1851

When it comes to building and growing a franchise, legal representation is a vital part of the puzzle. Why? At the federal level, the Federal Trade Commission has a Federal Franchise Rule that, in most cases, requires franchise brands to disclose prospective franchisees with a Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). And even before issuing the FDD, brands need to button up trademarks and other intellectual property. Once a brand starts signing franchisees, the franchise lawyer remains essential, not just for responding to the prospective franchisee’s attorney’s questions, but also to protect the franchise brand for the ultimate exit.But picking the right franchise attorney can be a challenge. Franchisors need to mae sure they are asking the right questions:<h4>Does the attorney understand franchise law?</h4>While many lawyers will tell you they can handle franchising, there is added value (and less cost) to using an attorney that is focused on franchise law. This way, you won’t be paying fees (often hourly) for the novice lawyer to learn a category. <a href="https://1851franchise.com/2020legalplayers">There are no shortage of options for finding the right franchise attorney</a>, and there is no reason to waste time and money on one who is learning the industry with you.<h4>What is the franchise law firm’s key point of differentiation?</h4>Just as your business will have to have a clear point of differentiation, look into the law firm’s, too. What are the value-adds they will bring? How do they win business? What tools and technologies do they have to shorten the path to winning and help you keep the costs down?&nbsp;<h4>Is the franchise lawyer and their firm a good fit to your business?&nbsp;</h4>Just as you evaluate prospective franchise buyers for alignment with your brand, operational model and mission, it is crucial to evaluate franchise lawyers by the same standards. Are they someone you see yourself grabbing a beer with? Do they fit your culture? Do you have confidence they will have your back when you battle a legal challenge? Ask these questions to yourself when performing due diligence on the right legal fit.<h4>Does the law firm or the franchise attorney have a proven track record of winning?</h4>If you ask the franchise lawyer to give you an example of a brand whose growth they helped to accelerate, you will have a starting point. Then, ask for a detailed explanation of what exactly they did to support that growth. While they may or may not have a home run brand under their belt, this question will help you understand and believe whether they have the potential to lead you to build one.<h4>What is the cost and how does it fit into your budget?</h4>This could very well be the first question you may ask. Some franchise attorneys, especially if part of a larger firm, could come with an expensive price tag. Sometimes, those price tags include additional resources. Sometimes they don’t. For ballpark numbers, according to <a href="http://www.franchiselawsolutions.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-to-pick-a-franchise-attorney-2713613" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Franchiselawsolutions.com</a>, the typical fixed fee for FDD development and franchising a business ranges from $15,000 to $45,000 and franchise lawyers that charge based on hourly billing set their rates at $300–$700.

How to Pick a Franchise Attorney

1851 Franchise

When searching for a franchise lawyer, look for depth of experience, points of differentiation, proof of winning and cost.

how-to-pick-a-franchise-attorney

BooXkeeping

From Ice Cream to Income Streams: How Greg Cox Found His Sweet Spot with BooXkeeping

from-ice-cream-to-income-streams-how-greg-cox-found-his-sweet-spot-with-booxkeeping

Children's Lighthouse

Children’s Lighthouse Named Among America’s Best in Customer Service by Newsweek

childrens-lighthouse-named-among-americas-best-in-customer-service-by-newsweek

KLA Schools

How KLA Schools Is Redefining Early Childhood Education Through a Hands-On, Academically-Rich Approach

how-kla-schools-is-redefining-early-childhood-education-through-a-hands-on-academically-rich-approach

Why Tennessee Is a Strategic Growth Market for Children’s Lighthouse

why-tennessee-is-a-strategic-growth-market-for-childrens-lighthouse

Comfort Keepers

Comfort Keepers Eyes Salt Lake City for Expansion: Meeting the Rising Demand for In-Home Senior Care in Utah

comfort-keepers-eyes-salt-lake-city-for-expansion-meeting-the-rising-demand-for-in-home-senior-care-in-utah

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

McDonald’s Launches New Extra Value Meals as Consumer Demand for Value Continues to Climb

mcdonalds-launches-extra-value-meals

Power Eats: Smoothie King Rolls Out Food Nationwide To Fuel Franchise Growth

smoothie-king-food-menu-power-eats

Keurig Dr Pepper Splits in $18 Billion JDE Peet’s Deal, Creating Global Coffee Giant

keurig-dr-pepper-splits-in-18-billion-jde-peets-deal-creating-global-coffee-giant

McDonald’s Rolls Out Major Value Push To Win Back Customers Amid Inflation

mcdonalds-rolls-out-major-value-push-to-win-back-customers-amid-inflation

Photo of Paris Baguette pastries and beverages 

Paris Baguette Celebrates 250th Café Opening in Frederick, Maryland, Accelerating Expansion and Reviving the Neighborhood Bakery Café

paris-baguette-250th-north-america-cafe

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores - Agg - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores

hooters-franchise-model-company-owned-closures

Wendy's CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down - Breaking News - 1851 Franchise

Wendy’s CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down Amid Challenges, Leaving Franchisees Facing Uncertainty

wendys-ceo-transition-kirk-tanner-franchisee-uncertainty

Planet Fitness Franchisees Donate $100K to Support Texas Flood Relief - 1851 Franchise

Planet Fitness Franchisees Donate $100K To Support Texas Flood Relief

planet-fitness-texas-flood-relief

graphic image of a franchisee spotligh aman kaur of voodoo brewing

How This Trio of Friends Is Brewing Up Community With Voodoo Brewing Co. in Prosper, Texas

voodoo-brewing-franchisee-aman-kaur-prosper-texas

Franchise Deep Dive graphic with i9 Sports logo

i9 Sports Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

i9-sports-franchise-cost-fees-profit

Hely and Hiral Patel Bring Their Longtime Dream to Life With The Brass Tap

brass-tap-franchise-pasadena-maryland-hely-hiral-patel

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Ricki Oberoi and Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

Multi-Unit Wendy’s Operator Signs 12-Unit Deal With Layne’s Chicken Fingers

ricki-oberoi-laynes-chicken-fingers-growth

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise Built on Heart and Community

paris-baguette-franchise-rockaway-new-jersey-vishal-junjea

How to Pick a Franchise Attorney

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS