1851

Honoree:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldady/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-franchise-legal-players-j-michael-dady-dady-gardner-pa-2726842" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">J. Michael Dady</a> Role:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dadygardner.com/attorney/dady-j-michael/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-franchise-legal-players-j-michael-dady-dady-gardner-pa-2726842" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Founding Partner, Dady &amp; Gardner, P.A.</a>J. Michael Dady, the founding partner at Dady &amp; Gardner, P.A., is regarded as one of the most prominent franchisee attorneys in America. His firm, based in Minneapolis, is dedicated to helping franchisees and dealers preserve and enhance the value of their businesses.&nbsp;Dady &amp; Gardner represents over 350 franchise and supplier organizations and 32 national franchisee and dealer associations, earning a reputation as the top franchisee law firm in America, according to Chambers USA in 2012. Dady’s other accolades include being listed in the Best Lawyers in America, membership in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and recognition as one of Minnesota's Top 100 Super Lawyers.1851 Franchise reached out to Dady to learn about 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?J. Michael Dady: Franchisors should have their own test stores up and operating, successfully, at both their top line revenue numbers and their bottom line cash flow numbers, before they ever try to sell a franchise to a prospective franchisee. Franchisors should continue to operate a reasonable number of stores on a continuing basis, so that they can know, and live, the difference between just generating more top line revenues, at the expense of bottom line cash flows, versus generating more of both (as franchisors without operating stores themselves tend to focus on the former, at the expense of the latter).1851: How important is the information in Item 19?Dady: Franchisors should live by the rule that they may only talk to prospective franchisees about revenues, expenses and cash flows if they put complete answers to those topics in Item 19. Thereafter, they should only say what is in their Item 19 disclosures to their prospective franchisees, as franchise laws in most jurisdictions prohibit franchisors from discussing revenues, expenses, or cash flows not included in Item 19 of the franchise disclosure document. This legal obligation is “honored in the breach” too often, which causes real heartache for both franchisees, who rely on what they’ve been told and then end up in a failing concept, and for franchisors, who end up being sued and losing for violating this fundamental legal principle.1851: What is the single largest mistake brands make legally?Dady: Violating the law related to what franchisors — including the franchise sales agents many franchisors hire to sell — are prohibited from saying to their prospective franchisees about revenues, expenses and cash flows that are not also set forth in Item 19 of the franchise disclosure documents provided to their prospective franchisees.1851: How do you stand out as a franchise law firm?Dady: By being precisely accurate in our factual presentations to franchisors and their lawyers — and by being known to be that — and by being known to do our best to resolve all of our disputes for our franchisee clients with their franchisors by:<ol><li>Dealing directly with the franchisors and their lawyers, to try to negotiate a mutually-satisfactory resolution.</li><li>Engaging good mediators to engage in meaningful mediations, requiring key decision makers to be present at our mediations from both sides, such that these facilitated negotiations are successful far more often than not.</li><li>Being known to be particularly skilled and persistent advocates for our franchisee clients every step of the way, including through trials and arbitrations on the merits.</li></ol>For additional information on what we think causes us to stand out as a preeminent law firm for franchisees, see our website at<a href="http://www.dadygardner.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-franchise-legal-players-j-michael-dady-dady-gardner-pa-2726842" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">&nbsp;www.dadygardner.com</a>.1851: What is the best business advice you have received in your career?Dady: Be honest and respectful to everyone, including, of course, both our clients and our adversaries. Do our best to use all the gifts we have been given to do our best for our deserving clients, to maximize their chances for being successful in achieving their stated business objectives just as effectively and efficiently as possible. Be a lifelong learner and continuously improve our skills in our chosen profession, helping those who need and deserve professional help. These lifelong lessons were given to me, both directly and by example, from my best friend in law school, former Federal Judge Diana Murphy, of the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota.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-j-michael-dady-dady-gardner-pa-2726842" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.1851growthclub.com</a> and start your journey.

Legal Insights from J. Michael Dady - Top Franchise Attorney | 1851 Franchise

1851 Franchise

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

Top Franchise Legal Players: J. Michael Dady, Dady & Gardner, P.A.

top-franchise-legal-players-j-michael-dady-dady-gardner-pa

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: J. Michael Dady, Dady & Gardner, P.A.

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS