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Tom SpadeaFranchise Lawyer<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-spadea-a696256/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-influencers-tom-spadea-franchise-lawyer-spadea-lignana-2721532" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-spadea-a696256/</a>Tom Spadea is perhaps the only franchise lawyer that can say he paid for law school at night by selling franchises during the day. This intimate understanding of the franchise industry has enabled Tom to build his legal practice around the true needs of entrepreneurs in franchising. Spadea Lignana today represents over 300 franchisors nationally ranging from emerging concepts just entering the franchise game to nationally recognized brands. Tom spent more than 15 years in corporate and entrepreneurial positions before completing law school at Temple University’s Beasley School of Law in 2010. His undergraduate degree is in finance from Marquette University, where he graduated Cum Laude. Tom is a Certified Franchise Executive (CFE), a non-legal designation earned from the International Franchise Association. Tom and his firm have consistently been ranked at or near the top of all major industry lists and publications, winning multiple awards and recognition year after year as elite franchise lawyers. Tom co-founded Spadea Lignana in 2011 with his best friend from high school Josh Lignana to focus on helping entrepreneurs build generational wealth through franchising. Tom's journey in the franchising world began in the early 2000's as a Franchise and Business Broker. He acted as an adviser to clients looking to transition into the ownership of a franchise or the purchase or sale of an existing small business. Tom handled dozens of transactions every year, ranging from listing businesses for sale to recruiting franchise buyers. It was while Tom was a broker that he decided to pursue his legal education. Balancing law school and a young family, Tom also managed to hold senior executive positions for multiple national franchise concepts throughout law school, including a 100-plus unit fast casual restaurant chain, a franchised chain of over 400 supplemental education centers and a 500-unit retail chain of franchised frozen dessert restaurants.<a href="https://www.spadealaw.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-influencers-tom-spadea-franchise-lawyer-spadea-lignana-2721532" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">About Spadea Lignana</a>: Spadea Lignana is an elite franchise law firm with decades of experience serving hundreds of franchisor clients nationwide. The firm’s primary focus is providing real world solutions with a constant consideration for a return on investment for each legal dollar spent. The firm takes a long-term approach with their legal advice, trying to help clients build a franchise system that will create generational wealth for their owners. Most of the attorneys have worked directly in franchising as executives of national brands and some as franchisees themselves. This omnichannel vision and unique perspective enables the firm to provide grounded, practical and relevant legal advice. Spadea Lignana has pioneered unlimited legal work via flat monthly pricing for franchisors instead of hourly billing. This CORE program takes care of most of the transactional legal needs of being a franchisor, such as updating their Franchise Disclosure Document, state registrations, franchise and multi-unit agreements, and much more. The firm has a shared goal with their clients, helping them win the franchise game.

Franchise Influencers: Tom Spadea, Franchise lawyer for Spadea Lignana 

Tom Spadea | Franchise Influencers | 1851 Franchise

1851 Franchise

As part of our annual Influencer Issue, 1851 Franchise has enlisted the help of the franchise community to compile a list of the top people making moves in the franchise industry. 


Franchise Influencers: Tom Spadea, Franchise Lawyer, Spadea Lignana 

franchise-influencers-tom-spadea-franchise-lawyer-spadea-lignana

DRYmedic Restoration

image of David Sims DRYmedic Franchise Owner in Charleston, South Carolina

How a 25-Year IT Veteran Found New Purpose as a DRYmedic Franchise Owner in Charleston, South Carolina

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Right at Home

Right at Home franchise, senior care franchise, in home senior care

Right at Home Senior Care Franchise Expands In-Home Services Across St. Louis

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Homewatch CareGivers

How Zahra Humecki Found a New Career As A Multi-Brand Franchisee Via Homewatch CareGivers and The Cleaning Authority

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Mellow Mushroom

Chatham Star-Tribune: Local Operators to Bring Mellow Mushroom to Danville in 2026

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HomeTeam Inspection Service

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HomeTeam Inspection Service Closes 2025 With 10% Revenue Growth, Poised for Stable Winter and Busy Spring

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California Pizza Kitchen’s Sale Is the Latest in the Era of PE-Backed Turnarounds in Franchising

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Buying a fitness franchise, people exercising

Boutique vs. Big Box Gym Franchises: Which Offers Best ROI in the $7 Billion Fitness Market?

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Pieology Pizza Enters Chapter 11 Following Costly Bid To Save Struggling Stores

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CNBC: McDonald’s Will Assess if Franchisees Are Offering Value for Customers Under New Standards

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How AI Is Transforming Restaurant Operations and Franchises

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

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Meet the Supplier - The Franchising Company - 1851 Franchise

The Franchising Company: Helping Aspiring Business Owners Take the Guesswork out of Franchising

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Scaling by Slowing Down: A Founder’s Playbook for Sustainable Franchise Growth

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How Top-Tier Franchises Build Systems for Employee Retention

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Top Pet Boarding and Day Care Franchise Opportunities for 2025

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Do You Qualify? A Look at the Chick-fil-A Franchise Requirements

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The Top 15 Pet Wellness and Vet Care Franchises for 2025

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The Top 15 Pet Supplies and Retail Franchises for 2025

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The 15 Top Pet Grooming Franchises To Consider for 2025

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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

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Franchise Influencers: Tom Spadea, Franchise Lawyer, Spadea Lignana

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