1851

<a href="https://www.polsinelli.com/professionals/jmazero?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-franchise-legal-players-joyce-mazero-polsinelli-co-chair-of-the-global-franchise-and-supply-network-group-2717093" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Joyce Mazero</a>, co-chair of <a href="https://www.polsinelli.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-franchise-legal-players-joyce-mazero-polsinelli-co-chair-of-the-global-franchise-and-supply-network-group-2717093" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Polsinelli’s</a> global franchise and supply network group, is a renowned and trusted franchise attorney with more than three decades of experience. With her in-depth expertise in litigation and business transactions, Mazero works to maximize competitive advantages in supply chains, leverage international relationships to increase client capital and expand opportunities and foster value among franchisors, franchisees and suppliers. She has helped franchise brands of all sizes across various industries and is recognized as one of the top leaders in franchise law.&nbsp;<h4>1851 Franchise: How did you end up specializing in franchise law? What drew you to the field?</h4>Joyce Mazero: Whether working on behalf of franchisors or franchisees, franchising permits a lawyer to act as a “general counsel,” providing advice and counsel on all aspects of business law and litigation, including corporate, intellectual property, bankruptcy and commercial contracting matters. I enjoy the diversity of the problems and the fact that the relationship with franchise clients is normally long-lived, allowing lawyers to counsel franchise companies at various important stages of their life cycle.<h4>1851: What do you think is the biggest legal hurdle facing the franchising industry in 2021/2022?</h4>Mazero: Federal and state attacks on the franchise model are seeking to characterize the franchise relationship as one of employment (especially those in which the franchisee also depends on independent contractor relationships), which often makes it challenging to advise emerging and mature franchise companies. The potential future impact of such cases and legislation is to have the franchise relationship characterized as an employment relationship, which would turn the franchise relationship on its proverbial legal and economic head.&nbsp;Similarly, certain actions by franchisors to provide more effective services to franchisees and their employees may subject the franchisor to being treated as a ”<a href="https://1851franchise.com/nlrbs-joint-employment-decision-what-franchisees-need-to-know-2714866">joint employer</a>” with its franchisee. This has resulted in many franchisors scaling back or restructuring services (often by contracting third parties to provide such services) that could be valuable to all franchisees.&nbsp;On another note, the <a href="https://1851franchise.com/declining-food-prices-may-soon-bring-relief-to-food-service-franchises-2716365">supply chains</a> of many franchise systems have been disrupted, especially in those cases where the franchisor depends on single or limited sources of supply. Franchise systems will need to make changes to increase resiliency in their supply chains rather than be reliant on price and on-demand purchasing strategies, which as a result of COVID-19, have left many franchise systems seeking alternative suppliers and bringing manufacturing and supply sources closer to them and their customers.<h4>1851: What is the most common mistake you see franchise brands making from a legal perspective?</h4>Mazero: Brands often find themselves in a dilemma over how to manage disputes with franchisees. Some franchisors stand firm on points that should be compromised or agreed upon with franchisees for the good of the relationship and the franchise system, while at the same time those same franchisors will compromise on points that are of fundamental importance to the integrity of the franchise system. Being able to determine what “wars” to fight fosters respect among franchisees who will admire a franchisor that knows the difference.<h4>1851: What do you love about working with franchises?</h4>Mazero: The variety of issues. One day I can be working on the sale of franchised business, the next a bankruptcy matter, and on another day I could be focused on supply contract disputes or on an FCPA investigation. The diversity of needs among franchisors and franchisees make it necessary to stay current on many areas of the law, and I enjoy the challenge.<h4>1851: What is one thing you think every prospective franchisee should know before joining a franchise brand?</h4>Mazero: A benchmark of almost every franchisee relationship is initial denial of any negative findings about the franchise opportunity and, notwithstanding such “<a href="https://1851franchise.com/top-5-fdd-red-flags-2709502">red flags</a>,” the franchisees’ desire to “trust” the franchisor. One hopes that that ultimate franchise relationship will be based on earned trust, but this does not negate the responsibility of the franchisee to investigate and objectively analyze information about the franchise opportunity.&nbsp;&nbsp;In particular, franchisees need to look beyond the information in the <a href="https://1851franchise.com/how-to-build-a-franchise-disclosure-document-2715712">franchise disclosure document </a>by obtaining information about the performance of the franchise from other franchisees and the underlying data that substantiates any financial performance representation. Prospective franchisees also need to understand whether owners are unable to find sites, are selling off their businesses or terminating the franchise in noticeable numbers. It is also important to understand to what degree the franchisor relies on revenue from being the supplier of critical items to the franchisee, takes an uncompetitive margin on goods or is dependent on sole suppliers.

Top Franchise Legal Players: Joyce Mazero, Polsinelli Co-Chair of the Global Franchise and Supply Network Group

1851 Franchise

Mazero spoke with 1851 Franchise to discuss her story, her predictions for the future of the franchising industry and more. 

top-franchise-legal-players-joyce-mazero-polsinelli-co-chair-of-the-global-franchise-and-supply-network-group

The Growth Coach

Building a Business and a Life With The Growth Coach

building-a-business-and-a-life-with-the-growth-coach

Dillas Quesadillas

The Top 7 Reasons To Buy a Dillas Primo Quesadillas Franchise

the-top-7-reasons-to-buy-a-dillas-primo-quesadillas-franchise

KLA Schools

A Day in the Life of KLA Schools Franchisee Sital Patel

a-day-in-the-life-of-a-kla-schools-franchisee

Keke's Breakfast Cafe

image of keke's breakfast cafe franchise Jon Ahrendt and John Ehrhard

Jon Ahrendt and John Ehrhard To Share Insights on Franchise Growth and Work-Life Balance With Keke’s Breakfast Cafe in Upcoming Webinar

kekes-breakfast-cafe-franchise-ahrendt-ehrhard-webinar

Minuteman Press International

Minuteman Press franchise owners Karen Fraielli and Valerie Chanoux with their 25-year Award.

Minuteman Press Franchisees Celebrate 25+ Years in Warwick, RI

minuteman-press-franchisees-celebrate-25-years-in-warwick-ri

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

How a Steady Economy Could Help Franchisors Plan Their Next Move

how-a-steady-economy-could-help-franchisors-plan-their-next-move

Bed Bath & Beyond - Franchise Expansion - Retail Strategy - 1851 Franchise

Bed Bath & Beyond Launches Franchise Model as Part of Comeback Strategy

bed-bath-beyond-franchise-expansion-retail-strategy

Senior Entrepreneurship - Franchising - 1851 Franchise

Senior Entrepreneurship Is Rising — And Franchising Is a Key Outlet

senior-entrepreneurship-franchising-silver-startups

U.S. Government Shutdown - Impact on Franchises - 1851 Franchise

Government Shutdown Stalls SBA Loans: How the Shutdown Could Impact Franchises

government-shutdown-impacts-sba-loans-tourism-franchises

Subway Franchisees Resist Expensive Remodel Directives

subway-franchisees-resist-expensive-remodel-directives

image  of Happinest franchise collection and all their brands that work together. 

The Happinest Advantage: A Marketing Partner Invested in Your Bottom Line

happinest-franchise-marketing-strategy

Ty McBride on Turning Preservan Into a Franchise: No Shortcuts, Just Persistence

ty-mcbride-on-turning-preservan-into-a-franchise-no-shortcuts-just-persistence

A Practical Playbook: Who To Call First When Franchising Your Business

franchising-your-business-who-to-call-first

Baker McKenzie: A Global Law Firm with a Leading Franchise and Brand Expansion Practice

baker-mckenzie-a-global-law-firm-with-a-leading-franchise-and-brand-expansion-practice

Top Early Childhood Education and Child Care Franchises for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Top Early Childhood Education and Child Care Franchises for 2025

early-childhood-education-child-care-franchises

NJCAR v. Ford - New Jersey Supreme Court Limits Standing Under Franchise Practices Act

New Jersey Supreme Court Limits Standing Under Franchise Practices Act

new-jersey-franchise-practices-act-njcar-v-ford

Power Eats: Smoothie King Rolls Out Food Nationwide To Fuel Franchise Growth

smoothie-king-food-menu-power-eats

Top Education Franchises To Consider for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Top Education Franchises To Consider Investing In for 2025

top-education-franchises-investment-opportunities

image of franchise deep dive from 1851 franchise on doody calls franchise authority brands

DoodyCalls Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

doodycalls-franchise-deep-dive

1851 Franchisee Spotlight graphic with photo of Barb Volk and KidStrong logo

Why This Orangetheory Fitness Franchise Owner Is Developing KidStrong Franchises

kidstrong-franchise-owner-barb-volk-2025

Top Franchise Legal Players: Joyce Mazero, Polsinelli Co-Chair of the Global Franchise and Supply Network Group

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS