Franchise Law Firm Serving Denver and Colorado

Are you buying a franchise business? Or maybe you are ready to franchise your concept? Either way, the franchise attorneys at Zakhem Law have you covered with extensive experience in handling franchise law for over eight years both for the franchisee and the franchisor. Representing both sides has provided us with a unique and comprehensive understanding of franchise law.

Ready to Franchise Your Concept?

So you have a great concept and you are ready to franchise. Congratulations on a very notable achievement! As a franchisor, you will fall under FTC regulation and be subject to many additional laws. Setting up solid contracts and documentation are crucial to the success and risk management of your investment. Our Franchise Lawyers are uniquely qualified to help you draft and revise the binding contracts that you will need to protect your enterprise:

• FDD (Franchise Disclosure Document): Previously referred to as the UFOC (Uniform Franchise Offerings Circular), the FDD is the legal document that sets the terms of the franchise agreement between you and the franchisee. Kept on file with the FTC, this is the most important agreement regarding your franchise so you cannot afford to have ambiguous language.

• Master Franchise Agreements: One way to jump-start your franchise growth is to sell areas to Mater Franchisees, who are responsible for growing and supporting a region.

• Distribution & Vendor Contracts: Another added benefit of franchising is using economies of scale to leverage your buying power throughout your vendor network. Vendor rebates, payment terms, hidden fees and clawbacks all affect your cost of goods.

• Licensing: In addition to franchising, licensing is another viable revenue stream that allows you to extend your distribution under set terms and conditions. The downside to licensing is that you could have less control over the product / service than by traditional franchising if the licensing agreement is not comprehensive.

• Intellectual Property Rights: The reason people want to buy franchises is that you already did the tough work for them: identifying a market, developing a profitable business model, and designing the brand identity. Your brand value and your ongoing revenue are what drive your enterprise valuation.

If you have questions about any of the issues listed above, schedule a free consultation with one of our Franchise Attorneys.

Looking to Buy a Franchise Business?

Opening a franchise is hard work, especially if you don’t have extensive industry experience. Your hands will be full with the operational aspects of running your new business. Lighten your load and let our franchise lawyers guide you through the legal nuances of starting your own franchise business:

• FDD (Franchise Disclosure Document): Previously referred to as the UFOC (Uniform Franchise Offerings Circular), the FDD is the legal document that sets the terms of the franchise agreement between you and the franchisor. This critical document includes everything from royalty payment, to advertising agreements to purchasing agreements. Make sure you know your rights under the FDD.

• Real Estate Contracts: Rent and other overhead costs can eat into your profit margins quickly. Under a typical franchise agreement, the franchisor should help in selecting a location and negotiating the terms of the lease. That said, every real estate agreement is unique and you are the one bound by the contract.

• Equipment Leases and Vendor Contracts: Although most franchisors have standard agreements with their vendor network, specific terms can be set for individual franchisees. The same goes for leasing restaurant equipment.

• Employment Laws: Employment laws can get complicated. The last thing you need upon starting your business is to deal with suits from disgruntled employees. Know your rights as an employer and mitigate risk.

If you have questions about any of the issues listed above, schedule a free consultation with one of our Franchise Attorneys.