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Every franchisor is going to have unexpected expenses come up from time to time. Whether it be legal disputes with franchisees or <a href="https://1851franchise.com/top-5-tips-for-dealing-with-a-crisis-3377" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">a public relations crisis</a>, it is important that a brand is prepared for these expenses and makes a plan for what costs may occur. The best way for a franchise to withstand unforeseen expenses is to be in a solid financial state with an emergency fund in the bank and a high credit rating. To help prepare, here are some best practices every franchisor should keep in mind when creating a budget.&nbsp;

Always Be Prepared For a Crisis

Brands can&rsquo;t deal with a crisis on the fly&mdash;that&rsquo;s a recipe for disaster. Crisis management and budgeting may be one of the most important skills to learn and understand for a brand and franchise system. Once a PR plan is put in place, test it out and have crisis drills to see how it holds up and tweak your budget accordingly.&nbsp;

As the former in-house counsel to <a href="https://www.nutrisystem.com/jsps_hmr/home/index.jsp?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=saving-for-a-rainy-day-what-to-set-aside-in-your-budget-for-the-unexpected-2711082" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">Nutrisystem</a> 20 years ago, <a href="https://1851franchise.com/franchise-legal-players-nancy-lanard-senior-partner-at-lanard-and-associates-p-c--2709574" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">Nancy Lanard, a Senior Partner at Lanard and Associates, P.C</a>., got to see firsthand how expensive a PR crisis can become.&nbsp;

&ldquo;In the early 1990s, Nutrisystem was involved in a huge, national PR crisis after a customer <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1993/03/07/popular-diet-beset-by-puzzling-debate/d26968c7-1b52-43f3-b7bb-331f4466d84d/?noredirect=on&utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=saving-for-a-rainy-day-what-to-set-aside-in-your-budget-for-the-unexpected-2711082" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">claimed that the product caused gallbladder disease</a>,&rdquo; said Lanard. &ldquo;The story ended up <a href="https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-03-20-fi-827-story.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=saving-for-a-rainy-day-what-to-set-aside-in-your-budget-for-the-unexpected-2711082" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">spreading all over the country</a> and resulted in over 500 lawsuits. We were on the national news every single night for weeks and the company had to hire outside PR counsel as well as a medical director just to handle interviews and television appearances.&rdquo;&nbsp;

While not every PR crisis is going to be massive, it can&rsquo;t hurt to plan for a major disaster. Have a crisis PR agency among your contacts, and build in the budget to hire one for when a crisis rears its head. &ldquo;Crisis PR is a specialized skill and it doesn&rsquo;t come cheap,&rdquo; said Lanard. &ldquo;Find the best crisis agency that fits your needs and budget for it.&rdquo;

Plan For Consumer Litigation

While a litigation budget can never be set in stone as each case will have its own complexities or difficulties, it is important to plan for the worst.&nbsp;

In Lanard&rsquo;s case, Nutrisystem ended up having to hire counsel for 500 lawsuits, including a separate paralegal just to go through and manage the mail. &ldquo;<a href="https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/1828694/in-re-nutrisystem-inc/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=saving-for-a-rainy-day-what-to-set-aside-in-your-budget-for-the-unexpected-2711082" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">Each of the 500 lawsuits had pleadings involved all over the country</a>,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;None of the in-house attornies were litigators and we had one large firm in the Midwest that handled oversight nationally. When a company has lawsuits all over the country, they often have to hire local counsel, which gets very expensive.&rdquo;

According to Lanard, the costs of the entire experience were astronomical. &ldquo;No company can afford to litigate 500 lawsuits,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;Nutrisystem was already financially weak, mainly due to the owners taking out substantial quarterly dividends that left no funds in reserve. In the end, Nutrisystem went into bankruptcy, resulting in massive layoffs. At the time, the brand was one of the biggest weight loss companies in the world, with over 13,000 locations nationwide.&rdquo;

Don&rsquo;t Forget About Franchisee Litigation

In franchising, where the relationship and obligations of a <a href="https://1851franchise.com/what-is-an-fdd--2705192" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">franchisor and its franchisees rest upon the terms of the franchise agreement,</a> it&rsquo;s inevitable that disagreements will arise. Despite the best efforts of the franchisor to resolve a franchisee dispute without resorting to legal action, there are instances where litigation may be necessary.

In the 1980s, <a href="http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/nutrisystem-inc-history/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=saving-for-a-rainy-day-what-to-set-aside-in-your-budget-for-the-unexpected-2711082" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">another contentious battle was taking place for Nutrisystem</a>. A large number of franchisees felt gouged by the price of the food they were obliged to buy from the franchisor. The franchisees formed a federation that sought compromise, eventually resulting in a lawsuit filed against Nutrisystem that counted 280 of the 550 franchised centers as litigants in the antitrust suit.

While brands should be doing everything they can to avoid franchisee legal disputes like this, sometimes these costs can be unavoidable. &ldquo;Legal fees for a particular case are mainly a combination of two variables: the hourly lawyer rate and the number of hours worked,&rdquo; said Lanard. &ldquo;While this may seem simple, estimating the total amount for legal fees for litigation is a complex and challenging task.&rdquo;

No business can predict the future, but it can never hurt to be prepared. &ldquo;In today&rsquo;s world, you never know what expense is going to come up next,&rdquo; said Lanard. &ldquo;Through my experience, I&rsquo;ve seen how important it is to expect the unexpected when it comes to a franchisor&rsquo;s budget.&quot;

Saving for a Rainy Day: What To Set Aside in Your Budget for the Unexpected

1851 Franchise

Franchisors need to be aware of costs that may spring up when they least expect it, including those from a PR crisis or litigation.

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Prince St. Pizza Partners With Dave’s Hot Chicken Franchisee for National Growth

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KKR to Acquire Nothing Bundt Cakes in $2 Billion Deal -  1851 Franchise

KKR to Acquire Nothing Bundt Cakes in $2 Billion Deal

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FTC Settlement Puts New Focus on Franchise Disclosure Standards - 1851 Franchise

FTC Settlement Puts New Focus on Franchise Disclosure Standards

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Applebee’s Franchisee Files for Bankruptcy as Dine Brands Moves to Acquire 53 Units - 1851 Franchise

Applebee’s Franchisee Files for Bankruptcy as Dine Brands Moves to Acquire 53 Units

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<a href="https://princestreetpizza.com/">Prince St. Pizza</a> has partnered with a&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/franchise-deep-dive-daves-hot-chicken-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2723529">Dave’s Hot Chicken</a> franchisee to support its national expansion,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pizzamarketplace.com/news/prince-st-pizza-partners-with-daves-hot-chicken-franchisee-for-national-expansion/#:~:text=Prince%20St.%20Pizza%2C%20a%20New%20York%2Dbased%20pizzeria,the%20country%2C%20according%20to%20a%20press%20release.">Pizza Marketplace recently reported</a>. The New York-based brand has joined forces with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawrencekourie/">Lawrence Kourie</a>, founder and largest franchisee of Dave’s Hot Chicken, to grow its footprint across the country. Kourie’s experience opening and operating locations in multiple markets will help the brand as it enters new territories."Lawrence has built and operated one of the fastest-expanding restaurant concepts in the country, but what stands out is his disciplined approach to growth and brand integrity," said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawrence-longo-342856/?skipRedirect=true">Lawrence Longo</a>, CEO of Prince St. Pizza. "He understands how to develop a concept without losing what made it special in the first place, which is critical as we enter this next phase."The expansion will use Kourie’s existing infrastructure and operations to introduce Prince St. Pizza into new markets. Each location will aim to reflect the same experience as the brand’s original Nolita shop."I have spent years evaluating restaurant concepts, and it is rare to find one that delivers both a strong product and a clear identity," Kourie said. "What Prince St. has built is difficult to truly replicate. The focus now is on growing the brand in a way that preserves that foundation while introducing it to new communities."Kourie is a key operator within the Dave’s Hot Chicken system,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/daves-hot-chicken-sold-to-roark-capital-in-1-billion-deal-to-fuel-global-expansion-2729557#stories">which Roark Capital acquired in a $1 billion deal in 2025</a>. The partnership connects Prince St. Pizza to an operator with experience scaling a brand that has attracted major private equity investment.Read the full article&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pizzamarketplace.com/news/prince-st-pizza-partners-with-daves-hot-chicken-franchisee-for-national-expansion/#:~:text=Prince%20St.%20Pizza%2C%20a%20New%20York%2Dbased%20pizzeria,the%20country%2C%20according%20to%20a%20press%20release.">here</a>.Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisees find the right franchise opportunity? Visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.1851growthclub.com">www.1851growthclub.com</a> and start your journey.

Prince St. Pizza is teaming up with a leading Dave’s Hot Chicken franchisee to expand nationwide, tapping proven operator experience to drive growth.

According to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260312305776/en/RF-Expands-Residential-and-Commercial-Services-Portfolio-with-Investment-in-Precision-Garage-Door-Service-Franchisee">recent release</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://rf-partners.com/">RF Investment Partners</a>, a group focused on flexible capital solutions and value-add support to lower-middle-market businesses, has teamed up with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.burlingtoncp.us/">Burlington Capital Partners</a>, a group focused on family, founder and operator-owned lower-middle-market businesses, to acquire a prominent multi-territory&nbsp;<a href="https://franchise.neighborly.com/precision-door">Precision Garage Door Service</a> franchise.The investment marks the seventh platform for RF within the service space. Precision Garage Door Service, which is part of the larger&nbsp;<a href="https://www.neighborly.com/">Neighborly</a> ecosystem, specializes in the installation, maintenance and repair of garage doors.&nbsp;“We are proud to partner with management and the Burlington team to support continued growth by investing in people and operational excellence,”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-fidler-6787143">Peter Fidler</a>, managing partner and co-founder of RF Investment Partners, said in the release. “The sector continues to present compelling opportunities given the essential nature of garage door repair, and we look forward to building on Precision’s strong foundation to drive long-term value.”This deal is part of the broader trend toward institutionalized multi-unit and multi-territory operators. Previously, franchising was largely viewed as the place for “mom-and-pop” businesses. And while franchises remain small, local businesses, the aggressive entry of private equity firms focused on operators (franchisees) rather than the brand (franchisor) is bringing new energy to small business ownership.Read the full release&nbsp;<a href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260312305776/en/RF-Expands-Residential-and-Commercial-Services-Portfolio-with-Investment-in-Precision-Garage-Door-Service-Franchisee">here</a>.Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisees find the right franchise opportunity? Visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.1851growthclub.com">www.1851growthclub.com</a> and start your journey.

Design with Precision Garage Door Service team members

The strategic investment marks the seventh residential services platform for RF and reflects a growing institutional desire for high-potential, operator-led franchises.

RF Investment Partners and Burlington Capital Join Forces to Acquire Top Precision Garage Door Franchise

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<a href="https://www.yum.com/wps/portal/yumbrands/Yumbrands/">Yum! Brands</a> is considering a potential sale of Pizza Hut and plans to close 250 underperforming U.S. locations, according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://simplywall.st/stocks/us/consumer-services/nyse-yum/yum-brands/news/yum-brands-weighs-pizza-hut-sale-as-portfolio-reset-accelera">recent article on Simply Wall St</a>. For the franchising industry, the significance is less about the stock and more about what it says about how large franchisors are managing brand portfolios in a high-cost operating environment.<a href="https://1851franchise.com/pizza-hut-franchise-deep-dive-2722519">Pizza Hut</a> is one of the most recognizable names in franchising. If Yum! decides to sell it, that would be a notable shift for a company built on a multi-brand platform. For years, large brand groups have argued that operating multiple concepts creates advantages, including shared resources, stronger purchasing power and the ability to invest in technology across the system. A sale would suggest Yum! believes those benefits no longer outweigh the effort required to improve Pizza Hut’s performance.The planned closures may have the most immediate impact on franchisees. When a franchisor reduces its footprint, it can change how the brand performs in local markets. Fewer locations can mean less convenience for customers, which can hurt overall traffic. It can also weaken the effect of local advertising when there are fewer restaurants supporting promotions in the same trade area.Closures can also affect store-level economics in ways that go beyond the locations that shut down. In some markets, remaining franchisees may pick up some displaced demand. In others, customers may switch to competitors. The changes can also affect local co-op advertising budgets and, depending on how purchasing and distribution are structured, can influence costs tied to volume.The move comes as competition in pizza remains intense, with&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/franchise-deep-dive-dominos-pizza-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2725506">Domino’s</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/franchise-deep-dive-papa-johns-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2724607">Papa Johns</a> continuing to push delivery, digital ordering and value-focused offers. Simply Wall St notes Yum! has been rolling out its Byte digital platform across brands. If Yum! changes Pizza Hut’s role in the portfolio, it could also change where the company focuses its technology and marketing investment.For franchise systems watching from the outside, Yum!’s review is a reminder that growth is not always the main priority. Sometimes the bigger decision is whether a legacy brand can be improved inside a platform or whether it will perform better under a different owner and a different plan.Read the original article&nbsp;<a href="https://simplywall.st/stocks/us/consumer-services/nyse-yum/yum-brands/news/yum-brands-weighs-pizza-hut-sale-as-portfolio-reset-accelera">here</a>.Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisees find the right franchise opportunity? Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.1851growthclub.com">www.1851growthclub.com</a> and start your journey.

Yum! Brands Pizza Hut Sale - 1851 Franchise

Yum! is reviewing the brand and closing 250 U.S. locations, a move that could affect franchisees and reshape its restaurant portfolio.

Possible Pizza Hut Sale Signals Shift in Yum! Brands’ Franchise Strategy

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<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tractnumerouno/">Craig R. Tractenberg</a> recently wrote in an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.law.com/thelegalintelligencer/2026/03/24/ftc-secures-17m-settlement-against-xponential-fitness-for-franchise-disclosure-violations/">article for The Legal Intelligencer</a> that the Federal Trade Commission secured a $17 million settlement against&nbsp;<a href="https://www.xponential.com/franchising">Xponential Fitness</a> over alleged franchise disclosure violations, a case that could send a clear message across the franchise industry about the cost of incomplete or misleading pre-sale information.The FTC’s complaint took aim at multiple aspects of Xponential’s franchise sales process, including how the company framed the path to opening. Franchisees were led to expect they could get a studio up and running within six months. In reality, many spent more than a year trying to open, and some never got there. That delay left some franchisees carrying unexpected costs such as rent and interest payments before they could generate revenue.Federal regulators also alleged that Xponential failed to disclose material background information about key executives, including prior fraud lawsuits tied to a former CEO and a bankruptcy history involving a former president of franchise development. The complaint also alleged that Xponential did not fully identify former franchisees who had left the system. In some cases, the contact information it provided was outdated, limiting what prospective buyers could learn during due diligence. Regulators also said the company failed to provide franchise disclosure documents within the required 14-day review window before collecting money or signing binding agreements.Under the proposed consent order, which remains subject to finalization by the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, Xponential would pay $17 million to provide relief to affected franchisees. The order would also bar the company from making similar misrepresentations and require full compliance with the FTC Franchise Rule going forward.For the broader franchising industry, the case could have a lasting effect even if Xponential proves to be an outlier. It reinforces that franchise growth cannot come at the expense of clear, timely and accurate disclosures. It may also encourage franchisors to take a harder look at their FDD practices, executive disclosures and sales language before regulators do it for them. For franchisees, it is a reminder that legal review matters, but it also shows how vulnerable buyers can be when critical information is never disclosed in the first place.Read the original article&nbsp;<a href="https://www.law.com/thelegalintelligencer/2026/03/24/ftc-secures-17m-settlement-against-xponential-fitness-for-franchise-disclosure-violations/">here</a>.Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisees find the right franchise opportunity? Visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.1851growthclub.com">www.1851growthclub.com</a> and start your journey.

The $17 million case against Xponential Fitness could sharpen compliance expectations across franchising and raise the stakes for pre-sale transparency.

How much can franchisees make? It’s a question many prospective owners ask before investing in a franchise. While earnings tend to be driven by variables such as industry, location and general management skills, a proper understanding of the key factors driving profitability can help franchise owners develop expectations that are realistic.&nbsp;Multi-unit franchisee&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mangesh-patel-9368569/">Mangesh Patel</a>, who’s readying the launch of six&nbsp;<a href="https://www.beefobradysfranchise.com/">Beef ‘O’ Brady’s</a> restaurant locations in the Macon, Georgia area, shares insights from his franchising experience.<h2>Understanding Franchise Income</h2>Keeping operational costs in check can have a major impact on overall earnings. Taking a proactive approach to expenses such as food and labor, as well as payroll and scheduling, can help align actual franchise income with general expectations for the business.“I just had a meeting with a couple of people, and they said, ‘You talked about a 25% profit margin, but I’m only doing 12%.’ So, I looked at the figures they sent me,” Patel said. “Their&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/calculate-restaurant-franchise-profit-2730476">restaurant</a> food cost was running at 37%, which should be around 30%. The national average is about 32%. If I do things correctly, my average food cost needs to be at or below 30%. And payroll should run around 18%. But many people run 25 to 28%.”So,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/unraveling-franchise-earnings-how-much-can-you-really-make-2723935">how much can franchisees make</a>? Here are five areas to consider.<h2>Practical Tips for Prospective Franchisees</h2><ol><li>Control Costs From Day One:&nbsp;It’s important to monitor payroll, food and supply costs closely. Overstaffing and inefficiencies can quickly reduce profits.</li><li>Plan For The Opening Surge:&nbsp;Traffic within the first few months of opening is likely to be higher. It’s important to adjust staffing and inventory accordingly, and pay close attention to how those levels change as time goes on.</li><li>Invest In Training:&nbsp;Properly trained workers can help reduce waste and improve overall service, which has a direct effect on net income.</li><li>Understand Your Market:&nbsp;Each market is unique and revenue potential will vary depending upon location, demographics and competition.</li><li>Track Metrics Regularly:&nbsp;Food cost percentages, labor ratios and weekly sales data act as key indicators operations may need to be adjusted.</li></ol><h2>What Profitability Really Comes Down To</h2>Patel notes that if franchise owners manage labor and costs properly, it’s not impossible to achieve strong cash flow even in the first year, bucking some franchising trends.So,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/how-much-can-you-make-as-a-franchise-owner-2724761">how much can franchisees make</a>? While results tend to vary, careful planning, disciplined operations and a proactive approach to assessing initial costs are essential. But by grasping and guiding the elements that drive franchise profitability, franchise owners can maximize overall business earnings, scaling a business that’s sustainable financially over the long term.Want to learn more about franchise opportunities on 1851 Franchise? Be sure to visit our&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/power-rankings">Power Rankings</a> to read more on brands making moves.

How much can franchisees make? This guide explains what drives franchise earnings and how to manage costs, with expert tips from multi-unit owner Mangesh Patel on maximizing your franchise income.

How Much Can Franchisees Make? A Guide for Prospective Franchise Owners

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Beef 'O' Brady's Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2026

Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: Beef ‘O’ Brady’s is a family sports pub concept built around community, casual dining and lifelong local loyalty.

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Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: A purpose-driven swim instruction and aquatics management franchise offering at-home, indoor and community-based swim programs.

urSwim Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2026

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Visiting Angels Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2026

Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: Visiting Angels is a senior home care franchise focused on in-home support for seniors and individuals with disabilities.

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Amada Senior Care Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2026

Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: Amada Senior Care is a non-medical home care, assisted living placement, and related senior-support services with multiple revenue streams.

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Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: A fast-casual restaurant brand serving made-from-scratch sandwiches, salads, soups and pizzas rooted in Southern hospitality.


Saving for a Rainy Day: What To Set Aside in Your Budget for the Unexpected

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