2025's Top Franchise Legal Players: Marisa Faunce - Plave Koch

Legal Player: Marisa Faunce
Firm: Plave Koch PLC

Marisa Faunce’s journey into franchise law started with a simple conversation that changed her career path. Early in her legal career, she rotated through various practice areas while searching for the right fit. During a mentoring session, she was told that lawyers do their best work when they are passionate about their practice. When asked what she enjoyed in her free time, Faunce quickly answered that she loved traveling and trying new restaurants. That offhand response pointed her toward franchising. She began handling litigation for franchisors before transitioning into franchise regulatory and transactional work. Today, as a partner at Plave Koch PLC, Faunce has built a career around her passion for the franchise business model — and she still enjoys spending her free time at franchised hotels and restaurants.

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

1851 Franchise: How did you fall into franchising?

Marisa Faunce: I started my career working in various practice areas in my law firm as I tried to find my “home.” When I met with the firm’s associate development mentor to talk about my career path, he mentioned that attorneys excel when they are passionate about their work. He asked me what I enjoyed doing in my free time and I quickly responded that I loved traveling and trying new restaurants. I had no idea how much that quick answer would change the trajectory of my career!

I started working on litigation matters for franchisors and later transitioned to working on franchise regulatory and transactional matters. I absolutely love the work that I do and am incredibly passionate about the franchise business model. (And I still enjoy spending my free time at franchised hotels and restaurants!)

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

Faunce: Franchisors need to invest in their operations teams — especially their franchise business consultants. These individuals are the franchisor’s eyes and ears and they are typically the first to learn of issues that are festering within the franchise community. If they have a clear channel to share knowledge and escalate matters to the leadership team, then many issues can be addressed early to avoid legal and compliance issues that ultimately impact consumer perception of the brand.

1851: How important is the information in Item 19?

Faunce: I can’t imagine purchasing a franchise without having access to financial performance data. This is the most critical piece of the franchise sales journey. I encourage franchisors to take a deep dive into their data and use a variety of tables to give their candidates the insight they need to make an informed decision.

It’s also important to look back at questions that candidates ask over the course of the year to see if you can add additional data to Item 19 to enable the development team to engage in these important conversations. It’s incredibly awkward to have to say that you know the answer to a question, but you can’t share it because it is not included in Item 19. Try to start this process early before FDD renewal season to make Item 19 as robust as possible.

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

Faunce: I think the single largest legal mistake that brands make is not providing franchise compliance training for their teams on an annual basis. So many issues can be avoided if the team has a basic level of knowledge about the franchise laws and regulations. A few hours can save thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours dealing with the fallout of a legal violation.

1851: How does Plave Koch stand out as a franchise law firm?

Faunce: Plave Koch is a small franchise law boutique firm packed with experienced franchise attorneys who value our client relationships above everything else. We eat a lot of chocolate and try to have as much fun as possible along the way — our tag line is “Franchise Law with Zing” for a reason! Stop by and visit us if you are ever in the DC area.

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

Faunce: Get out of “Big Law” and join Plave Koch!

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.