There is a second type of encroachment in franchising, dealing with a different “turf” battle. What, if any, boundaries are there for the services lawyers and consultants provide to their clients?

Most franchise systems have procedures in place for requesting approval of new products or services. Often the new items, after thorough research by the franchisor’s staff, are tested in company-owned locations or in franchisee-owned locations.

When MSA works with a client as part of a litigation strategy team, our role is generally to facilitate business discussions focused on preserving the value of the franchise system, and keep the franchisor-franchisee business relationship on a separate track.

In franchising, a tension often exists between the lawyer and the consultant because many issues don’t neatly fall into purely legal or purely business buckets.

Of all the inherent advantages in owning a franchise, the one overriding strength is franchising’s ability to replicate the consumer experience consistently from one location to another.

An expert in franchise law can help you understand what you are getting yourself into, and is your best protection against succumbing to what might kindly be described as your “entrepreneurial fever.”

It’s estimated that over $100 billion in seed capital is invested in businesses in the United States by friends and family. The angel investor market accounts for approximately $80 billion in seed capital investment.

One approach to funding your franchise is through traditional financing. Another is to find a partner, or one or more investors, willing to invest in the deal.

Considering selling your franchise? This article explains some of the important differences between an asset sale vs. a stock sale.