Growing a Franchise
Franchise Legal Player Awards | Q&A with Elizabeth Sigety
1851 Interviews the Highest Profile Attorneys in Franchising
Name: Elizabeth Sigety
Firm: Fox Rothschild
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizsigety/
About Fox Rothschild: Fox Rothschild LLP is a national law firm that delivers strategic, practical solutions for clients ranging from family-run businesses to multinational corporations. Home to more than 800 attorneys in 22 offices coast to coast, Fox offers clients a team of bright, creative, accomplished professionals in 60 practice areas who appreciate the changing nature of today’s competitive business environment. The Franchising, Licensing & Distribution Practice is comprised of a diverse group of attorneys who know the business and the law and are well-positioned to address the needs of all franchise and distribution companies, whether based on industrial, retail, food, entertainment, service, technology or home-based businesses.
Website: http://www.foxrothschild.com/
1851: How did you fall into franchising?
Sigety: My family were area developers for Houlihan’s for many years. When that began, my husband asked me to take a look at the Franchise Agreement he was being asked to sign. As I had no experience in franchising (indeed had not been an attorney for long), I told him it was horribly one sided and he should not sign it! Of course, since then I have learned that franchise agreements are generally written the way they are to protect the brand and the entire system.
1851: What do you love most about franchising?
Sigety: Many things. I think the two things that immediately come to mind are, from the franchisee’s perspective, giving an individual a chance to own and operate their own business in an industry they love – even if they have never done it before. Also, for an emerging franchisor, a solid model to expand their business.
1851: What makes a great client?
Sigety: Either one with prior experience with building and operating a business and working with attorneys when doing that OR one that is willing and happy to learn (and follow or at least carefully consider the advice of counsel).
1851: What makes a great franchise attorney?
Sigety: One that is not TOO MUCH of an attorney – that can incorporate the mandates of the law with practical business considerations when giving advice to his or her client.
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About the Author
Nick Powills
FollowNick Powills, CFE, founded No Limit Agency in 2008 and serves as Chief Brand Strategist for the Chicago-based firm. No Limit is a full-service communications agency that establishes and elevates brands by bridging Public Relations, Social Media, Marketing, Advertising, Digital, and a lot of creativity, to best strategize well-rounded and successful campaigns for 50+ global franchise brands. By presenting visionary ideas and building real relationships, No Limit is able to create effective media branding strategies to help companies grow. Nick currently leads a staff of writers, media strategists, designers, social media experts and digital producers in an office think-tank where brands are humanized for strong, compelling media stories. Prior to starting No Limit at the age of 27, Nick spent four years working at a franchise PR agency where he mastered the art of building rapport with media outlets and creating newsworthy pitches for earned media placements. He holds a Bachelor of Journalism from Drake University in Iowa.
