Overview
Franchise and Distribution Business Advisors
Fredrikson & Byron’s Franchise and Distribution Group represents clients in every phase of franchising and distribution, both domestically and internationally. Our attorneys handle business and legal issues for companies ranging from start-ups to mature systems. Our franchise and distribution services encompass a broad spectrum of legal expertise, including preparing franchise/dealer and related agreements, compliance with franchise and dealer laws in the United States and overseas, business planning, termination of franchisees and dealers, dispute resolution, advertising issues, intellectual property issues, protection of trade secrets, sales compliance, dealing with franchisee advisory councils and associations, and antitrust issues.
We offer real-world advice and solutions to our franchise clients in a timely and efficient manner.”
We work with clients to structure franchise/distribution programs, and comply with franchise disclosure and registration laws or avoid becoming inadvertent franchise programs. As a result, our attorneys are intimately familiar with U.S. federal and state laws and foreign laws that apply to franchise and distribution companies doing business in the United States and overseas.
We also advise how best to avoid liability and disputes with franchisees and dealers. But when such disputes become inevitable, we offer our clients extensive experience in franchise and dealer litigation and dispute resolution.
Perhaps the greatest asset that our attorneys offer is a practical approach to legal issues relating to franchise and distribution systems. Members of our Franchise and Distribution Law Group stand ready to assist our clients in all aspects of establishing, maintaining and expanding their franchise systems and dealer networks. We offer real world advice and solutions to our clients in a timely and efficient manner.
We provide the following types of services:
- Structuring of Franchise/Distribution Programs
- Franchise/Distribution and Related Agreements
- Franchise Disclosure and Registration
- Franchise Sales Compliance
- International Franchising and Distribution
- Supplier Arrangements
- Business Planning and Structure
- Marketing Programs
- Intellectual Property Issues
- Advertising Issues
- Antitrust Issues
- Compliance with Franchise and Dealer Laws
- Franchisee Advisory Councils and Associations
- Acquiring Franchise Companies
- Technology License Agreements
- Subfranchising
- Counseling on Avoidance of Franchisor Liability
- Termination of Franchisees/Dealers and Other Business Relationship Issues
- Dealer Litigation
- Franchise Litigation
- Dealer Dispute Resolution
- Franchise Dispute Resolution
Members of our Franchise and Distribution Group have represented companies in the following industries:
- Restaurants
- Hotels
- Real Estate
- Business Aids and Services
- Healthcare
- Specialty Stores
- Beauty Salons and Supplies
- Educational Services
- Cleaning and Sanitation Services
- Employment Services
- Life Sciences
- Optical Products and Services
- Moving Services
- Environmental
- Fitness
- Food
- Gasoline
- Heavy Machinery
- Recreational Vehicles and Watercraft
- Printing Services
- Medical Devices
- Landscaping Supplies
- Pet Shops and Services
- Apparel
- Cosmetics
Members of our Franchise and Distribution Group focus on the following areas of franchise and distribution law:
- Domestic Franchise Law
- International Franchise Law
- Dealer Termination Laws
- Franchise Termination Laws
- Advertising Law
- Franchise and Dealer Litigation and Arbitration
- Employment Law
- Vicarious Liability and Unfair Business Practice Laws
- Real Estate Law, including aspects particular to Franchises
- Bankruptcy Law, including aspects particular to Franchises
- Trade Secrets and Intellectual Property Law
Bios
Primary Attorneys
Thomas B. Archbold
Emily E. Duke, Chair
Sharon K. Freier
Patrick J. Kelly
Jeffrey W. Post
Luis G. Reséndiz
Richard E. Weiner
Supporting Attorneys
Dean R. Karau
Douglas W. Kassebaum
Mary S. Ranum
Richard A. Ross