Franchising Law Overview

International Franchising Law Attorney

What Is Franchising? Selling a company's goods or services with the proper legal authorization clearly is an important and successful form of business. It is important, however, as it is in any business deal, to protect oneself by becoming well-informed. Sound, up-front franchise business advising is critical to a franchisee's long-term success.

I am U.S. and international franchising lawyer, Mario L. Herman. I represent prospective franchisees in existing franchise relationships, current franchise owners, and former franchise owners with regard to both domestic and international franchising law.

Whether to discuss the different forms of franchising or the potential pitfalls of your undertaking, contact me, Mario Herman, for thorough, knowledgeable representation and more than 20 years of franchising law experience.

ABOUT FRANCHISING

There are primarily two forms of franchising: product/trade name franchising and business format franchising. The simplest form of franchising is product/trade name franchising. In this relationship, the franchisor owns the right to the name or trademark and sells that right to a franchisee. Examples of product/trade name franchises include petroleum distributors and soft drink bottlers such as Coke and Pepsi.

In business format franchising, a broader and ongoing relationship exists between the franchisee and franchisor. In essence, the franchisee is purchasing the franchisor’s expertise, experience and method of doing business. Business format franchisors provide a full range of services, including site selection, training, product supply, marketing plans, and assistance in obtaining financing. Key elements of a business format franchise include a marketing strategy and plan, operating manuals, and a uniform business concept. The franchisee pays an up-front franchisee fee and ongoing royalty fees which enable the franchisor to provide training, research and development, and ongoing support to its franchisees. Fast food restaurants such as McDonald’s and Burger King are examples of such franchises.

Other business format franchises include convenience stores, hotels, real estate agencies and many others.

Contact me, Mario Herman, to discuss U.S and international franchising law.

Mario L. Herman, International Franchisee Attorney, serves international clients throughout Europe, India, Central America, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, and Poland, and throughout the U.S., including New York (New York City), California (Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco), Texas (Dallas, Houston), Illinois (Chicago), Pennsylvania (Philadelphia), Arizona, Georgia (Atlanta), North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia (Richmond), Massachusetts, Mississippi, and Washington D.C. Mr. Herman is licensed to practice law in Washington, D.C. Mr. Herman affiliates with local counsel, both foreign and domestic, as the need arises for a particular project.