1851

<ul><li>Honoree:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-b-schnell/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=brian-schnell-franchise-legal-faegre-drinker-biddle-reath-llp-2726853" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Brian Schnell</a></li><li>Role:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.faegredrinker.com/en/professionals/s/schnell-brian-b?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=brian-schnell-franchise-legal-faegre-drinker-biddle-reath-llp-2726853#tab-Overview" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Partner and Chair of Franchise Practice at Faegre Drinker Biddle &amp; Reath LLP</a></li></ul>Brian Schnell is a seasoned franchise attorney with over 30 years of experience, representing franchisors across the U.S. and internationally. As the leader of Faegre Drinker Biddle &amp; Reath’s franchise and distribution practice, he provides practical and creative solutions to both emerging and mature franchisors. His unique background includes serving as chief operating officer and chief legal officer for a major health care franchisor, where he led field operations and franchise administration. He is also the only franchise lawyer who has ever chaired the Franchise Relations Committee of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.franchise.org/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=brian-schnell-franchise-legal-faegre-drinker-biddle-reath-llp-2726853" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">International Franchise Association (IFA)</a>.&nbsp;Schnell's expertise spans structuring domestic and international franchise programs, guiding franchise mergers and acquisitions and ensuring compliance with franchise sales and financial performance regulations. He also specializes in supply chain management, trademark and brand protection, and resolving system standards compliance issues. His deep industry knowledge and commitment to understanding clients' businesses and objectives make him a trusted advisor in the franchising world.1851 Franchise reached out to Schnell to learn about how franchisors can protect their brand and avoid legal mistakes. Check out his insights below.1851 Franchise: What do you see as the most important things franchisors should do to protect their brand?&nbsp;Brian Schnell: In order to build, sustain and protect the franchisor’s brand, a franchisor should:<ol><li>Instill in all its stakeholders an undying devotion to the brand. This means determining what the brand stands for and then delivering on that brand promise.</li><li>Obsess over unit level economics and franchisee profitability.</li><li>Empower franchisees through a culture of collaboration. Franchisees are more interested in having a voice/being heard than having a vote, but a franchisor should not give up its decision-making authority.</li><li>Balance the interests of the franchisor, franchisee and system as a whole (which includes having a strong franchise agreement that allows a franchisor to absolutely protect its brand against any free-riding franchisee).</li></ol>1851: How important is the information in Item 19 of the Franchise Disclosure Document?&nbsp;Schnell:&nbsp;Item 19 can be very important, depending on the information a franchisor discloses and how a prospective franchisee uses the information disclosed.&nbsp; An Item 19 financial performance representation (FPR) with average gross sales (or some similar variation) only is of little use. On the other hand, a carefully prepared and vetted Item 19 FPR that has some level of revenue and key expenses or other system specific key performance indicators (KPIs) broken out by quartiles or high/medium/low thirds can be extremely valuable for the franchisor and its franchise development efforts and a franchisee in its due diligence (ideally with a franchisee’s key advisors).1851: What is the single largest legal mistake brands make?&nbsp;Schnell:&nbsp;Not fully understanding how to effectively design, implement and communicate system change. Too many franchisors (especially emerging franchisors) primarily rely on the franchise agreement that gives them the right to unilaterally make system change and requires the franchisee to make the change (often regardless of cost and frequency), rather than strategically considering options, relying on data and getting franchisee input — franchisees want to be heard — and then knowing how to effectively communicate change.1851: How do you stand out as a franchise law firm?&nbsp;Schnell: Faegre Drinker is one of the very few franchise law firms that not only understands all the legal issues a franchisor will face, but also keenly understands the franchise business model, the complex nuances of the franchise relationship and what it fully takes to create, build, evolve and protect a successful and sustainable franchise system. One example of that focus is that I am the only franchise lawyer who has chaired IFA’s Franchise Relations Committee.1851: What is the best business advice you have received in your career?Schnell:&nbsp;Ask questions, listen and seek to understand a client’s desired outcome and then be a key part of the client team to achieve the desired outcome effectively and efficiently.Every great franchisee had help buying a franchise. Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisees find the right franchise opportunity? Visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.1851growthclub.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=brian-schnell-franchise-legal-faegre-drinker-biddle-reath-llp-2726853" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.1851growthclub.com</a> and start your journey.

Brian Schnell - Franchise Lega - Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

Top Franchise Legal Player: Brian Schnell of Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

1851 Franchise

1851 Franchise’s annual showcase of the top players in the franchise industry is back. Meet Brian Schnell and hear his insights on legal issues in the franchise space.

Top Franchise Legal Players: Brian Schnell, Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

brian-schnell-franchise-legal-faegre-drinker-biddle-reath-llp

The Cleaning Authority

Why This Corporate McDonald’s Rep Decided To Open His Own Franchise With The Cleaning Authority

cleaning-authority/kent-lewis-franchise-success

KidStrong Franchising, LLC

KidStrong Wraps Up Q3 With First Manhattan Location, 45 New Franchises and Record-High Attendance

kidstrong-q3-growth-2025

Woodhouse Spas

Photo of front lobby area of Woodhouse Spa

Why Woodhouse Has No True Competitor in the Spa Franchise Space

luxury-spa-franchise

Right at Home

Right at Home Expanding In-Home Care Services in Wausau, Wisconsin 

right-at-home-expanding-in-home-care-services-in-wausau-wisconsin

The Growth Coach

Top 5 Reasons To Invest in The Growth Coach Franchise

top-5-reasons-to-invest-in-the-growth-coach-franchise

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Slim Chickens Opens R&D Center at World Headquarters To Drive Menu Innovation

slim-chickens-rd-center-fayetteville

Nearly 40% of Americans Are Eating Out Less as High Prices Redefine Dining Habits

nearly-40-of-americans-are-eating-out-less-as-high-prices-redefine-dining-habits

Authority Brands Enters Q4 with Record Momentum

Authority Brands Enters Q4 with Record Momentum, Surpassing 200 New Franchise Owners in the First 10 Months of 2025

authority-brands-enters-q4-with-record-momentum-surpassing-200-new-franchise-owners-in-the-first-10-months-of-2025

Franchises, work-life balance, millennials in franchising, millennials work-life balance

The Best Franchises for Millennials Wanting Work-Life Balance

best-franchises-millennials-work-life-balance

Photo of Papa Murphy's Take 'N' Bake Pizza franchisee Lily Wilford

Entrepreneur: This 18-Year-Old Saved Babysitting Money for College — Then Decided to Buy a Business Instead

18-year-old-franchise-owner-lily-wilford

A Practical Playbook: Who To Call First When Franchising Your Business

franchising-your-business-who-to-call-first

image  of Happinest franchise collection and all their brands that work together. 

The Happinest Advantage: A Marketing Partner Invested in Your Bottom Line

happinest-franchise-marketing-strategy

Coffee & analytics image with photo of Nick Powills

Athletes And Franchising: Why the Connection Runs Deep

athletes-in-franchising

The Shift From Founder to Franchisor: Building a Team, Culture and System That Scale

the-shift-from-founder-to-franchisor-building-a-team-culture-and-system-that-scale

image of jerome hanway from right at home Las Cruces, New Mexico 1851 franchise franchisee spotlight

Jerome Hanway Is Building His Right at Home Franchise Around His Mission To Serve

right-at-home-franchise-las-cruces-jerome-hanway

Photo of group of dogs standing together in day care facility

Top Pet Boarding and Day Care Franchise Opportunities for 2025

top-pet-boarding-daycare-franchises

NJCAR v. Ford - New Jersey Supreme Court Limits Standing Under Franchise Practices Act

New Jersey Supreme Court Limits Standing Under Franchise Practices Act

new-jersey-franchise-practices-act-njcar-v-ford

image of michael panos and michel panos, owners of mellow mushroom in Atlanta

The Panos Family’s Role in Preserving Mellow Mushroom’s Character — and Expanding in Atlanta

mellow-mushroom-franchise-panos-restaurant-group-metro-atlanta

image of franchise deep dive from 1851 franchise on doody calls franchise authority brands

DoodyCalls Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

doodycalls-franchise-deep-dive

Top Franchise Legal Players: Brian Schnell, Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS