2025's Top Franchise Legal Players: Christian Thompson - The Franchise & Business Law Group

Legal Player: Christian Thompson
Firm: The Franchise & Business Law Group, LLC

Christian Thompson has franchising in his DNA. Growing up with a father who was a franchise attorney, Thompson was immersed in the world of franchising early on. That foundation shaped his career path, giving him the opportunity to work side-by-side with his dad for more than a decade. Today, at The Franchise & Business Law Group, LLC, Thompson brings that legacy forward by guiding franchisors through complex legal landscapes with practical, solution-oriented advice.

1851 Franchise reached out to Thompson to learn how franchisors can protect their brand and avoid legal mistakes. Check out his insights below.

1851 Franchise: How did you fall into franchising?

Christian Thompson: I grew up around franchising because my dad was a franchise attorney. I got to work with my dad for about 11 years, so it was very helpful to be mentored by him.

1851: What do you see as the most important things franchisors should do to protect their brand?

Thompson: Obtaining a registered trademark. Having an efficient and effective way for franchisees to learn and follow the system through the operations manual, training videos, etc. Screening candidates, so that the franchisor only brings those franchisees into the system, who want to follow the system and uphold brand standards.

1851: How important is the information in Item 19?

Thompson: Item 19 is what most prospective franchisees look at when deciding whether to purchase a franchise. Franchisees tend to put the most weight on Item 19, so franchisors should do the same.

1851: What is the single largest legal mistake brands make?

Thompson: The most common mistakes I see are:

• Not preparing an FDD because the franchisor is trying to avoid franchise laws by just selling a “license.”
• Selling in a state where the franchisor was not registered.
• Allowing the franchise agreement to lapse without having the franchisee sign the current franchise agreement to renew the franchise.

1851: How do you stand out as a franchise law firm?

Thompson: We specialize in franchising. Our firm is called the Franchise & Business Law Group, and we strive to provide our clients with all the legal resources they need to succeed in franchising. We also integrate specific software to help our franchisors know where they can sell franchises and to keep them on track to get their renewals completed on time.

1851: What is the best business advice you have received in your career?

Thompson: Give clients solutions to their problems. Clients come to us for solutions. They can pay anyone to tell them no, but our job is to provide them with alternative solutions if their initial plans do not align with good legal outcomes.

1851 Franchise’s Supplier Database connects franchisors and franchisees with top legal experts. If you need guidance on agreements, compliance or disputes, click here for more information.