Franchise Articles

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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The Franchise Times recently released its “Fast & Serious” list for 2026. According to the publication, this list ranks the “fast-growing franchise systems that also have staying power, as an antidote to multiple other rankings that include too many one-year wonders.” Here are some insights on the list from national franchise lawyer Jeffrey M. Goldstein.

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Introduction The majority opinion in Davis v. Bimbo Foods Bakeries Distribution, LLC, No. 24-2264, 2026 U.S. App. LEXIS 439 (4th Cir. Jan. 8, 2026) held that an automated grocery fulfillment center could be considered a “retail store” under the relevant contract, finding ambiguity in the term and relying on extrinsic evidence to interpret its meaning. The district court’s approach, which was affirmed by the majority, involved looking beyond the plain meaning of “retail store” and considering trade usage and the specific context of the distribution agreement. The majority rejected the argument that only facilities primarily selling merchandise directly to ultimate consumers qualify as retail stores, instead adopting a broader interpretation that could encompass automated fulfillment centers. The dissent in Davis v. Bimbo Foods Bakeries Distrib., LLC argued that an automated grocery fulfillment center does not qualify as a “retail store” under the plain meaning of the term, as it does not primarily sell merchandise to ultimate consumers but instead functions mainly as a warehouse for storing and shipping products. The dissent criticized the district court for finding the term “retail store” ambiguous and relying on extrinsic evidence, rather than applying its ordinary dictionary definition as required by Pennsylvania law. It was concluded that the fulfillment center should not be considered a retail store, and thus the district court’s judgment should be reversed. In the end, as discussed below, parol evidence gave the court a complete picture of how the relevant terms functioned in practice. It allowed the judge to interpret […]

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Last October, we published an article discussing the introduction of the American Franchise Act in the U.S. House of Representatives. As we said then, the bill seeks to codify the joint employer standard established by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in 2020, which prevents franchisors from being classified as co-employers of franchisees’ workers in the vast majority of circumstances. So, where does the American Franchise Act stand in 2026? National franchisee attorney Jeffrey M. Goldstein explains.

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