Top Franchise Legal Players: Ambika Sapra, Sapra & Navarra, LLP

Honoree: Ambika Sapra

Role: Co-Founder and Partner, Sapra & Navarra, LLP

Ambika Sapra, a board-certified workers’ compensation specialist, is a partner at Sapra & Navarra, LLP. Proudly part of an all-women firm — with the exception of her partner Albert Navarra — Sapra leads a team of strong, intelligent and passionate women dedicated to protecting their clients’ legal and financial interests. Sapra’s firm is known for its aggressive representation and innovative litigation strategies, making it a formidable force in the legal industry.

Sapra’s passion for her work is evident in her proactive approach to legal innovation. Her firm’s unique litigation strategy, developed nearly a decade ago, has led to significant reductions in total cost-per-case compared to statewide averages. This strategy, born out of frustration and concern for their clients’ finances, has been confirmed by the leading actuary in the state to yield major cost savings. Sapra is also in the midst of developing an AI machine-learning program aimed at revolutionizing the industry.

1851 Franchise reached out to Sapra to learn about how franchisors can protect their brand and avoid legal mistakes. Check out her insights below.

1851 Franchise: What do you see as the most important things a franchisor should do to protect their brand?

Ambika Sapra: Focus on the purchaser. Anyone who is an epicurean, self-describes themselves with the ubiquitous “foodie” adjective and binge watches all three seasons of the television series “The Bear” is not a candidate to run a successful franchise. Running a franchise is not a bon vivant “culinary adventure.” The franchisee needs to demonstrate some experience and aptitude towards running and managing a serious business. It entails multiple components including quality of food, service, insurance, management of staff, keeping up with various codes and regulations, cleanliness, wages, employee retention and a litany of other items. A prospective buyer may have the funds to buy it, but if they do not have the skills to run the franchise, it can quickly go “up in flames”, thus affecting the brand value.

1851: How important is the information in Item 19?

Sapra: Buying a franchise is a major investment. Consult with a professional who understands the nuances of Item 19.

1851: What is the single largest legal mistake brands make?

Sapra: Don’t get emotional when you get sued. Emergency room doctors do not get emotional when they see trauma. They are clinical, and clients should be the same way. Workers’ compensation is a huge expense for employers and can be very stressful. The costs of workers’ compensation are rising with the increase in minimum wages, filing of continuous trauma claims and many other challenges that employers face in the current climate. Don’t make the mistake of getting emotionally involved in claims. If a claim is filed, listen to your workers’ compensation specialist and take away the element of emotional involvement. Once you get sued, now is the time to make a business and legal decision, not an emotional decision.

1851: How do you stand out as a franchise law firm?

Sapra: I would think any defense attorney will say that they want to save their clients time and money — I certainly say that in my firm. But what differentiates my law firm is that I take a very different strategy from my colleagues in achieving that goal. I will not get too technical or legal here, but I will say that I probably have the same goal as other defense firms, but I follow a very different strategy to achieve that goal. And have decades of results to prove its success.

1851: What is the best business advice you have received in your career?

Sapra: I don’t ever remember getting any business advice. I learned on the job. What I learned is that if I really and truly put my clients first, things will work out for me in the end. It is tempting for a business owner to think of their revenue first, but I have always tried to put my client’s legal and financial interests first and trusted that my business will be okay too. I care for my clients’ money just like I would my own. To quote Clark Gable, “Frankly my dear, I DO give a damn.”

Every great franchisee had help buying a franchise. Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisees find the right franchise opportunity? Visit www.1851growthclub.com and start your journey.