On April 23, 2024, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that it is “banning noncompetes” in the United States. In its announcement, the FTC quotes Chair Lina M. Khan as saying, “The FTC’s final rule to ban noncompetes will ensure Americans have the freedom to pursue a new job, start a new business, or bring a new idea to market.” While this may initially sound like good news for franchisees, the FTC’s “ban” on noncompetes isn’t as broad as it seems—as national franchise attorney Jeffrey M. Goldstein explains.

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As franchising continues to grow in popularity around the world, foreign brands are increasingly seeking to franchise in the United States. If you are thinking about investing in a foreign franchise brand, there is a lot you need to know. Along with all of the considerations involved with buying a franchise generally, there are some unique considerations involved as well. International franchise attorney Jeffrey M. Goldstein explains.

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The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently published an article with five “myths” about franchise ownership. As we discussed in a previous post, two of these “myths” weren’t myths at all, but rather reflected fundamental aspects of the franchisor-franchisee relationship. As a franchise lawyer, it is disappointing to see the FTC get it so wrong—especially in an article that is intended as a free resource for prospective franchisees.

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When you are thinking about buying a franchise, it is critical to make sure you are making informed decisions. While you can find lots of useful information online, you need to be careful to ensure you are not relying on inaccurate information that will compromise your decision-making. Reading blog articles from a reputable franchisee law firm is a good option, and looking at government resources is a good option as well.

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Franchise attorney Jeffrey M. Goldstein, founder of Goldstein Law Firm, PLLC, will speak at the Franchise Times Legal Eagles Virtual Summit on April 10, 2024. The Virtual Summit takes place from 11:00am EST to 4:00pm EST.

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The pet industry is booming. As recently stated in an industry report on Franchise Direct, “People LOVE their pets—and they’re spending the money to prove it.” But does this mean that you should buy a pet franchise in 2024? Here are some key considerations from franchisee attorney Jeffrey M. Goldstein.

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When choosing a franchise to buy, there are numerous important factors to consider. What type of business are you passionate about owning? What type of business is missing in your local area? What is the total initial investment? Can you expect to recoup your investment during the initial term of the franchise agreement? This is just a small sampling of the type of questions you will need to answer—in many cases, with the help of an experienced Massachusetts franchise lawyer.

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As a franchisee, it’s important to know when it’s time to take legal action. While pursuing mediation or arbitration might be the last thing you want to do, when filing a claim is your best option, you need to be willing to do what is necessary to protect your investment. So, when should you file for mediation or arbitration against your franchisor? Find out from franchisee lawyer Jeffrey M. Goldstein.

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Buying a franchise is a multi-step process that requires careful planning, foresight and informed decision-making. While a franchise can be a good investment, there are no guarantees, and starting out on the wrong foot can make it much more difficult to build a successful and sustainable business. In this article, New York franchise lawyer Jeffrey M. Goldstein provides an overview of the franchise buying process.

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Disputes between franchisors and their franchisees can involve a wide range of issues. As a franchisee, it is important to be aware of these issues so that you know when legal action may be necessary to protect your franchise. When these issues arise, informed decision-making is critical, and this makes it important to speak with an experienced franchise attorney as soon as possible.

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