Franchising

Franchising clients require cross-disciplinary legal expertise. Morse, Barnes-Brown & Pendleton is uniquely experienced in the areas of most concern to franchise business owners, including:

• Business and corporate law
• Intellectual property and licensing
• Employment and immigration
• Business taxation and tax controversy.

Our cross-disciplinary approach ensures that our clients receive the deep expertise required for every aspect of franchise operations, such as:

• Business formation
• Financing and taxation
• Structuring and negotiating contractual relationships
  • Supply agreements
  • Distribution agreements
  • License agreements
• Disclosure (UFOC) materials
• Federal regulatory compliance
• State regulatory compliance, including registration
• Trademarks and advertising
• Real estate leases
• Pricing issues
• Employment
• Purchase and sales of franchised businesses.

Some examples of recent value-added franchise experience include:

• Revising the franchise agreement for a national chain to require franchisees to purchase from designated vendors while avoiding the potential for antitrust issues — resulting in increased quality control and profitability for the client.
• Assisting a resturant franchisee to secure territorial protection in later years in exchange for his early commitment to a new and novel franchise concept through a collaborative solution involving an exclusive development agreement.

To learn more about how we can help to ensure your success on either side of the franchise business, please contact Thomas Dunn to discuss your specific needs.