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<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

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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

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