Franchise attorney Jeffrey M. Goldstein, founder of Goldstein Law Firm, has once again been named to the Franchise Times’ list of U.S. Legal Eagles. Published annually, the U.S. Legal Eagles list highlights the nation’s “top franchise attorneys,” as selected through the publication’s formal nomination process.

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While it is becoming increasingly common to use ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, and other artificial intelligence (AI) platforms to conduct research rather than searching online, this approach poses several risks. This is especially true for prospective franchisees. As a prospective franchisee, it is critical to do your due diligence, and there are multiple issues with AI that make it unfit for this purpose. Keep reading to learn more from franchisee lawyer Jeffrey M. Goldstein.

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Most franchise agreements include provisions requiring franchisees to pursue mediation or arbitration (or both) rather than taking their franchisors to court. As a franchisee, understanding your legal options is important. So, if you need to hold your franchisor accountable, what do you need to know? Here are some key insights from national franchise lawyer Jeffrey M. Goldstein.

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The International Franchise Association (IFA) recently published a report titled, The Value of Franchising. As the IFA explains, the report reflects the results of a survey of nearly 3,000 franchisees as well as an “economic analysis comparing franchises with non-franchise businesses” conducted by Oxford Economics. Here, national franchisee attorney Jeffrey M. Goldstein shares his thoughts on the report’s conclusions.

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The Franchise Times recently released its list of the “10 Top Brands to Buy” in 2026 as part of its annual Zor Awards. Several publications release these types of lists, and, as a prospective franchisee, it is important to make informed decisions about how much weight, if any, to give to a franchisor’s inclusion on (or exclusion from) any particular list of the “top” or “best” franchise brands. Keep reading for some important insights from national franchise attorney Jeffrey M. Goldstein.

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Experiential franchises have seen a surge in popularity in recent years. With many brands benefiting from a post-pandemic rebound and a growing desire to find ways to engage “IRL” that do not involve screen time, several franchises in this sector have reported strong sales and are actively recruiting new franchisees. Does this mean that now is a good time to buy? Here are some key considerations from national franchise lawyer Jeffrey M. Goldstein.

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With artificial intelligence (AI) continuing to gain mainstream acceptance, franchisors are now using AI in various ways. In many cases, they require their franchisees to use AI as well. If your franchisor wants you to use AI, what do you need to know? National franchisee lawyer Jeffrey M. Goldstein explains.

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As we do every year, we are seeing several new franchise concepts vying for prospective franchisees’ attention in 2026. These include social gaming and boutique fitness franchises, among others. If you are thinking about buying a franchise, should you consider a new concept in one of these trending industries? Here are some key considerations from national franchise lawyer Jeffrey M. Goldstein.

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The International Franchise Association (IFA) recently published its 2025 year-in-review. Titled, “2025: A Year That Redefined the Future of Franchising,” the report takes a (mostly) month-by-month look back at some of the IFA’s most notable activities over the past year. Here, franchise attorney Jeffrey M. Goldstein shares some of his thoughts on the IFA’s report, as well as some additional insights on the year that was.

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Most franchise agreements last two or three years before they expire. This is not a long time. In fact, for many franchisees, it is nowhere near enough time to build a business that allows them to recoup their initial investment—much less turn a profit. As a result, renewals can be essential, and franchisees whose agreements are up for renewal must ensure they make informed decisions focused on the future. Learn more from national franchise attorney Jeffrey M. Goldstein.

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