A recent article in the Franchise Times discusses the rising costs of opening and operating a franchise. According to the article, “[d]evelopment and buildout costs across the board have increased, and it’s led a majority of franchisors to bump what’s financially needed for a franchisee.” As the article goes on to explain, in a recent survey, “93.9 percent of franchisors indicated inflation has forced them to increase cost estimates in . . . Item 7[ of their Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD)].”

Read More

Laws in various states prohibit franchisors from engaging in unfair franchise practices and entitle franchisees to seek remedies when their franchisors violate the law. This raises two critical questions: What constitutes an “unfair franchise practice,” and what can (and should) you do if you are a victim? National franchisee attorney Jeffrey M. Goldstein explains:

Read More

According to the International Franchise Association (IFA), the health and wellness industry has been growing at a rate of 5 to 10 percent annually and was valued at $480 billion as of 2024. Does this mean that it’s time to buy a health and wellness franchise in 2025? National franchise attorney Jeffrey M. Goldstein shares his thoughts:

Read More

The International Franchise Association (IFA) recently released the results of its 2024 Annual Franchisee Survey. In this article, national franchise lawyer Jeffrey M. Goldstein shares his thoughts on the IFA’s latest data.

Read More

The International Franchise Association (IFA) recently released its Franchising Economic Outlook for 2025. The Franchising Economic Outlook is an annual report that looks at historical data and provides forecasts and projections for the year ahead based on “quantitative and qualitative information relevant to franchising in the United States.” Here are some key insights and takeaways from the 2025 report from national franchise attorney Jeffrey M. Goldstein.

Read More

With more businesses turning to franchising to grow their brands, there are now numerous franchise opportunities at all price points. While you can invest millions of dollars in a brick-and-mortar restaurant or state-of-the-art gym, you can also buy a home-based franchise for well under six figures. But, is buying a budget-friendly franchise worth it? Do you get what you pay for? Franchise attorney Jeffrey M. Goldstein shares his thoughts.

Read More

Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports—and potentially the fastest-growing sport—in the United States. According to a report the Sports Business Journal published last year, “In terms of overall growth, 13.6 million people played pickleball in 2023, which contributed to a survey-leading 223.5% growth rate over the past three years.” As pickleball continues to grow in popularity, pickleball franchises are popping up with increasing frequency as well. What do you need to know about buying a pickleball franchise? New York franchise attorney Jeffrey M. Goldstein explains.

Read More

A bill pending in the U.S. House of Representatives would give franchisees the right to sue their franchisors under the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Franchise rule. While similar legislative efforts have failed in the past, this is a potentially significant development that franchisees should monitor in 2025. Find out more from national franchise lawyer Jeffrey M. Goldstein.

Read More

For many current and prospective franchisees, the goal is not just to buy and operate a single outlet. Instead, the goal is to buy multiple franchises that will be operated by managers while the owner focuses on investing, reinvesting and ultimately building a much larger franchise portfolio. While this approach can prove very profitable, there are a number of inherent risks involved, and this makes it critical to work closely with an experienced franchisee lawyer who can help ensure that you are making informed decisions.

Read More

When living through uncertain economic times, everyone needs to do their best to make informed decisions based on the limited information they have available. But, this is especially important for prospective franchisees. Buying a franchise is a long-term investment, and if people can’t afford to buy what you have to sell, no amount of money or time will be enough to save your business. As a franchisee lawyer with well over 30 years of experience, this is a fact that Jeffrey M. Goldstein knows all too well.

Read More