1851

<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-siegelheim-2329366/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-franchise-legal-players-adam-siegelheim-attorney-for-stark-stark-2717020" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Adam Siegelheim</a> is a specialist in franchise law, working as an attorney for New Jersey-based <a href="https://www.stark-stark.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-franchise-legal-players-adam-siegelheim-attorney-for-stark-stark-2717020" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Stark &amp; Stark</a>. He has extensive experience in entity formation, financing, real estate, business acquisitions and insurance handling, and his franchising knowledge has helped both franchisors and franchisees alike. Siegelheim handles disclosure documents, franchise agreements, registration and legal compliance matters to ensure a franchise is equipped to handle any legal rigors that may come its way.<h4>1851 Franchise: If we go back to your beginnings in your law career, what made you motivated to work with franchises?</h4>Adam Siegelheim: I was originally a general corporate attorney, working deals that involved clients and different kinds of franchise businesses purchases. I started becoming familiar with the franchises we worked with from a legal perspective, and back then, those brands were using Uniform Franchise Offering legal documents. I stumbled across a few clients who wanted to franchise their business, and I really started to enjoy&nbsp;working with those brands beyond those initial documents.<h4>1851: What do you think is the biggest legal hurdle facing the franchising industry in 2021/2022?</h4>Siegelheim: I would say it has to do with regulatory aspects, in terms of how the government and certain states regulate and impose certain laws on franchise businesses, like joint employer details or classifications of employees. Those provisions can potentially disrupt a business model.Some of these statutes and regulations can make it difficult for brands to conform to some essential aspects of a franchise or franchisee relationship, especially with independently owned and operated businesses.<h4>1851: What is the most common mistake you see franchise brands making from a legal perspective?</h4>Siegelheim: Some mistakes that brands make on the development side can come back to haunt them on the operation side in terms of the quality of the franchisee they award a franchise to. It’s important to know whether or not the [franchisee] is truly a fit, and that the brand knows how to structure its footprint.Another common mistake is sometimes not doing a good job screening the people who are coming into a system.It can also be dangerous if a brand is on the East Coast and decides to put locations on the West Coast before they're ready to support those locations, or vice versa. If a company is dispersed throughout the country, it sometimes can’t have the same market penetration as a brand that is developed in certain areas. That can make for a much harder time building a system.<h4>1851: What do you love about working with franchises?</h4>Siegelheim: I like the relationship aspect in terms of working within the confines of people who have a five-year, 10-year or sometimes 15-year commitment to operate a territory. Unless you're going to get a divorce from a brand, you have to maintain a working relationship with them. I enjoy counseling within those confines of working with clients to protect their brands and their system, while also working to help preserve their relationships with their franchisees.<h4>1851: What is one thing you think every prospective franchisee should know before joining a franchise brand?</h4>Siegelheim: It’s important for a franchisee to understand what it takes to be successful in the system and to set realistic expectations. For example, the operator of a children’s franchise is going to be doing marketing, managing employees and understanding what it takes to operate a business instead of working with kids as often as they might think.It's not about sitting there and enjoying the product or service itself as a franchisee — it's the passion of running a business. You have to develop that understanding as a business owner, and you have to make yourself aware before you decide to get on board.

Top Franchise Legal Players: Adam Siegelheim, Attorney for Stark & Stark

1851 Franchise

Siegelheim, a New Jersey-based franchise attorney, provides prospective franchisees with a detailed evaluation of business priorities.

top-franchise-legal-players-adam-siegelheim-attorney-for-stark-stark

Biscuit Belly Franchising

Investing in the Morning Rush: The Financial Benefits of a Biscuit Belly Franchise

biscuit-belly-franchise-financial-benefits-2025

Children's Lighthouse

Legal Expertise Meets Heart: How Stephanie Russ Builds Franchisee Confidence at Children’s Lighthouse

legal-expertise-meets-heart-how-stephanie-russ-builds-franchisee-confidence-at-childrens-lighthouse

Why Children’s Lighthouse Is a Great Multi-Unit Franchise Opportunity

why-childrens-lighthouse-is-a-great-multi-unit-franchise-opportunity

Why Franchise Prospects Should Consider Opening a Children’s Lighthouse in Up-and-Coming Markets

why-franchise-prospects-should-consider-opening-a-childrens-lighthouse-in-up-and-coming-markets

Caring Transitions

How Personal Experience Shaped My Entrepreneurial Path With Caring Transitions

how-personal-experience-shaped-my-entrepreneurial-path-with-caring-transitions

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

Subway Pushes Global Growth Despite U.S. Closures 

subway-pushes-global-growth-despite-us-closures

DoorDash Expansion Could Reshape Delivery and Operations for Franchise Brands - 1851 Franchise

DoorDash Expansion Could Reshape Delivery and Operations for Franchise Brands

doordash-acquistions-deliveroo-sevenrooms

Crumbl Franchise Investment - TSG Consumer Partners -  1851 Franchise

TSG Consumer Partners Takes Minority Stake in Crumbl, Signaling Franchise Growth Potential

crumbl-franchise-investment-tsg-consumer

Yum Brands Reports Strong Q1 Results with Big Boost from Taco Bell

yum-brands-reports-strong-q1-results-with-big-boost-from-taco-bell

QSR: McDonald’s Gains Momentum With Chicken Innovation, Value Deals and Franchisee Support

mcdonalds-franchise-recovery-chicken-strategy-value-deals-2025

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How to Position Your Value Proposition

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How to Position Your Value Proposition — Point of Differentiation

how-to-position-your-value-proposition-with-a-point-of-differentiation

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: Building Your Brand’s Growth Machine

ultimate-guide-to-selling-franchises

Cadence Franchising - Meet the Supplier - 1851 Franchise

Cadence Franchising: Modern Lead Nurturing and Recruitment Solutions

cadence-franchising-meet-the-supplier

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

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

Franchisee spotlight image with photo of Robert Trujillo and UWRG logo on blue background

How Robert Trujillo Expanded His Construction Business With UWRG

how-robert-trujillo-expanded-his-construction-business-with-uwrg

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Amy Lepke and family and Papa Murphy's logo

After 14 Years as a Stay-At-Home Mom, Amy Lepke Returned to Papa Murphy’s — This Time as an Owner

papa-murphys-franchise-amy-lepke

Franchisee Spotlight with Micki Waters and Papa Murphy's Logo

Work Mom: How Micki Waters Became a Mother Figure to Her Entire Papa Murphy’s Team

work-mom-how-micki-waters-became-a-mother-figure-to-her-entire-papa-murphys-team

District Taco Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

franchise-deep-dive-district-tacos-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

The Top 20 Cleaning Franchises to Invest in for 2025

top-cleaning-franchises-to-invest-in

Top Franchise Legal Players: Adam Siegelheim, Attorney for Stark & Stark

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS