Business and Tax Lawyer Blog

The entry fee for a lifetime membership in the Freedom Boat Club Franchise is $5000. Unfortunately, Jacksonville, Florida residents who paid the membership fee may be out of luck. Last August, Freedom Franchise Sales terminated its contracts with two Jacksonville Florida Boat Club locations; one at Intracoastal Waterway and the other at Julington Creek.

Freedom Franchise then reopened the Julington Creek location under company-owned management. While members are welcome to continue using that location, many members who signed up for the Intracoastal location say that the Julington Creek location is less convenient and does not have the offshore fishing boats that the Intracoastal location offered. The franchise is not offering any refunds to disgruntled members.

As a general rule, consumers have little recourse to get membership fees refunded when a business closes its doors. The one exception to that general rule in Florida would be health clubs; Florida bans lifetime health club memberships, limiting them to three years. The club is also required to post a bond with the state that would be used to reimburse members if the club went out of business.

However, for other types of clubs, potential members need to review the membership contract very carefully before signing. Individuals should not hesitate to ask a club to add language that would allow them to get out of the contract and get their money back if a particular location closes. If written correctly, this added language could provide a contractual claim for reimbursement - confirming the specific amount to be returned to the member on club closure of a specific location and establishing a process to secure the repayment. Of course, if the entire business closes down, it may still be difficult or impossible to get your money back.

A spokesperson for Freedom Franchise Sales says that the company has made a good faith effort to provide boat services to Intracoastal location members. They are currently searching for a second location. Read more about the closing of a Jacksonville, Florida boat club at Left 'high and dry' after paying club fee.

If you live in North Florida and have a business legal matter, please contact Wood, Atter & Wolf, P.A., Jacksonville, Florida business law attorneys.

The decision to purchase a franchise involves many factors, but there are ways for you to increase your chances of making the right move. Having a frank conversation with the franchisor is a great place to begin; the following are some tough questions you should get answers to before you make your final decision.

One: Can you give me some specific examples of problems your franchisees have run into and how you helped them? A good franchisor will not be afraid to tell you about problems they have run into and how they learned from them. Listen carefully to see how well they support their franchisees when they run into problems.

Two: What are the personality traits that help people succeed with your franchise, and what are some that get in the way? When you get the answer, honestly evaluate which category you fall into.

Three: Can you tell me some reasons why you might turn down a franchise request? You want to sign on a with a franchisor who has standards for their franchisees. If they don't, that could negatively affect their perception in the marketplace.

Four: Are you currently involved in any lawsuits with franchisees, or have you been in the past? Don't let the answer scare you off; many franchisees and franchisors end up in court for one reason or another. Listen to what the issue was and see if they have taken steps to prevent it from happening in the future.

Five: Are you planning any major upgrades in the near future? Costs for technology or equipment upgrades may be your responsibility.

Remember, the franchisor may not be at liberty to answer all of these questions, but the more you can find out before writing your first check, the better. Read more franchising tips at 5 Great Questions To Ask Franchise Company Executives Before Buying A Franchise.

If you live in the Jacksonville, Florida or Orlando, Florida area and are considering purchasing a franchise, please contactWood, Atter & Wolf, P.A. for business law counsel.

Jacksonville based fast food franchise Orange Tree Hot Dogs’ first restaurant was opened in 1968 at the Regency Square Mall by Peter and Carolyn Koppenburger. The family-owned business now has three corporate owned locations, eight franchise locations and is slated to open three more franchises in Florida this year, despite the slowing economy and stiff competition from A&W, Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs, All American Hot Dogs, Sonic and other chain restaurants that sell frankfurters.

Orange Tree sells over a million hot dogs every year. According to Shawn Emling, co-owner and grandson-in-law of the original owners, “We didn’t reinvent the wheel with the hot dog, we just put a unique twist on it.” The franchise boils their Ball Park brand hot dogs and steams the buns – along with another secret step that makes the taste of their hot dogs one of a kind. They also make six hot dog toppings from scratch.

Emling reports that he eats two or three hot dogs a day; the average American eats fewer, but still puts away sixty per year according to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council. The new Orange Tree Dog stores will be opening in Gainesville, Daytona Beach, Atlanta and Orlando, Florida and will of course serve the famous Orange Frost Drink along with their signature hot dogs.

Find out more about this story at Orange Tree Hot Dogs: A Jacksonville success story since 1968.

If you live in the Jacksonville, Florida or Orlando, Florida area and have a business law question, please contact Wood Atter & Wolf, P.A. for legal counsel.

With millions of people unemployed and fierce competition for jobs, many people are considering self employment. Currently, one of the most popular self employment options is to buy and run a franchise. A recent web article by a franchise financing bank gave prospective buyers a few helpful tips on finding and financing the right franchise opportunity.

According to the International Franchise Association, there are over 1200 franchise brands available in the US. Buying a franchise in an area that interests you is the first step to success. Second, you should consider the amount you are able to invest. The investment requirements for different franchises can vary widely; if you do not have a lot to invest, that will rule out some of the higher priced opportunities. One source of fuding that many people forget is their retirement savings. While the best thing to do with retirement dollars is to "leave it for retirement," in these difficult times, all financing avenues should be considered. The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 allows people to finance a franchise purchase from existing retirement savings with no taxes or penalties.

Finally, perform thorough due diligence on any franchise you are interested in before signing any paperwork. Enlisting the services of a CPA and attorney who specialize in franchise ownership is critical. If you live in the Jacksonville, Florida or Orlando, Florida area and are considering purchasing a franchise, please contact Wood, Atter & Wolf, P.A. for legal counsel.

Read more about finding and financing a franchise opportunity at How to Choose and Finance a Franchise Opportunity.

Looking to purchase a franchise? In today's marketplace there are hundreds of businesses to choose from if you want to purchase a franchise. So how do you narrow the field and find the right franchise for you? Consider these few items.

First, what kind of business are you interested in? The selection of franchise opportunities to choose from is as vast as the goods and services available on the market today—from haircuts (Great Clips®)to cleaning services (Jani-King), to package shipping (Postal Connections ™), to restaurants (Baskin-Robbins ®). You should find a business that interests and excites you, so that you can combine passion and profession.

Next, how much is the initial investment? Franchises can range from several thousands of dollars on the low end to over a million dollars on the high end. Usually there is a correlation of the cost to gross sales and profits, but that's not always the case. For example, McDonald's restaurants, cost one to two million dollars for start up and do an average of over two million in gross sales annually, profiting typically in the six figure range.

The best way to gauge financial success is to meticulously go over the Franchise Disclosure Document with a franchise lawyer, a business and franchise consultant, and an accountant. To that effect, an established franchise, such as McDonald's or Baskin-Robbins ®, may have more predictability when it comes to success than a new franchise; however, a newer franchise opportunity may have more room for growth.

Hopefully, these tips will give you a starting point ifor thinking about a business or franchise investment.

Is it actually true that a franchise was terminated over one under-portioned sandwich? In a case that was finally decided at the start of this year, it appears that was exactly what happened to a Pennsylvania couple—owners of a Quiznos franchise. They were terminated after a secret shopper purchased a Prime Rib Philly Cheesesteak sandwich at their Quiznos store.

In 2006, as part of a national advertising campaign being planned by Quiznos in which Quiznos planned to claim its sandwich contained twice as much meat as Subway's comparable sandwich, Quiznos sent out secret shoppers to several of its franchisee locations to purchase Quiznos' Prime Rib Philly Cheesesteak sandwiches. The purpose was to make sure each sandwich contained at least 4.5 ounces of meat. A secret shopper at the Pennsylvania franchisee's store purchased a sandwich that purportedly only had 4 ounces of meat. Quiznos sent out a letter terminating the franchisee. Although Quiznos claimed their plan was to allow the franchisee to cure the default, Quiznos sued the franchisee only two days after sending them the termination letter. In January, the franchisee won their case for wrongful termination, being awarded $349,797.00, plus fees, court costs, and post judgment interest.

It can be intimidating for a single franchisee to contemplate going to court with their franchisor, especially if the franchisor is large, but franchisees need to remember, the courts are not looking at the size of the litigate they are looking at the strength of the litigant's case. If a franchisor has terminated a franchisee in violation of the terms of the franchise agreement, then a single franchisee should not be afraid just because of their size to do what is necessary to protect their investment.

Dispute resolution is an important term in a franchise agreement. Franchise agreements can have forum selection clauses, arbitration clauses, and choice of law clauses, among other dispute resolution options. When Congress passed the Federal Arbitration Act, it brought the use of arbitration onto equal footing as other dispute resolutions options and the traditional venue of the courts. Not long thereafter, arbitration came to national prominence and became a popular option for franchisors to use in their franchise agreements.

Current research has shown that over the last ten years, the number of arbitration clauses in franchise agreements has remained relatively stable (in a little less than half of the franchise agreements). Today, some groups want to eliminate required arbitration clauses in franchise agreements. Currently, there is a bill in Congress: the Arbitration Fairness Act. One provision of the Arbitration Fairness Act would make mandatory arbitration clauses illegal in franchise agreements. This act is opposed by the International Franchise Association. Some franchisors, however, are moving away from arbitration clauses by their own choice; for example, General Nutrition Centers Inc. has quit using arbitration clauses in their franchise agreements.

If you are a franchisor, whether or not to use an arbitration clause is a matter of weighing a number of factors. Sometimes a choice of forum and choice of law provision may be the better option. These decisions are best made with the assistance of a franchise attorney. If you are a franchisee, have an attorney review the franchise agreement before you sign the agreement or renew your franchise agreement.

When it comes to opening a new franchise, prospective franchisees face many issues, but one issue that often ends up in court when franchise relationships fall apart is territory disputes—typically the argument is that there was territory encroachment. Territory encroachment and territorial concerns come in many ways, such as: requirements to develop the territory to a specific level of profitability in a certain amount of time, whether the franchisee has the right of first refusal to develop territory bordering the franchisee's existing territory, factors that might change the nature of the territory (i.e. population, development), and how 'exclusive territory' is determined (i.e. by population, geography, number of customers).

When contemplating purchasing a franchise it is important that franchisees look closely at whether the territory is exclusive and under what circumstances the territory—even exclusive territory—may be encroached upon. There are many ways franchise territories may be encroached upon. For instance, a salon franchisee may be given an exclusive territory and licensed to sell the franchisor salon's particular shampoo product, but then the franchisor salon may sell that same shampoo product in a local grocery store. Obviously, the franchisee could lose business and money by such an arrangement; even though, the franchisor never opened a competing salon in the franchisee's exclusive territory.

Because there are many such concerns with regard to territory, if you are interested in opening a franchise or are already in the franchise business, you should review any Franchise Agreement and Franchise Disclosure Documents with an attorney familiar with franchise law. Have you ever experienced a territorial issue with your franchise or business, feel free to comment or share your experience?

To succeed, a franchise must identify a need in the marketplace, and fill that need. Particularly in today's economy, finding a niche can mean the difference between downsizing, maintaining, or growing your business.

Franchises that find that niche can be successful even in otherwise languishing industries. Here is sampling of a few franchises that have found their niche:

1) The dry cleaning business has been around for decades without seeing any franchises experiencing significant growth. However, Certified Resotration Dry Cleaning Network has found its niche by focusing on dry cleaning clothing and household items damaged by smoke for insurance companies.

2) Rescuecom's niche is providing onsite emergency computer repair 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

3) Finally, many fitness centers are now transitioning away from the do-it-all exercise and work out centers to smaller specialized fitness centers targeting specific clientele such as women or men only or specific workouts like aerobics or weightlifting.

The great thing about finding a niche is that it does not cost money; it just takes a little instinct and a lot of thought. If your business is struggling in these hard times, see if there is a niche you have been missing that could open the doors to some additional revenue.

As I've been watching the changes in the in-home movie rental business and the continuing decline of the Blockbuster chain, I began to think about how critical it is for franchisors and potential franchisees to try to imagine what their particular field of business is going to look like in ten years. Franchising provides a great opportunity to own a business without having to invest a lot of money, but beware! Purchasing almost any franchise is still an investment and most franchise agreements are binding for at least ten years. The last thing you want is to invest in a franchise, only to have that industry becoming obsolete in a few years.

To use home the in-home movie rental business as an example, look at the changes that have occurred over the last ten years—VHS and VCR movies have become antiquated. DVRs (digital video recorders) like Tivo record several hours' worth of television, in HD, and allow rewinding or slow motion replay of live programming. And at my whim, I can order a recently released movie On Demand, for little or no cost.

Technology's evolution is not the only change that has occurred in the in-home movie rental business. As our society gets even faster paced, people have become much more conscious about saving time, and have become master multi-taskers. People want to eliminate excess trips to the store; if they can make one trip to buy their groceries, prescriptions, and movies, they are going to do it. Thus, we have seen a steady decline in Blockbuster franchises and an explosive growth in Netflix and Redbox kiosks.

So how would you evaluate the success or decline of a franchise? First, do some research and consult with a business expert to help you carefully consider how changes in technology or society might affect your industry of interest in both the short- and long-term. I team up with the franchise experts, Alpha Growth Strategies, and encourage my clients to consult with them. Second, bring a franchise attorney a copy of the business' Franchise Disclosure Document. The attorney can explain what your rights and obligations will be for the term of your Franchise Agreement.

Amidst a slew of franchise disputes between deposed dealers and General Motors and Chrysler, Ron Bloom, head of the automotive task force for President Obama, addressed Congress and advised that the reinstatement of terminated franchise agreements could jeopardize the car companies' return to profitability.

As discussed in a previous post, GM is planning to shut down over 2,000 of its dealerships and Chrysler is looking at eliminating 789 of its own. However, a bill was recently approved by the House of Representatives to undo those cutbacks. Some dealers are even resorting to franchise suits in state courts to prevent forced closings. Mr. Bloom indicated that the reductions are critical to streamline the operations of the two troubled automakers.

Sadly, I think that the dealership closings may be necessary at this stage, but the blame lies squarely on the shoulders of GM and Chrysler for allowing their networks to become bloated and saturating markets with dealers as opposed to employing the controlled outlet strategy of import car manufacturers. It's a shame that hard-working business owners are having their stores taken from them through no fault of their own. Their collective mistake was betting on the wrong horse!

More than ever, American franchises are contemplating foreign expansion as possibilities in the United States remain stagnant. The two most populous nations in the world, China and India, are key areas for growth and feature rapidly-flourishing intermediate consumer bases.

McDonald's has long been exemplary in terms of its global franchise model. In 2009, McDonald's opened just 53 new restaurants in the U.S., whereas internationally, it opened 286 new locations. This isn't simply an aberration, but has been the trend for the last couple of years. Meanwhile, McDonald's global sales have jumped 7.2%!

The reluctance of U.S. lenders to issue loans has hurt American franchising, but abroad, third-party investors are frequently willing to back projects financially. This becomes a mutually advantageous relationship as foreign investors reap the benefits of well-established, clearly defined American brands. People instantly recognize those double arches! In light of such symbiosis, international markets are ripe for development and can support sustainable growth.

How can your business grow in these challenging economic times? Want more tips and strategies? I do too. That's why I count on my business and franchising experts, Alpha Growth Strategies. I work closely with them to give my clients the edge in business development.

Reading through the news today it seems restaurant franchises are willing to do just about anything right now to get customers in the doors. The major hamburger franchises have always offered toys and collectable glasses to purchasers of certain meals. Additionally, some of the larger franchises conduct games annually, or almost annually, where customers can win high dollar prizes, including cash—think McDonald's® Monopoly® game. Kentucky Fried Chicken just unveiled a new sandwich with no bun! Yes, I said no bun. Other Franchises such as Tropical Smoothie Cafés and CiCi's Pizza are offering customers the chance to win VIP trips to Hollywood studios and Pizza parties where families can get coupon books.

Not every business has the financial resources like McDonalds® or other larger franchises. So what does a smaller franchise or business with more limited resources do to get the customers to their stores? I think one thing franchises can do is focus on their core customers. Offer a specific gimmick that would appeal to this unique group. Another strategy is joint advertising promotions. This means teaming up with a complementary business, and develop a promotion to benefit both businesses.

What kind of approaches are you using to maintain and grow your business or franchise in our current economic times? Are they working? Please, feel free to share.

 Gap Inc. has inked a new franchise agreement that will yield new Gap stores in Thailand. Armin Systems Limited, a retailer in Thailand, has been designated as licensee and will open the first Gap location in Bangkok in the spring of 2010.

The Gap is the biggest independent retailer and includes the Banana Republic, Old Navy, Piperlime, and Athleta brands. Along with its partners, the Gap has opened 100 Gap franchise stores plus 34 Banana Republic franchise stores in 17 countries. Across North America, Europe, and Japan, the Gap has over 3,100 locations.

Despite this already sizable network, the company is looking to emerging regions to help buoy sales as the recession has curbed spending in the United States. The Gap clearly understands the importance of spreading internationally and getting its name out to more and more areas.

On the other hand, oversaturation of markets also can be a concern so it is crucial for companies to tactically place their locations to provide the widest consumer access possible without any overlap. Remember when you couldn't walk one block without seeing three Starbucks? It was forced to scale back because it had flooded cities with shops! It's definitely a fine tuning act to open new stores without creating too much supply and is one that shouldn't be done without proper advice.

Want to strategically expand your business? A methodical franchise attorney can help you increase your branches the right way!

A highly effective way to expand your business is franchising, but what makes some franchisors more successful than others? The following tips may guide your decision-making process as you grow your company through franchising.

It is important to work with a reputable and experienced franchise development company. Even as a franchise attorney, I turn to my business development experts at Alpha Growth Strategies to review and advise as to the best way to make business take off. Select a company that is willing to assist you throughout the franchising process, including negotiating leases and making financial projections, and not just with producing contracts and the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Also, don't be frugal when it comes to your initial investments in a franchise operation. Typically, franchisors who enjoy success are those who invest in state of the art computer and IT systems. Communication and information is the foundation of any business venture. Additionally, select a location for the franchise headquarters that includes room to expand and that will deliver a positive first impression to prospective franchisees. These may seem like unreasonable expenses at first, but the extra investment will pay off with a higher rate of franchise purchases in the future.

Finally, hire a good public relations firm with experience in the field of your business. Such an outside source of expertise will help generate ideas to distinguish your company from others in the market place.

Once you have developed a business plan and established a franchise, it is important to stay connected with your franchisees. Your success, in the form of license and franchise fees as well as profit sharing, may depend largely on their success. Therefore it is vital that you are able to be their guide. Consultants in the field of franchising have identified various ways to deliver messages to business contacts.

The use of newsletters is one of the more traditional methods of sharing information. For example a franchisor may send franchisees a monthly newsletter to discuss brand ideas as well new marketing insight. In addition, an innovative franchisor will solicit feedback and advice from franchisees about their particular operation. This will provide material for future newsletters. In this manner, each franchisee may benefit from the collective knowledge of the whole group. Another way to disseminate information is through videos. This is especially useful in situations where language barriers are present, such as international restaurant franchises.

Of all the communication methods available, intranets are the most revolutionary because they can relay information in an instant. An intranet is a private computer network that transmits secured information between users. This is different from the Internet, where the public has general accessibility to data. Franchises using intranets benefit from message boards or chat boards where franchisees can post messages or get quick advice from each other. Therefore franchisees save time and money as they are able to get help with problems almost as they arise.

For various reasons, a franchisee may want to get out of a particular business and sell the franchise. But is this permitted? Can a franchisee sell a franchise or is this something only franchisors can do?

In general, the answer is yes, however some conditions may apply depending on the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). In addition to governing operational issues such as royalty fees, the FDD often contains provisions regarding franchise resell. For example, the original franchisor usually reserves the right to approve new buyers. This provision protects the franchisor as well as other current franchisees by preventing under-qualified individuals from becoming business owners and besmirching the business reputation and consumer good will. On the other hand, the franchisor's right to approve the new buyer might serve as a detriment by hindering the franchisee's ability to sell the business.

If you are considering purchasing a franchise, examine the FDD to fully understand the terms of the franchise agreement. Particularly, look for provisions that might affect franchise resell if you are unsure of long you want to own the business. It is important to identify undesirable aspects of the FDD because a franchisor may be willing to negotiate. In any event, it is not advisable to enter any purchase agreements without first consulting a franchise attorney.

Like other entrepreneurial individuals, you may have thought about purchasing a franchise but do not know where to start. Though we use goods and services provided by franchises on a daily basis, information about buying the actual business does not always appear to be so readily accessible. In reality though, the information is easy find if you know what you are looking for.

Before looking at any specific franchises, determine what type of business most appeals to you. For example, if you have enjoyed working in food service over the past years, you might prefer a restaurant franchise or other similar food service oriented business. On the other hand, it is not advisable to purchase a franchise related to past negative work experiences.

Then, assess whether that type of business is economically feasible in your geographic area. Just because you like a business idea does not necessarily mean customers will. Accomplish this by examining other franchises in the area that have endured throughout the years. I usually refer my clients to a franchise development consultant, like Alpha Growth Strategies, to assist in evaluating potential sites.

After determining what type of business will fit both you and the area, your search for franchise opportunities will be more focused. Find information about specific business at the Franchise Registry. The Franchise Registry lists businesses that are approved by the Small Business Association as being fair.

Don't go about evaluating franchise opportunities alone! For more advice regarding franchise opportunities or purchasing a franchise, contact a franchise attorney to schedule a consultation, and be sure a franchise development consultant participates in the meeting.

Despite a poor economy, a weak job market, and an increasing number of layoffs, now is a great time to buy a franchise. The number of franchises in the industry has increased and created competition among franchisors, which are becoming more aggressive in recruiting franchisees.

Some franchisors have resorted to attracting buyers with discounts on initial fees and costs. For example, one company announced that it would waive a $30,000 franchise fee for qualified military veterans.

Other franchisors have developed creative tactics to target nontraditional franchisees. One such tactic is to offer employee discounts. This plan encourages employees to purchase a franchise by rewarding high performers with a discount on the initial franchise price. The resulting franchises are often highly successful because the franchisee is better-trained and less likely to make costly mistakes.

Franchisors are also offering money-back guarantees to reduce the uncertainty associated with buying a business. A typical guarantee provides that if the business has not reached certain revenue goals after the first year, the franchisor will buy the franchise back. In most cases, the guarantee is only valid if the franchisee follows franchise guidelines in operating the business.

It is a buyer's market when it comes to franchises. In light of this competition, be aware that many franchisors are willing to negotiate fees and payments structures. If you have thought about purchasing a franchise, consult a franchise attorney for advice and assistance with the acquisition.

If you have a successful business, you may want to consider expanding through franchising. By franchising, you can grow larger and faster because the franchisees provide the funds for the growth, not you.

One important issue to consider before franchising is whether you have developed a strong trademark for your business. This is crucial because a strong trademark delivers a consistent message to consumers about your franchise's products and services. Franchisees will pay higher royalties for a franchise like Subway, which has a nationally reputed trademark, than they will for a franchise with little or no consumer recognition.

In the very least, be sure to register your trademark before franchising. Registration provides a presumption that your trademark is valid. This will facilitate any claim of infringement in the unfortunate event that one of your franchisees attempts to improperly license or use your trademark.

A strong trademark is a term or phrase that does not merely describe the goods or services. Rather, strong trademarks require imagination, thought, or perceptions to link the mark with the provider of the goods or services. Such marks may suggest the quality of the goods or services, or may not have anything at all to do with the goods or services. For example, Greyhound might imply that a bus line provides fast transportation. Apple, on the other hand, may have nothing to do with a line of computers.

Veteran franchise owners advise initial start-up costs can become excessive if you are impatient. In other words, rushing to open your business almost always costs more in the long run. The following tips provide ways to reduce franchise start-up expenses by deliberate decision making.

Negotiate fees: While fees are generally the same so that all franchisees are treated equally, contact existing franchisees to see what their fees were. If there is a deviation, even slightly, find out the reason for the lowered fee, and see if you can qualify for the same discounted rate. This will put you in a better position to negotiate with the franchisor.

Package Deals: Some franchisors offer a package franchise, also known as a turnkey package. In these arrangements everything needed to begin operating the business is included for one price. For example, the franchisor or a third party may supply the inventory, the physical store, and all the equipment for operating the business. Turnkey packages benefit franchisees by saving time because franchisee does not have to acquire and organize the resources on their own. On the other hand, turnkey packages are more expensive because the added convenience adds to the price as well.

Shop For Equipment: When starting a franchise, many business owners fail to shop around for equipment. It is a good idea to get as many prices for equipment as possible in order to determine a reasonable price range. Also, by obtaining bids from multiple sources, you can negotiate with your selected supplier for even more savings.

Used Equipment and Fixtures: Purchasing used equipment for your business can translate into substantial savings. Just make sure the items meet your franchise guidelines. For example, buying used commercial kitchen appliances for a restaurant or used display shelves and fixtures for a retail store and greatly reduce the initial cost of operating.

Facing the reality of being laid off by your company, you may have considered the prospect of owning your own business. While there are various entrepreneurial avenues to financial independence, many people are turning towards becoming franchisees. But what businesses are available for purchase?

Many franchise websites offer lists of available franchises. In particular, you can narrow your search by industry type, stay-at-home solutions, or environmentally sound "Green" franchises such as cleaning services, which employ eco-friendly detergents that do not contain CFCs.

Many franchises offer a proven business model as well as a widely recognized brand. With the necessary capital and initiative, you can soon be at the helm of your own business.

Such online lists of franchises are a good starting point to determine what type of franchise you intend to procure. But instead of entering into any agreements online, you can avoid potential scams by contacting an experienced franchise consultant, and consulting with a franchise attorney.

Many people consider purchasing a franchise, but what about the other end of the franchising industry: expanding their own business and becoming a franchisor? Not all businesses translate into good franchises, however. So how can you determine whether your business will succeed as a franchise?

Good franchises share a few common elements. First, your business plan should include goals and objectives in order to identify your client profile. As the franchisor, keep in mind that your client is not the end consumer, but rather the individual purchasing your franchise. To advertise more effectively, determine the precise client demographic your franchise would most likely attract.

A business plan should be easy to replicate. One way to accomplish this is to have a plan featuring specific details, right down to daily operations and training. Franchisees are often people who want to run a business, but wish to forgo the trial and error inherent in building a business from scratch. Therefore, your product should meet their needs in providing a business ready for operation without undue experimentation.

Finally, determine how many stores a geographical region can support. Do not make the mistake of allowing too many franchises operate within a close proximity to each other. This inevitably results in competition among your franchisees.

Wood, Atter & Wolf recently hosted an exhibit at the 2009 Business & Career Expo, hosted by the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce at the Prime Osborn Convention Center. Admission was FREE to the public!

We showcased Trademark and Franchise law with Alpha Growth Strategies, who are experts in business development and franchising. Together, we featured legal and business consultations regarding trademark registration, licensing, and business/franchise evaluations.

The Expo featured 250 exhibits, and attracted over 1500 people. For more information on next year's event, contact us.

If you have been involved in a franchise deal in the past few years, you may be more familiar with the latter term in the title: the Uniform Franchise Offering Circular, or the UFOC. However, as of July 2007, the Federal Trade Commission has replaced the UFOC with the FDD. Despite this change, the term "UFOC" is still widely and incorrectly used. Now, the FDD is the document that a franchisor must provide to potential franchisees prior to entering into a contract.

Like the UFOC, the FDD discloses details to potential franchisees in order to facilitate an educated buying decision. However, the FDD is different form the UFOC is several aspects.

Differences between the FDD and the old UFOC include different time requirements governing when such disclosures must be made. Also, unlike the UFOC, both parties can use passwords and electronic signatures to electrically sign an FDD.

Perhaps the most important change provided by the FDD is the requirement that the franchisor disclose more detailed information to the franchisee. Such newly required disclosures include information about parent companies; information regarding lawsuits or bankruptcies; whether any interest exists between approved suppliers and franchise executives; information about the types of distribution channels the franchisor or other franchisees use; and finally data regarding how many franchises were sold, terminated, or transferred over the past three years.

As you consider if and which franchise to purchase, be sure to pay close attention to the FDD. It should be an in-depth disclosure, with each paragraph having legal or strategic significance. For guidance with the UFOC, contact an experienced franchise attorney and a franchise consultant.

If you're thinking of acquiring a franchise, it is a good idea to first investigate the company. Although there is no uniform database that will inform you whether a company is operating legally or in good faith, there are a few leads to utilize in your investigation.

Find out if the company has registered with the Better Business Bureau or if anyone has filed a complaint against the company. You can discover if any complaints have been filed by contacting the Federal Trade Commission. Simply send a written request for information to the following address. Include in the letter the name of the company of interest as well as your name and address. Often, this is a free service to the public. The address: Freedom of Information Act Request, Federal Trade Commission, Washington, D.C. 20580.

Also, you can check out the applicable state agency for registering business opportunities. In Florida, franchisors are required to file with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, Division of Consumer Services.

Another fact to consider is whether the company has changed its name in the past. Businesses that alter their name and change their address of operation may have something to hide or wish to avoid accountability. Furthermore, it is a good idea to obtain the contact information of 10 prior franchise purchasers. Get in touch with them to find out how this franchise has dealt with others in the past. Also, make sure these references are legit and not just paid by the franchisor to give a good review. Finally, another good idea is to find out the number of other franchisees in your geographic area. It may not be a good idea to enter a saturated market.

Above all, when deciding whether or not to purchase a franchise, you can never be too careful. Not only should you consult with a franchise attorney to cover the legal requirements, but you should also consult with a franchise consultant. I recommend Alpha Growth Strategies, whose expertise can benefit any franchise across the country. They can be contacted at 417 Cheryl Court, Jacksonville, FL 32259.

Yahoo! Finance recently published an article listing the top 15 franchise failures for 2008. They based the ranking on the rate of Small Business Association (SBA) loan defaults among franchisees. Yahoo! cited the troubled economy as the major factor for the failures.

Topping the list were Noble Roman's Pizza, with 53% of franchisees defaulting on their SBA loans, PJ's Coffee and Tea Café, with a 50% default rate, and Super Suppers, with 42% of the gourmet prepared meals franchise failing. Pizza franchises seem to have fared the worst out of all the business types, with five of the fifteen biggest failures being pizza franchises.

What can potential franchisees take way from this story? If you are considering opening a franchise, it is important to do your due diligence. Take a close look at which franchises are failing and why, before you take out an SBA loan. You should scrutinize the Franchise Disclosure Documents and the Franchise Agreement with the aid of an experienced franchise attorney. An attorney can also help you conduct research into the parent company's background, which is invaluable in helping you to better understand the financial aspects of the business, and to determine whether there are red flags pointing towards the business' demise. Please contact our firm for Franchise legal counsel.

To find out more about these unsuccessful franchises, visit Top 15 Franchise Failures.

The 3 Golden Rules in determining whether a business is franchiseable are whether: 1. There is a UNIQUE concept 2. The operations are SIMPLE, so that it can be replicated and easy to train 3. The business has a history of FINANCIAL SUCCESS

Gordon Ramsay, the notoriously razor-tongued head chef on Fox's reality show, "Hell's Kitchen," is hosting another show called "Kitchen Nightmares." "Kitchen Nightmares'" premise is much broader than that of its predecessor, because Chef Ramsay not only critiques the menu items, but also the way the business is operated. Each episode focuses on a quaint Mom & Pop restaurant in desperate need of an overhaul. Think of a marriage between "Trading Spaces" and "Nanny 911."

Chef Ramsay addresses problems by sampling the menu, rummaging through the inventory, observing the work habits of the owners, managers, and chefs, and considering the decor in the establishment. As expected, he will eat "the worst meal" he has ever had. Surprisingly, however, he will find moldy cherry tomatoes in the same container as fresh ones, or cooked chicken stored with its raw counterparts. And typically, Chef Ramsay will identify communication problems among those running the restaurant, as well as ambition or respect issues within those individuals.

Chef Ramsay's remedies often include simplifying the menu. In one episode, he made the ingredients easier to obtain by choosing supplies from local farmers. His remedy also includes defining and delegating very specific responsibilities to each owner or manager. And finally, he gives the restaurant a face-lift. It's worthy to note that he doesn't do any renovating, and he often leaves the fixtures as they are, but his creativity totally transforms the dining room atmosphere. In an episode with a waterfront seafood-themed restaurant, he added miniature fish bowls at each table, and gave diners a piece of rope with a guide to tying nautical knots while waiting for their food. The "little" things and a coat of fresh paint often made for an astounding presentation.

In essence, Chef Ramsay made these restaurants franchisable. By offering fresh, simple, yet gourmet menu items, and serving in an aesthetically pleasing dining room, he made the products and the service UNIQUE. By delegating management responsibility, streamlining food preparation, and implementing hygenic procedures for food storage, he made the business method SIMPLE. And finally, of course there are always panning views of the customer line out the door, to show that this is a FINANCIALLY SUCCESSFUL operation.

Are you a business owner? Would you like a Chef Ramsay-style consultation (minus the curt insults) of your operation to determine whether it is franchisable, or find out what you can do get it to that stage? Is your business at the stage to prepare it for franchising? Arrange a consultation with me.

One of the biggest misconceptions is that an idea can be patented. Even a Yahoo or Google search about patenting an idea will lead people to believe that this is the case. Often, I will have a creative mind book a consultation with me to discuss patenting an idea for an invention. Truth be told, their ideas usually are very good ones. However, they have no idea how to make or build this invention. For example, if someone told me that a great invention would be a machine that would stop world hunger. Although it's a fantastic idea, unless this inventor knows how to build one, there is no patentable subject matter.

Building a business so successful that others want to emulate it is the ultimate American Dream. However, going big has its restrictions. Even without formally calling it a "franchise relationship," if the arrangement walks like a franchise, and talks like a franchise, chances are....

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) defines a commercial relationship to be a franchise when:

(1) the franchisee is permitted to use the franchisor's trademarks;

(2) the franchisor has the ongoing right to control significant aspects of the franchisee's operation; and

(3) as a condition to continue this relationship, the franchisee pays the franchisor.

When a business relationship falls under this franchise relationship, the FTC requires that the franchisor discloses specific information to the franchisee. The items to be disclosed are outlined in 16 CFR 436.

The new disclosure requirements came into effect in July 2008. The FTC has an excellent FAQ page to address questions concerning this amendment. It is a fantastic resource for franchisors and franchisees.

The Federal Trade Commission requires that a franchisor provides potential franchisees with Franchise Disclosure Documents compliant with 16 CFR 436 at least 14 calendar-days before the prospective franchisee signs a binding agreement with, or makes any payment to, the franchisor.

The itemized list of information franchisors are required to disclose to potential franchisees are:

1. The Franchisor and any Parents, Predecessors, and Affiliates

2. Business Experience

3. Litigation

4. Bankruptcy

5. Initial Fees

6. Other Fees

7. Estimated Initial Investment

8. Restrictions on Sources of Products and Services

9. Franchisee's Obligations

10. Financing

11. Franchisor's Assistance, Advertising, Computer Systems, and Training

12. Territory

13. Trademarks

14. Patents, Copyrights, and Proprietary Information

15. Obligation to Participate in the Actual Operation of the Franchise Business

16. Restrictions on What the Franchisee May Sell

17. Renewal, Termination, Transfer, and Dispute Resolution

18. Public Figures

19. Financial Performance Representations

20. Outlets and Franchisee Information

21. Financial Statements

22. Contracts

23. Receipts

Exhibits

A. Franchise Agreement

For help preparing or reviewing these documents, contact an attorney who is familiar with Franchise Disclosure Documents and Franchise Agreements.

So your business is successful. You have a proven business model with effective marketing and distribution systems in place. You are producing profits and steadily capturing market share. Yet, you ask yourself, "How can I take my operation to the next level?"

On the other hand, you may be trying to start up a business, but be tired of re-inventing the wheel. You want to own your own business, but don't know what policies and procedures to implement. You wonder, "Isn't there an easier way to improve my chances of success?"

Franchising can sometimes be the fitting solution. A franchise is a relationship between a franchisor and a franchisee. Franchisors are those who seek to expand their reach beyond a local or regionalized market. Franchisees are the ones who get access to an established brand, a proven business model, and marketing and supply support. In exchange, the franchisor collects a front-end fee, ongoing royalties, and the ability to increase brand recognition and market share on a larger scale.

Entering into this relationship, either as a franchisor or franchisee, has many legal implications. The documentation, including the franchise agreement and the disclosure documents (regulated by the Federal Trade Commision). Whether starting a franchise or buying into one, talk to a franchise attorney about these important documents.

Trademark rights continue as long as the owner continues to use it consistently to identify goods or services. A trademark owner can lose rights to the trademark through abandonment of the mark, non-use of the mark, or by granting naked licenses. Tally-Ho Inc. v. Coast Community College District, 889 F.2d 1018, Footnote 6 (11th Cir. 1989).

Getting our minds out of the gutter, "naked licenses" have nothing to do with nudity. Naked licenses are when a trademark owner licenses the use of a trademark without controlling the quality of the goods or services provided by the licensee. If consumers cannot expect consistency of goods or services associated with a trademark, in effect, consumers will cease to attribute those products with that mark. This is essentially the same as non-use of a trademark.

Quality control is vital in trademarks and licensing, which is why many franchises thrive. The intolerance for anomalies assures consumers that they can depend on the goods and services to be exactly as they expect. This high level of predictability is the secret to many franchises' success.

So trademark owners, don't be caught with your pants down when licensing the your rights. Ensure that your licensees are delivering the same quality of goods and services that you have originally attached to your trademark.

While monogamy is the prevailing standard accepted in our society when it comes to spouses and boyfriends or girlfriends, this is not necessarily so when it comes to a license for your patent or trademark.

When you offer the rights to use your patent or trademark, in exchange for fees and royalties, you are licensing those opportunities to another. That other party is called the licensee.

A monogamous license, more appropriately termed, an exclusive license, is where you have only one licensee. Typically, licensees agree to paying higher fees and royalties for the benefit of being the only ones who are allowed to benefit from the intellectual property. NBC was hugely successful last month, because they were the exclusive network to provide Olympic coverage.

There are times, however, where it benefits the patent or trademark owner to enter into a licensing agreement with as many licensees as possible. This is a non-exclusive license. Although a licensee will probably pay less in fees and royalties, the patent or trademark owner benefits from collecting this revenue from multiple licensees. Franchises are an excellent example of non-exclusive licenses to numerous franchisees for the use of trademarks, patents, and other proprietary assets.

I recently presented my seminar, "From Emblems to Empires: Using Trademarks to Promote, Protect, and Produce Business." The audience were the members of IMPACTJax, a young professionals' group that is part of the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce.

I discussed the importance of promoting a business name by building a brand name. The goodwill and reputation should then be protected through trademark or patent registration. Only then can defensive and offensive strategies have any teeth against potential infringers. Once a business achieves a level of success with those trademarked or patented assets, I explain why franchising the operation is among other options for expanding the business. In the alternative, for entrepreneurs interested in minimizing the risk of owning a business, I also discuss the advantages of buying a franchise.

Couldn't make it to the original presentation? Contact me to see when this seminar will be presented at a venue near you.

Pizza has dominated franchise offerings for many years. But 2010 will see some interesting new options for aspiring business owners. A recent article on the Small Business Trends blog pointed out some of the hot new franchises to watch out for in 2010.

For starters, the retirement of the baby boomers is driving the emergence of franchise opportunities that target older Americans. Some examples are CruiseOne, Club 50 Fitness Centers, Golf, Etc., and AmRamp, a company that sells, installs and maintains mobility ramps on private homes. The senior trend continues, with medical care and senior care facility franchises on the rise. Examples include Comfort Keepers, HomeInstead, HomeHelpers, Brightstar Healthcare, and Interim HealthCare.

Of course, food franchises are still popular. Topping the list for 2010 are Five Guys Burgers And Fries, Mexican eateries such as Qdoba Mexican Grill and Panchero's Mexican Grill, and a resurgence of frozen yogurt stores including a freshened up TCBY concept, SpoonMe, Yogen Fruz, Red Mango, Pinkberry, and Tasti D-Lite.

Other sectors that show promise are supplemental education facilities, green businesses and home-based businesses. For those that want to take the plunge, the availability of small business loans should be improving by the second half of 2010. Find out more franchise trends for 2010 at The Top Franchise Trends For 2010.

If you are considering a franchise opportunity, be sure to get all the facts and contact our firm for expert legal counsel.