1851

Honoree:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/hkestenbaum/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-franchise-legal-players-harold-kestenbaum-spadea-lignana-2726908" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Harold Kestenbaum</a> Role:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.spadealaw.com/attorney-profiles/harold-l-kestenbaum?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-franchise-legal-players-harold-kestenbaum-spadea-lignana-2726908" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Attorney, Spadea Lignana</a>Harold L. Kestenbaum, a distinguished franchise attorney, joined&nbsp;<a href="https://www.spadealaw.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-franchise-legal-players-harold-kestenbaum-spadea-lignana-2726908" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Spadea Lignana</a> in 2019, bringing with him decades of unrivaled experience in the franchise industry. Based in the Wantagh, New York office, Kestenbaum has focused on franchise law since 1977, serving numerous regional, national and international franchise companies across various industries.A member of the American Bar Association’s Antitrust Section and the International Franchise Association’s Supplier Forum Advisory Board, Kestenbaum has been instrumental in shaping franchise law. He is a founding member and past chairman of the New York State Bar Association’s Franchise, Distribution and Licensing Law Section and has received numerous accolades, including being named among the top 100 franchise lawyers in North America by Franchise Times and one of the three best franchise lawyers in the New York metro area by New York Magazine.With a background that includes serving as franchise and general counsel to Sbarro, Inc. and co-founding FranchiseIt Corporation, Kestenbaum literally wrote the book on franchising,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/You-Want-Franchise-Your-Business/dp/1599181894?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-franchise-legal-players-harold-kestenbaum-spadea-lignana-2726908" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">“So You Want To Franchise Your Business,”</a> which has been praised by industry leaders like Fred DeLuca of Subway. His passion for working with entrepreneurs and expanding business models via franchising is evident in his long-standing commitment to the field.1851 Franchise reached out to Kestenbaum to learn how franchisors can protect their brand and avoid legal mistakes. Check out his insights below.1851 Franchise: What do you see as the most important things a franchisor should do to protect their brand?Harold Kestenbaum: It is important for&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/franchisor-stories">franchisors</a> to make sure that their&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/franchisee-stories">franchisees</a> are following their brand standards; they also must ensure that they conduct their due diligence when they award franchises; they also need to enforce their brand standards when their franchisees are not following them.1851: How important is the information in Item 19?Kestenbaum: I think that having an&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/the-item-19-how-to-get-to-the-bottom-line-when-researching-franchise-concepts-2721856">Item 19</a> is very important when marketing their franchises. It gives the potential franchisees an idea of what the earnings potential is for the franchise they are investing in.1851: What is the single largest legal mistake brands make?Kestenbaum: Not listening to their franchise attorney. Over the 47 years that I have been representing franchisors, when my clients did not listen to my advice, they found themselves in trouble.1851: How do you stand out as a franchise law firm?Kestenbaum: Our firm is a&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/spadealignanafranchiseattorneys/info">boutique franchise law firm</a> that only represents franchisors. Our unique proprietary systems make us a leader in the franchise legal community. We care about our clients; they come first.1851: What is the best business advice you have received in your career?Kestenbaum: Provide the best service that you can and always put your clients first.Every great franchisee had help buying a franchise. Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisees find the right franchise opportunity? Visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.1851growthclub.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-franchise-legal-players-harold-kestenbaum-spadea-lignana-2726908" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.1851growthclub.com</a> and start your journey.

Meet Harold Kestenbaum: A Leading Franchise Attorney at Spadea Lignana

1851 Franchise

1851 Franchise’s annual showcase of the top players in the franchise industry is back. Meet Harold Kestenbaum, and hear his insights on legal issues in the franchise space.

Top Franchise Legal Players: Harold Kestenbaum, Spadea Lignana

top-franchise-legal-players-harold-kestenbaum-spadea-lignana

Lawn Doctor

Design with photo of John Perry and Lawn Doctor logo

How a 20-Year Industry Veteran Tripled His Sales With a Lawn Doctor Franchise

lawn-doctor-franchise-success-story-john-perry

Fitness Premier

The Secret to Fitness Franchise Success? It's Not Just the Workouts

fitness-premier-franchise-marketing-support

Fresh Coat

Photo of Fresh Coat vehicle with ladders on top

The Rise of Home Improvement Franchises: Why Now Is the Time to Invest

why-invest-home-improvement-franchise-fresh-coat

HomeTeam Inspection Service

Photo of HomeTeam inspector in red polo and khaki pants, walking by branded vehicle

Real Estate Today: Behind the Drywall: The Truth About Home Inspections

purpose-of-home-inspection

Dog Training Elite

Dog Training Elite Franchise - DTE - National Service Dog Month - 1851 Franchise

Celebrating Service Dogs: Why Proper Training Changes Lives — And How Dog Training Elite Is Leading the Way

dog-training-elite-national-service-dog-month

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 Development Website Builder

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

Design with American and Federal Reserve flags against light blue background

Federal Reserve Expected To Cut Rates by Quarter Point, a Move That Could Boost Franchise Growth

fed-rate-cut-boosts-franchise-growth

Potbelly to be Acquired by RaceTrac in $566 Million Deal 

racetrac-acquires-potbelly-in-566-million-deal

Health Care Hiring Slowdown Highlights In-Home Care Franchise Opportunities - 1851 Franchise Agg

Health Care Hiring Slowdown Highlights In-Home Care Franchise Opportunities 

health-care-hiring-slowdown-in-home-care-franchise-opportunities

Caribou Coffee Names Scott Kennedy CEO, Eyes Continued Growth

caribou-coffee-names-scott-kennedy-ceo-eyes-continued-growth

McDonald’s Launches New Extra Value Meals as Consumer Demand for Value Continues to Climb

mcdonalds-launches-extra-value-meals

DevHub - Meet the Supplier - 1851 Franchise

DevHub: Scalable Digital Marketing for Franchises and Multi-Location Brands

devhub-meet-the-supplier

Mike Revak - Chief Business Officer - Sky Zone - Franchise Marketing Leaders - 1851 Franchise

Top 25 Franchise Marketing Leaders: Mike Revak — President and Chief Business Officer, Sky Zone

top-25-franchise-marketing-leaders-mike-revak-chief-business-officer-sky-zone

Top 25 Franchise Marketing Leaders: Cathy Chavenet — Chief Marketing Officer, Paris Baguette

top-25-franchise-marketing-leaders-cathy-chavenet-chief-marketing-officer-paris-baguette

BooXkeeping: Making Bookkeeping Cool for Franchisors, Franchisees, and Small Business Owners

booxkeeping-making-bookkeeping-cool-for-franchisors-franchisees-and-small-business-owners

Hely and Hiral Patel Bring Their Longtime Dream to Life With The Brass Tap

brass-tap-franchise-pasadena-maryland-hely-hiral-patel

1851 Keyword - The Secret To Succeeding With a Part-Time Franchise Is Picking the Right Model

The Secret To Succeeding With a Part-Time Franchise Is Picking the Right Model

part-time-franchises-picking-the-right-model

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Ricki Oberoi and Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

Multi-Unit Wendy’s Operator Signs 12-Unit Deal With Layne’s Chicken Fingers

ricki-oberoi-laynes-chicken-fingers-growth

1851 Franchise Deep Dive graphic with Sparkle Squad logo

Sparkle Squad Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

franchise-deep-dive-sparkle-squad-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

Design with school-aged child standing on pencil with text "Education Franchises" and "<$500K"

Top Education Franchises Under $500K To Explore in 2025

top-education-franchises-under-500k

Top Franchise Legal Players: Harold Kestenbaum, Spadea Lignana

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS