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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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A recent article in the Franchise Times discusses the “gold rush” to get in on the pickleball craze. It cites figures from FranData that show an 85.7 percent year-over-year increase in pickleball players and notes that while “[t]he race to the top in the rapidly growing pickleball space heated up in 2024 for franchisors looking to capitalize on the country’s fastest-growing participation sport. . . . [p]ickelball franchisors and their financial backers agree there is plenty of space in the industry for everyone to grow and prosper even as they compete for prime real estate locations and franchisees work to draw players to their courts.”

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With a new year just around the corner, now is a time when many people are thinking about making some significant changes in their lives. For some, this means considering a franchise opportunity. If you are thinking about buying a franchise in 2025, what do you need to know? Keep reading to learn about some key legal, financial, and practical considerations from New York franchise lawyer Jeffrey M. Goldstein.

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If you recently attended a franchise show and are thinking about buying a franchise, there is a lot you need to know. Buying a franchise is a major investment; and, while franchise ownership presents many opportunities, there is also a lot that can go wrong. Before you sign a franchise agreement, be sure to follow these 10 tips from national franchisee attorney Jeffrey M. Goldstein.

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As a franchisee, there is a good chance that you are required to resolve any disputes with your franchisor through alternative dispute resolution (ADR)—either mediation or arbitration. Franchisors like mandatory ADR clauses for a variety of reasons, and they tend to favor mandatory arbitration clauses in particular. Arbitrating a dispute with your franchisor requires experienced legal representation; and, if you are facing a dispute with your franchisor in Massachusetts, you will want to speak with a Boston franchise attorney as soon as possible.

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