot about a franchise lawyer by the scope and focus of his or her practice. What are the Four Kinds of Franchise Lawyers? 1. Lawyers that Handle Franchise and Non-Franchise Matters The first type of franchise lawyer is one who handles franchise-related legal issues as part of a broader practice. For example, many lawyers represent clients facing a wide range of business-related issues, including those specific to franchising. While this type of practice can be good for clients who need general business advice or who face a wide range of legal issues on a daily basis, due to the complexities of franchising, franchisees will often be able to obtain more nuanced and in-depth advice from a franchise-specific attorney. 2. Lawyers that Represent Franchisees and Franchisors The majority of true franchise lawyers represent both franchisees and franchisors. The reason for this is often financial: While there are far more franchisees than franchisors, franchisors have “deep pockets” and the need for ongoing legal representation. As a result, […]

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5 Legal Resources for Prospective Franchise Buyers

Aug 22, 2017 - Blog by |

If you are considering a venture into the world of franchising, there is a lot you need to know. From practical considerations (i.e. Do you have the drive to grow a successful business?) to financial ones (i.e. How much can you reasonably expect to make as a franchisee, and is it enough?), buying a franchise is not a decision to be made lightly. Then, there are the legal aspects. A franchise is a legal relationship governed by a complex (and franchisor-friendly) franchise agreement and a variety of general, franchise and industry-specific laws. To protect their financial interests and ensure that they have as many rights as possible, it is imperative that prospective franchisees give due consideration to the relevant legal issues during the franchise buying process. These resources provide an introduction to many of the legal issues that are important to franchisees: 1. Why Buy a Franchise? Have you asked yourself, “Why do I want to buy a franchise?” It is an important question, and one that gets overlooked with surprising frequency. Often, potential buyers get hooked on the idea of hitting the ground running while still running their own businesses, or they get sold on a particular franchise opportunity without stopping to truly consider the long-term implications. Buying a franchise can certainly have benefits, but these benefits come with risks as well. We examine both sides of the issue in: Why Buy a Franchise? 2. Big or Small (and Does It Matter)? Are you considering a national brand, or […]

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6 Important Deadlines in Your Franchise Agreement

Aug 17, 2017 - Blog by |

As a franchisee, you are subject to a host of obligations. Many of these obligations are also subject to strict deadlines, and franchisees can face significant consequences (including possible termination) if they fail to meet their obligations within the timelines their franchisors prescribe. While all franchise agreements are unique (and franchisees should seek legal advice tailored to the unique provisions of their signed contracts), the following are six common deadlines that apply to franchisees: 1. Commence Operations Franchise agreements will commonly include provisions that require franchisees to commence operations within a specified period of time. Take too long to get up and running, and you may find that your franchise rights are already in jeopardy. While these provisions are theoretically designed to protect franchisors in the event that a franchisee locks in an exclusive territory and then decides to delay opening for business, they are ripe for abuse – especially if a more-attractive franchise candidate comes along. 2. Pay Royalties and Marketing Fund Fees Royalty and marketing fund fees are due monthly in most cases, and many franchisors require their franchisees to establish connectively for automated electronic payments. But, if you are actively submitting payment each month, or if your cash flow is such that your account balance may be too low when your fees are due, you need to make sure you know when you need to pay in order to avoid default (and possible termination). 3. Provide Notice of Intent to Renew Franchise renewal provisions can be inordinately […]

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Automated Pizza Dispensers? When Franchisors Require Franchisees to Adopt New Technologies

Aug 15, 2017 - Blog by |

As reported in a recent article on franchise news site BlueMauMau.org, pizza franchise Little Caesars is launching a pilot program that it plans to roll out to franchised locations nationwide in 2018. The program includes a new app ordering process and in-store “Pizza Portals.” Once a customer places an order through the app, “[t]he app will notify the customer when the order is ready . . . they skip the line and go directly to the Pizza Portal and punch in a 3-digit pin or scan a QR code. Then the door on the customer’s secured compartment opens and they take their hot, fresh order.” According to the franchisor’s president and CEO, “We changed the pizza game when we introduced HOT-N-READY. We think RESERVE-N-READY featuring our breakthrough Pizza Portal has the potential to do it again.” When Are Franchisees Required to Adopt New Technologies? While Little Caesars franchisees are likely already contributing to the cost to update the Little Caesars app through their royalties (and potentially other fees as well), when it comes to installing the Pizza Portals in their stores, franchisees are likely to bear the full financial burden. Franchise agreements commonly include provisions requiring franchisees to adopt system-wide changes at their own expense, and this includes adopting new technologies. Although some franchisees will find success negotiating limited requirements to update, uniformity is a hallmark of the franchise model, and franchisors typically prefer to reserve broad rights to impose their will on their franchisees. What are the Risks of […]

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Franchisee Bill of Rights Doesn’t Ensure Franchisor Competency

Aug 3, 2017 - Franchise Articles by |

Franchisee Bill of Rights Doesn’t Ensure Franchisor Competency By: Jeffrey M. Goldstein A recent suit in the United States District Court for the Western District of New York resulted in the denial of a franchisee’s motion for a preliminary injunction to prevent the franchisor from requiring the franchisee to install a new computer system. JDS Grp. Ltd. v. Metal Supermarkets Franchising Am., Inc., No. 17-CV-6293 (MAT), 2017 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 94779 (W.D.N.Y. 2017). In JDS, the franchisee JDS brought a suit against its franchisor Metal Supermarkets Franchising America (MSFA) for violation of the Washington State Franchise Investment Protection Act (FIPA), which includes a Franchisee Bill of Rights, as well as for breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. The facts as found by the Court include the following. JDS owned two retail stores that sold metal components used in various industries. The stores were in Kent, Washington, and Portland, Oregon. JDS had been a franchisee of MSFA for approximately ten years. JDS used a software system called “Metal Magic,” that was provided by MSFA. In 2012, MSFA determined that Metal Magic was outdated, inefficient, and unable to accommodate anticipated growth and functionality changes. As a result, MSFA undertook development of a new, modern software system, called “MetalTech,” which cost over $1,000,000 and took three years to develop. In 2015, MSFA began installing MetalTech at its franchisee locations. JDS did not want to use MetalTech in its stores, but instead wanted to keep using Metal Magic. Plaintiff […]

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