1851

<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-schnell-01107948?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-franchise-legal-players-brian-schnell-partner-and-chair-of-franchise-practice-at-faegre-drinker-2717139" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Brian Schnell</a> is a franchise lawyer who has been working in franchising his entire professional career.&nbsp;“There wasn't a franchise specialty in law school, but it was just good fortune that the firm that I started at had a franchise practice and their top client was Dairy Queen,” Schnell said. “I actually had an office at the Dairy Queen, and ice cream at the office every day is never a bad thing.”Now, after 34 years in the franchise space, the <a href="https://www.faegredrinker.com/en?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-franchise-legal-players-brian-schnell-partner-and-chair-of-franchise-practice-at-faegre-drinker-2717139" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Faegre Drinker</a> partner is imparting his wisdom about the importance of the culture of collaboration within the industry.&nbsp;“The franchisor-franchisee relationship is so unique and has so many different components, and that foundation is so important,” he said. “And at that foundation is the franchise disclosure document. A lot of franchise lawyers will say that it protects the franchisor, but I always say a strong, robust franchise agreement protects the brand.”A lot of emerging brands, Schnell said, don’t appreciate the collaborative leadership that’s necessary to run a successful franchise.&nbsp;“I would shout that from the rooftops to my franchise system: Collaborative leadership is so important to how you build and grow,” he said. “Franchisees aren't shareholders, but they certainly are brand stakeholders who oftentimes have invested everything they have in that business. Franchisees need franchisors, and vice versa.”A good franchisor, Schnell said, doesn't give up the decision-making authority but includes its franchisees and other stakeholders in the process.“It’s not a democracy, but to franchise leadership, I say: Believe in franchisee input,” Schnell said. “They want a voice, not a vote.”Watch the full interview with Schnell above, or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYYPmQvl6nw&utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-franchise-legal-players-brian-schnell-partner-and-chair-of-franchise-practice-at-faegre-drinker-2717139" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">click here to watch it on YouTube.</a>

Brian Schnell | Top Franchise Legal Players | 1851 Franchise

1851 Franchise

Since 1987, this franchise lawyer and partner has been advocating for something he believes in: the collaborative culture and unique relationship between a franchisor and its franchisees.

Top Franchise Legal Players: Brian Schnell, Partner and Chair of Franchise Practice at Faegre Drinker

top-franchise-legal-players-brian-schnell-partner-and-chair-of-franchise-practice-at-faegre-drinker

Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions

Filta Franchisee Feature - Leo Tartaglia - 1851 Franchise

Doubling Down on Dedication: Why Leo Tartaglia Reaffirmed His Commitment to Filta After a Decade

filta-franchise-leo-tartaglia

Melting Pot

Melting Pot team holding $1.2 million check addressed to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Melting Pot’s Million-Dollar Mission: A 20-Year Partnership With St. Jude That’s Changing Lives

melting-pot-st-jude-partnership

Paris Baguette Canada

Paris Baguette CDO Nick Scaccio Talks Franchise Growth, Training and Innovation 

Paris Baguette CDO Nick Scaccio Talks Franchise Growth, Training and Innovation on the Late Night Restaurant Show Podcast

paris-baguette-coo-nick-scaccio-franchise-growth-innovation

Comfort Keepers

Comfort Keepers - Butch and Niki Irwin - Father's Day - 1851 Franchise

A Legacy of Love: A Father-Daughter Journey To Bring Comfort Home

comfort-keepers-monroe-butch-niki-irwin

Minuteman Press International

Minuteman Press Franchise Owner Corey Sanders at his center in Greenville, SC.

Minuteman Press Franchise Review: From Business Consulting to Printing

minuteman-press-franchise-review-from-business-consulting-to-printing

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

Dave’s Hot Chicken Sold to Roark Capital in $1 Billion Deal to Fuel Global Expansion

daves-hot-chicken-sold-to-roark-capital-in-1-billion-deal-to-fuel-global-expansion

Homebuyers Keep Buying — And That’s Good News for Home Service Franchises - 1851 Franchise

Homebuyers Keep Buying — And That’s Good News for Home Service Franchises

homebuyers-keep-buying-and-thats-good-news-for-home-service-franchises

AI Could Push Unemployment to 20% — Fueling a Surge in First-Time Franchise Buyers - 1851 Franchise

AI Could Push Unemployment to 20% — Fueling a Surge in First-Time Franchise Buyers

ai-unemployment-impact-white-collar-job-loss

How To Sell Just One Franchise: What You’ll Learn at FranCamp NJ 2025

how-to-sell-just-one-franchise-what-youll-learn-at-francamp-nj-2025

House Passes Tax Relief Package With Key Benefits for Small Businesses and Franchises

house-passes-small-business-tax-relief-bill-2025

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

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

Guide To Selling Franchises: How To Set the Right Expectations

guide-to-selling-franchises-how-to-set-the-right-expectations

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

ultimate-guide-to-selling-franchises

How Car Sales Taught Buddy's Home Furnishings’ Mitchell Lee the Secrets of Franchise Development

how-car-sales-taught-buddys-home-furnishings-mitchell-lee-the-secrets-of-franchise-development

Sola Salons Franchisee Grows Salon Freedom Into a Multi-State Powerhouse 

sola-salons-franchisee-grows-salon-freedom-into-a-multi-state-powerhouse

Dan Yangas Brings Family Flooring Legacy Full Circle With Footprints Floors Franchise in Naperville 

Dan Yangas Brings Family Flooring Legacy Full Circle With Footprints Floors Franchise in Naperville, Illinois

dan-yangas-brings-family-flooring-legacy-full-circle-with-footprints-floors-franchise-in-naperville-illinois

What You Need To Know About Low-Cost Franchise Opportunities

what-you-need-to-know-about-low-cost-franchise-opportunities

busy-bee-jumpers-consumer-positioning-image-kids-jumping-bounce-house

Delivering Fun With a Smile: How Busy Bee Jumpers Earns 5-Star Raves From Families Across New England

busy-bee-jumpers-party-rentals

Top Franchise Legal Players: Brian Schnell, Partner and Chair of Franchise Practice at Faegre Drinker

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS