Beginning and Growing Your Business with Franchising

Franchising has long been part of the American dream as a method for business development and growth. Today nearly 1 in 12 businesses is franchised. Guidance and legal services in franchising is a favorite practice area at Amen Business Law, L.L.C. Franchise attorney Vicky L. Amen has counseled business owners contemplating a franchise model and worked in the legal departments of franchisors. Her experience, perspective and passion for franchising can help you with:

Prospective Franchisors

Some successful businesses begin with a franchise model, some start a business with the eventual goal of franchising, and some businesses grow and then begin franchising as a method for continued business growth. Amen Business Law, L.L.C. can optimize your business planning at every stage:

• Step you can take when planning and building a business to prepare for franchising
• Indications that your business is ready to begin franchising
• Anticipated cost and time to start your franchise
• Efficient planning considerations for starting your franchise
• Drafting and Negotiating Your Franchise Agreement
• Drafting a Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) that best represents and protects your business
• Protecting Intellectual Property and Trade Secrets
• Training and Collaboration with your Business Team to establish best processes for franchise agreement negotiations

Efficiencies, Value and Protection with General Counsel Options

You may be starting at the beginning with your franchise business and need complete legal counsel and assistance. Amen Business Law, L.L.C. can work with you and your business team to make the process efficient and affordable. As an established franchisor with current registrations and contract processes you may need limited legal counsel and services to cost effectively assist and supplement your team.

From full counsel to limited legal counsel needs, Vicky L. Amen knows and likes franchise work. Amen Business Law, L.L.C. is experienced with successfully:

• Filing Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) Renewals
• Proposing and Drafting Optimum FDD Revisions
• Negotiating Franchise Agreements
• Drafting and Negotiating Service Contracts
• Assessing Risk and Providing Risk Mitigation Options
• Addressing Compliance: franchise renewals, city, county, state licenses and registrations
• Implementing Best Practices for Documenting and Serving Default Notices
• Drafting and Negotiating Settlement Proposals for Franchisee – Franchisor disputes
• Terminating Franchisees
• Reviewing and Drafting Buy-Sell Agreements
• Managing Intellectual Property Issues: cease and desist notices, trademark and domain name registrations, confidentiality, nondisclosure and noncompete agreements and clauses, telephone and domain name assignments

Prospective Franchisees

If franchising is the right choice for your investment or career, the best time to protect your investment of time and money in a franchise is before signing a franchise agreement. Amen Business Law, L.L.C. has unique franchise law experience and can assist you through every stage of your franchise development:

• Summarizing and assessing the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and the Franchise Agreement
• Negotiating the purchase of a franchise from a franchisor or a current franchisee
• Creating your corporate entity and operating agreements
• Real Estate Issues: lease, sub-lease, property tax valuation assessment, zoning
• Franchisee Associations and options for ongoing collaboration with your franchisor
• Designing Contract and Compliance Best Processes
• Providing General Counsel for Employment Issues
• Assessing Franchise Advisory Councils and Franchisee Association formats and issues
• Drafting and Negotiating Area Development Agreements

Amen Business Law, L.L.C. is committed to quality, cost-effective representation so that your business can grow and add value. If you are a franchisor in multiple states, franchise attorney Vicky L. Amen will give you options to efficiently and effectively prepare your Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and comply with registration requirements.