Guides and resources

Hiring a lawyer

Franchise lawyer: what one does and how to tell if one fits

A franchise lawyer advises on franchise agreements and disputes. Most work for one side, so the first thing to find out is which side.

Franchisee attorney: what to look for in a franchisee-side lawyer

A franchisee attorney acts for the franchise owner, not the brand. Licensing in the right state and the forum clause matter as much as experience.

Franchise termination lawyer: what to bring and why timing matters

At the termination stage a lawyer will want the notice, the agreement and a dated record. Dates and the risk of continuing to operate drive the urgency.

Franchise default notice attorney: help at the notice stage

A default notice is usually the earliest formal step. A lawyer at this stage reads the notice against the agreement and any state statute.

Franchise dispute lawyer: forum, ADR and what fits a dispute

Disputes go beyond termination. Where one is heard, and whether mediation or arbitration comes first, depends mostly on the agreement.

How to check a lawyer's license before you share your documents

Each state licenses and disciplines its own lawyers. The ABA points to state agencies and says it cannot refer you to an attorney.

Questions to ask a franchise lawyer at a first consultation

A list of questions on side, licensing, scope, fees and timing, plus what to bring so the first meeting is not spent on basics.

Free and low-cost franchise help: associations and referral pointers

Franchisee associations, the ABA's pointers and court mediation programs exist, but each describes only itself and none replaces a licensed lawyer.

Your notice and your contract

What a franchise default notice states, and what to look for in yours

The parts a default notice normally covers according to franchise lawyers and the FTC, and why the notice and your own agreement set your dates.

Documents to gather after a franchise default notice

The papers the sources point to: the notice and how it arrived, the agreement, Item 17, and written records of any cure effort or payment plan.

Item 17 of the franchise disclosure document

Item 17 of the franchise disclosure document summarizes renewal, termination, cure, non-compete and dispute terms. It points to the contract and does not replace it.

Cross-default and repeated default in franchise agreements

What the sources establish about repeated defaults, with examples from Washington and California statutes, and what they do not establish about cross-default.

Incurable defaults: when a franchise agreement or statute allows no cure period

No source read defines an incurable default for all contracts. This page shows where Item 17 puts it, and which state statutes list grounds that need no cure.

Personal guaranty and franchise termination: what the sources say

Only one federal point is sourced: Item 10 of the FDD must disclose whether someone other than the franchisee personally guarantees franchisor financing.

Liquidated damages after termination

Some franchise agreements set a payment in advance if the franchise ends early. One New York court upheld a clause based on average royalties; other states differ.

Post-termination non-compete clauses in franchise agreements

Where the clause is summarized, what the FTC says it typically looks like, why the FTC's 2024 non-compete rule does not change it, and two court examples.

Using the brand after termination: what the Lanham Act says

What two Lanham Act sections say about using a mark without consent, the injunction presumption in section 1116, and why former franchisees are warned about it.

Forum, cost and federal rules

The FTC Franchise Rule and termination

The federal Franchise Rule is a pre-sale disclosure rule. It makes franchisors disclose termination terms; it does not set when a franchise may be ended.

Forum-selection clauses in franchise agreements

A forum-selection clause names where a dispute must be heard. Federal courts give valid clauses heavy weight, and some state franchise statutes limit them.

Arbitration costs: what the AAA fee schedule says

The American Arbitration Association publishes filing and final fees by claim size. This page reads the schedule as written, and says what it leaves out.

Mediation in franchise disputes: what the sources say about fees and effect

Where mediation shows up in the disclosure document, the AAA's per-party filing fee, one court program that is free, and what the sources do not say.

Going to court: costs and timing

What published sources say about federal court filing fees, how long federal civil cases take, lawyer rates and fee-shifting, with the year and meaning of each number.

Preliminary injunctions and TROs in franchise disputes

The federal four-factor test, the 14-day limit on a TRO without notice, the Lanham Act presumption, emergency arbitration, and a few state examples.

Petroleum franchises and the PMPA

The Petroleum Marketing Practices Act covers motor fuel franchises only. It lists the grounds for termination and non-renewal and requires notice, in general 90 days.

The Automobile Dealer Day in Court Act

A federal law that lets an automobile dealer sue a manufacturer for failing to act in good faith, including in terminating or not renewing the franchise.

State law, state by state

California franchise termination law: 60 days' notice and a cure period

What California's franchise relations chapter says about good cause, 60 days' notice, a cure period capped at 75 days, non-renewal and remedies.

New Jersey franchise termination law: 60 days' notice, and who is covered

What the New Jersey franchise act says about good cause and 60 days' written notice, the coverage tests that decide whether it applies, and remedies.

Washington franchise termination law: good cause and the 30-day cure limit

What chapter 19.100 RCW says about good cause, a cure period that need never exceed 30 days, exceptions, non-renewal, remedies and waivers.

Minnesota franchise termination law: 90 days' notice and a 60-day cure

What Minnesota Statutes 80C.14 says about good cause, 90 days' written notice, a 60-day cure, 180 days for non-renewal, and the three-year limit on suits.

Wisconsin franchise termination law: the Fair Dealership Law

What Wisconsin's Fair Dealership Law says about good cause, 90 days' written notice, a 60-day cure, who bears the burden, and remedies.

Illinois franchise termination law: good cause and a 30-day cure limit

What the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act of 1987 says about good cause, a cure period that need never exceed 30 days, non-renewal, remedies and time limits.

Indiana franchise termination law

What Indiana Code chapter 23-2-2.7 says about good cause, 90 days' notice, non-renewal and remedies, read from a mirror of the statute.

Iowa franchise termination law

Iowa Code 537A.10 requires good cause, written notice and a 30 to 90 day cure before termination. Older agreements fall under chapter 523H.

Michigan franchise termination law

Michigan's Franchise Investment Law voids termination clauses without good cause and caps the needed cure at 30 days. Read from a statute mirror.

Hawaii franchise termination law

HRS 482E-6 requires good cause and a reasonable written chance to cure, without stating a number of days. Read from a statute mirror.

Connecticut franchise termination law

Conn. Gen. Stat. 42-133f requires good cause and 60 days' written notice stating the cause. The statute states no cure period.

Missouri franchise termination law

RSMo 407.405 requires 90 days' written notice before a franchise is cancelled, with listed exceptions. It sets no good cause rule and no cure period.

Nebraska franchise termination law

Nebraska's Franchise Practices Act limits good cause to substantial non-compliance and requires 60 days' written notice. It states no cure period.

Delaware franchise termination law

Delaware's Franchise Security Law (6 Del. C. 2551 to 2557) covers only franchised distributors. It requires good cause and 90 days' notice.

Rhode Island franchise termination law

The Rhode Island Fair Dealership Act requires 60 days' written notice with a 30 day cure, three cures per year, and shorter periods for set grounds.

States without franchise relationship laws

Texas, Florida, New York and Maryland have no general franchise termination statute, per the sources read. What that means, and what was not confirmed.