Franchise Times Releases Its “Top 400” List for 2025
Oct 24, 2025 - Blog by Goldstein Law Firm |The Franchise Times recently released its “Top 400” list for 2025. As the publication explains, the list reflects “the biggest franchise brands by global systemwide sales.” But the list provides some other notable insights into the current state of the franchise industry as well. National franchise lawyer Jeffrey M. Goldstein shares his thoughts:
What is the “American Franchise Act?”
Oct 17, 2025 - Blog by Goldstein Law Firm |A bill titled the “American Franchise Act” is currently pending before the U.S. House of Representatives. Introduced by a bipartisan group of legislators, the bill is intended “[t]o preserve the franchise business model” by codifying the joint employer standard established by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in 2020. Learn more from national franchisee lawyer Jeffrey M. Goldstein:
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has Reinstated its Franchise Directory
Sep 30, 2025 - Blog by Goldstein Law Firm |The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) reinstated its Franchise Directory earlier this year. Its decision to discontinue the Franchise Directory in 2023 as part of a broader effort to streamline its lending programs was largely decried within the franchise industry, with the International Franchise Association (IFA) noting at the time that about 20 percent of all SBA loans go to franchisees, and that franchising had played a significant role in the United States’ post-pandemic economic recovery. Now that the SBA Franchise Directory is back, what do you need to know? National franchise attorney Jeffrey M. Goldstein explains.
4 More Reasons Why All Prospective Franchisees Need a Franchise Business Review
Sep 23, 2025 - Blog by Goldstein Law Firm |Hiring an experienced franchise lawyer to conduct a franchise business review gives you an opportunity to ensure that you are making an informed decision about your investment. While you certainly aren’t required to hire a franchise lawyer to review your franchise opportunity, there are several important reasons to do so.
What Does it Mean if Your State Doesn’t Have a Franchise Law?
Sep 16, 2025 - Blog by Goldstein Law Firm |While several states have franchise laws, many do not. If you live in a state that doesn’t have a franchise law, what does this mean for you? National franchisee lawyer Jeffrey M. Goldstein explains.
What Should Your Franchisor Do for Your Franchise (and What If It Doesn’t)?
Aug 29, 2025 - Blog by Goldstein Law Firm |As a franchisee, you have the right to expect your franchisor to comply with the terms of your franchise agreement. You also have the right to expect your franchisor to comply with applicable law. But what does this mean, exactly? National franchisee attorney Jeffrey M. Goldstein explains.
What Are the Most Common Reasons for Pursuing Franchise Arbitration?
Aug 22, 2025 - Blog by Goldstein Law Firm |For franchisees, holding franchisors accountable often means pursuing franchise arbitration. The substantial majority of franchise agreements include mandatory alternative dispute resolution (ADR) provisions, and most of these require franchisees to pursue arbitration rather than going to court. For franchisees who are considering legal action against their franchisors, consulting with an experienced franchise lawyer is generally the first step toward determining whether arbitration is warranted.
New House Bill Seeks to Make “Joint Employer” Standard Federal Law
Aug 15, 2025 - Blog by Goldstein Law Firm |The “joint employer” standard has been a hot topic in the franchising world for nearly a decade. This standard is used to determine when multiple entities can be considered employers of a single employee, with the primary purpose of establishing the employee’s right to pursue remedies for discrimination, harassment, workplace injuries, and other forms of harm. Franchise attorney Jeffrey M. Goldstein has written about this topic in the past—first when the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued the Browning-Ferris decision that expanded the federal definition of “joint employer” in 2015, and more recently when the House introduced the failed Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act in 2020.
What if Your Costs Are Higher Than Expected As a Franchisee?
Jul 31, 2025 - Blog by Goldstein Law Firm |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)].”
What Constitutes an “Unfair Franchise Practice”—and What if You’re a Victim?
Jul 24, 2025 - Blog by Goldstein Law Firm |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:
