Franchising is one of the most popular and effective ways to grow a brand, but it can be a complicated process without the right team behind you. Culhane Meadows provides services relating to day-to-day franchise and business law counseling, assist with drafting Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDD) and related agreements, licensing and contracting agreements, asset and stock purchase transactions, leasing matters, confidentiality and non-compete agreements, consulting and independent contractor agreements, system expansion, as well as franchise and business structuring, advising businesses desiring to expand through franchise and distributions systems, and compliance and regulatory issues.
We will work with you and your already established legal team or your general counsel and assist with matters that can be handled more economically and efficiently by our experienced team of attorneys with knowledge of franchise law. Specifically, our seasoned franchise attorneys are available to provide counsel and advice to prospective and current franchisors on a myriad of franchise-related legal issues, including:
- Deciding whether to franchise (or perhaps whether to close an existing franchise system)
- Determining if the business concept can be franchised
- Launching Franchise Program
- Developing effective state and national compliance programs
- Termination and nonrenewal of franchisees
- Negotiating changes in the Franchise Agreement
- Post-termination enforcement and brand/trade dress protection
Our attorneys also provide counsel and advice to franchisors on enforcement matters such as:
- Prohibited acts
- State and federal agency investigation and enforcement
- Agency actions in court
- Private Right of Action
- Criminal penalties
- Persons liable under guaranty agreements