1851

1851 interviewed <a href="https://www.chengcohen.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-franchise-lawyers-michael-daigle-of-cheng-cohen-2713483" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Cheng Cohen</a>’s <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-daigle-a50050b/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-franchise-lawyers-michael-daigle-of-cheng-cohen-2713483" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Michael Daigle</a> about the state of franchising, what makes a franchise attorney awesome and his advice for growth-minded franchisors.About Michael Daigle (from <a href="https://www.chengcohen.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-franchise-lawyers-michael-daigle-of-cheng-cohen-2713483" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">firm’s website</a>):Michael’s unique experience drives his client-centric point of view as a lawyer. Before returning to private practice in 2008, Michael spent 20+ years as chief legal counsel and senior business executive for companies such as Blockbuster, Quiznos, Boston Market and Einstein Bagels, where he was a front-line player in building those companies’ brands both domestically and overseas. Having worn the shoes of a client for most of his career, Michael has faced and made the same critical business and legal decisions that his clients are forced to make as they either begin their journey as a franchisor or take their systems to the next level. This, together with his experience developing and operating his own restaurant and jazz club, have armed him with valuable insight and empathy that is unique among lawyers.As a lawyer, Michael’s roles have put him on the front line of issues and challenges ranging from aggressive domestic and international growth, management transitions, class actions and other complex litigation, general business matters, and mergers and acquisitions. He has spent years honing his versatile experience in three key roles: law firm partner, chief legal officer for several prominent brands and an executive-level business leader for aggressive growth franchisors. In those roles, Michael was charged with both business and legal responsibilities, including developing and implementing global expansion strategies, negotiating multi-national business deals and documenting transactions around the world ranging from direct operations, joint ventures, licenses, master franchises and area development transactions in over 50 countries in every region of the world.About Cheng Cohen (from firm’s website):Cheng Cohen&nbsp;specializes in franchise compliance and growth law and is proud to have the largest legal team dedicated to the franchise industry.1851 Franchise: What do you love most about franchising?&nbsp;Michael Daigle: Two things: The diversity of concepts that we get to work with, and, in many cases, the chance to work with the entrepreneurs who founded them.&nbsp;It’s hard to be bored, and it’s exciting to be able to peak behind the curtain and see the creative and innovative products and services people come up with and ways for delivering them to consumers.1851: What makes a great franchise attorney, as in, what makes you awesome?&nbsp;Daigle: Gut, experience (both legal and business experience), responsiveness, and the ability to problem-solve in a way that gets past “no” while minimizing the client’s risks.1851: What is the most important question to ask a franchise attorney when looking to make a change in representation?&nbsp;Daigle: Are you willing&nbsp;and&nbsp;able to be my business partner?&nbsp;The practice of law has evolved since I started practicing — clients should be embraced, not held at arm’s length, and it’s rare that a legal issue is decided in a vacuum.&nbsp;Franchise attorneys must understand both the business risks that flow from legal decisions and the legal risks that flow from business decisions, and they must be prepared to partner with their clients as they make both kinds of decisions.1851: What is the number-one piece of advice you would give franchisors as to how to grow their brand?&nbsp;Daigle: To coin a phrase — expect the unexpected.&nbsp;Things rarely go as planned.&nbsp;Franchisors looking to grow their brands absolutely have to have a plan, but their ability to adapt the plan and to be smartly&nbsp;opportunistic are critical to growth.1851: What do you see as the top legal worry for franchisors in the next year?Daigle: The ability to manage — and help their franchisees manage - through the economic fallout that will inevitably come with the operational restrictions (forced closures, limitations on size of gatherings, travel restrictions, etc.) being placed on people and businesses as the world deals with the Covid-19 pandemic.&nbsp;That fallout will tremendously stress businesses’ contractual and other relationships with vendors, lenders, landlords, and employees and will be felt for years to come.

Michael Daigle | Top Franchise Lawyers | 1851 Franchise

1851 Franchise

1851 Franchise’s annual compilation of great franchise attorneys.

Top Franchise Lawyers: Michael Daigle of Cheng Cohen

top-franchise-lawyers-michael-daigle-of-cheng-cohen

Voodoo Brewing Co.

Why I Bought: How Alex and Chrissy Bergren Turned Their Passion for Craft Beer Into a Thriving Voodoo Brewing Co. in Virginia Beach

why-i-bought-how-alex-and-chrissy-bergren-turned-their-passion-for-craft-beer-into-a-thriving-voodoo-brewing-co-in-virginia-beach

Beef 'O' Brady's

Beef 'O' Brady's - Brass Tap - Q1 2025 Momentum - 1851 Franchise

Beef ‘O’ Brady’s and The Brass Tap Kick Off 2025 With Growth, Innovation and Record Sales for Q1

fsc-franchise-co-q1-2025-momentum

BoConcept

Creating the Perfect Outdoor Space: BoConcept’s Tips for Making Outdoor Living Cozy and Stylish

creating-the-perfect-outdoor-space-boconcept

Right at Home

Albano Mahilaj Turned Personal Challenges Into a Purpose-Driven Right at Home Franchise

right-at-home-franchise-albano-mahilaj

Layne's Chicken Fingers

Photo of Layne's Chicken Fingers restaurant after dark with red lights around top of building

Layne’s Chicken Fingers to Expand in Mid-Atlantic, Bringing Its Soon to Be FamousTM Flavor to New Markets

laynes-chicken-fingers-mid-atlantic-expansion

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 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

The Future of Franchising: Trends and Predictions for 2025 and Beyond

the-future-of-franchising-trends-and-predictions-for-2025-and-beyond

Restaurant Business: Crumbl Cools Its Expansion, Refocuses on Profitability

restaurant-business-crumbl-cools-its-expansion-refocuses-on-profitability

Franchise Face-Lifts: Why Major Restaurant Brands Are Betting Big on Remodels

franchise-face-lifts-why-major-restaurant-brands-are-betting-big-on-remodels

How New Tariffs Are Causing Price Hikes and Surcharges for U.S. Businesses and Franchises - 1851

Tariffs Prompt Price Hikes, Surcharges as Businesses (and Franchises) Brace for Rising Costs 

tariffs-prompt-price-hikes-surcharges

Pizza Hut - EYM Group - Chapter 11 Bankruptcy - 77 Pizza Hut Locations Sold - 1851 Franchise

77 Pizza Hut Locations Sold After Franchisee Bankruptcy Filing

pizza-hut-franchisee-bankruptcy-eym-group

Photo of powerlifter, wearing red singlet and white socks, preparing to deadlift

The 5 Business and Life Lessons I Learned from Powerlifting

the-5-business-and-life-lessons-i-learned-from-powerlifting

Consulting and Development | Big Sky Franchise Team — Emerging Leaders in Franchise Support

Big Sky Franchise Team: Expert Consulting for Scalable Growth

consulting-and-development-big-sky-franchise-team-emerging-leaders-in-franchise-support

franchise supplier award design with Locate AI logo and 1851 Franchise badge

Franchise Real Estate Services | Locate AI — Emerging Leaders in Franchise Support

locate-ai-emerging-leaders-in-franchise-support

Guidant Financial - Meet the Supplier - 1851 Franchise

Guidant Financial: Strategic Funding Solutions To Accelerate Growth

meet-the-supplier-guidant-financial-group-inc

Franchisee spotlight image with Randy and Sandy Craft, Children's Lighthouse logo on blue background

The Crafts’ Successful Journey from New Parents to Children’s Lighthouse Franchisees

the-crafts-successful-journey-from-new-parents-to-childrens-lighthouse-franchisees

Most Profitable Restaurant Franchises To Own in 2025 - 1851 Franchise

The Most Profitable Restaurant Franchises to Own in 2025

most-profitable-restaurant-franchises-to-own

Franchise Success Stories: Inspiring Tales from the Front Lines

franchise-success-stories

Image of building outline hovering over person's hand

How To Choose the Right Franchise: A Step-by-Step Guide to Success

how-to-choose-the-right-franchise-step-by-step

Amateur Bodybuilder and Business Partner Bring Passion for Fitness to World Gym Franchise in Fulton, New York

amateur-bodybuilder-and-business-partner-bring-passion-for-fitness-to-world-gym-franchise-in-fulton-new-york

Lindora’s New President Discusses Franchise Growth and the Future of Health and Wellness

lindoras-new-president-discusses-franchise-growth-and-the-future-of-health-and-wellness

Top Franchise Lawyers: Michael Daigle of Cheng Cohen

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS