1851

<ul><li>Honoree:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-whitfill-7777236/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-franchise-legal-players-ryan-whitfill-cm-law-2726987" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Ryan Whitfill</a></li><li>Role:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cm.law/attorney/ryan-whitfill/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-franchise-legal-players-ryan-whitfill-cm-law-2726987" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Partner, CM Law</a></li></ul>Ryan Whitfill is a seasoned transactional attorney specializing in franchise and licensing law, having honed his expertise at some of the world's largest law firms. His extensive experience encompasses advising national and international franchisors, franchisees, licensors and area developers on all legal facets of structuring, operating and expanding their franchise systems in compliance with U.S. and international laws. He has represented a wide array of franchise concepts across numerous industries, including quick-service and full-service restaurants, childcare services, automotive and retail, among others.&nbsp;1851 Franchise reached out to Whitfill 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 franchisors should do to protect their brand?&nbsp;Ryan Whitfill:&nbsp;The two most important things a franchisor should do to protect their brand are: (1) get their trademarks registered with the USPTO (on the USPTO’s Principal Registry) as early as possible and actively monitor the Internet for anyone infringing on the registered marks; and (2) be diligent in enforcing brand standards for quality of products and services provided by franchisees so that every customer has the same great experience at a franchised location as they would at franchisor’s original company-owned location.1851: How important is the information in Item 19 of the Franchise Disclosure Document?&nbsp;Whitfill: It is critically important for both the franchisor and the prospective franchisee. I always encourage my clients to include FPRs [financial performance representations] in their FDDs so that prospects have some insight into the results achieved by existing company-owned and franchised locations. Almost all prospects will want to have insight into the financial results achieved by existing locations, so a franchisor without an FPR in Item 19 is at a distinct disadvantage (versus competitors with an Item 19 FPR) in the franchise sales process.1851: What is the single largest legal mistake brands make?&nbsp;Whitfill:&nbsp;Not seeking advice from a seasoned franchise attorney, which can result in violations of the franchise disclosure laws. While some franchisors are tempted to take extreme measures to avoid legal fees and some franchisors actively seek to evade state or federal franchise disclosure laws (for example by offering “licenses” to try to avoid franchise laws), those franchisors often end up spending more time and money on the back end cleaning up the legal mess they created while trying to take shortcuts on the front end.1851: How do you stand out as a franchise law firm?&nbsp;Whitfill:&nbsp;We try to stand out by providing excellent client service and producing excellent work at a fair price.1851: What is the best business advice you have received in your career?&nbsp;Whitfill:&nbsp;Be yourself, and treat others as you would want to be treated.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-ryan-whitfill-cm-law-2726987" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.1851growthclub.com</a> and start your journey.

Ryan Whitfill - CM Law - 2024 Franchise Legal Players - 1851 Franchise

Top Franchise Legal Player: Ryan Whitfill, CM Law 

1851 Franchise

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

Top Franchise Legal Players: Ryan Whitfill, CM Law

top-franchise-legal-players-ryan-whitfill-cm-law

Comfort Keepers

Comfort Keepers - Midyear Press Release 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Comfort Keepers® Hits Mid-Year Stride With Strong Franchise Growth and Rising Demand for In-Home Care

comfort-keepers-franchise-midyear-momentum-2025

petbar

petbar - Garrett Dewan - Why I'm Investing - 1851 Franchise

Why Garrett Dewan Is Choosing To Reinvest in petbar

petbar-franchise-austin-garrett-dewan-multi-unit

Paris Baguette

NJBIZ: Paris Baguette Ramps Up Expansion With New Franchises, Facility and 2030 Growth Target

njbiz-paris-baguette-ramps-up-expansion-with-new-franchises-facility-and-2030-growth-target

Busy Bee Jumpers

Top 10 Reasons To Buy a Busy Bee Jumpers Franchise in 2025

top-10-reasons-to-buy-a-busy-bee-jumpers-franchise-in-2025

Home Halo

home-halo-former-athletes-frachisees-image

Why Former College Athletes Can Make Winning Home Halo Franchise Owners

former-college-athletes-home-halo-franchise

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

Wendy's CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down - Breaking News - 1851 Franchise

Wendy’s CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down Amid Challenges, Leaving Franchisees Facing Uncertainty

wendys-ceo-transition-kirk-tanner-franchisee-uncertainty

"Come in, We're OPEN" sign against abstract background

Small Business Optimism Dips, Raising Concerns for Franchise Owners

small-business-optimism-dips-raising-concerns-for-franchise-owners

Photo of Roof Scientist truck and trailer

Roof Scientist Expands Into Northern Indianapolis as Entrepreneur Dale Speckman Launches New Business in Fishers

roof-scientist-expands-into-northern-indianapolis

Image of Donald Trump pointing with red stripes in the background

August 1 Tariff Deadline Is Said to Have ‘No Extensions’: What This Could Mean for Franchises

august-1-tariff-deadline-franchise-impact

What June’s Jobs Report Means for the Franchise Industry

what-junes-jobs-report-means-for-the-franchise-industry

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

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

How Franchise Brands Can Prepare for the Rise of AI-Driven Advertising

how-franchise-brands-can-prepare-for-the-rise-of-ai-driven-advertising

Coffee & Analytics graphic with photo of Nick Powills

Franchise Growth Is Messy. Lead Gen Is Uncomfortable. Let’s Fix It.

franchise-lead-generation-insights

Top 25 Franchise Marketing Leaders: Kelsey McManemin — Vice President of Marketing, HTeaO

top-25-franchise-marketing-leaders-kelsey-mcmanemin-vice-president-of-marketing-hteao

Kansas Couple Revitalizes Local Childcare With Children’s Lighthouse

From Corporate Careers to Community Roots: Kansas Couple Revitalizes Local Childcare With Children’s Lighthouse

kansas-couple-opens-childrens-lighthouse-gardner-olathe

From Prescriptions to Pastries: Kari Khandelwal Creates a Comforting Community Bakery 

From Prescriptions to Pastries: Kari Khandelwal Creates a Comforting Community Bakery in Overland Park, Kansas

paris-baguette-franchise-overland-park-khandelwal

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores - Agg - 1851 Franchise

Top Franchise Legal Players: Ryan Whitfill, CM Law

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS