Franchise attorney Jeffrey M. Goldstein, founder of Goldstein Law Firm, PLLC, will speak at the Franchise Times Legal Eagles Virtual Summit on April 10, 2024. The Virtual Summit takes place from 11:00am EST to 4:00pm EST. Registration for the Legal Eagles Virtual Summit is complimentary, and anyone who wants to attend can register online. Registrants have the ability to submit a question during the registration process in order to “be part of the conversation” on April 10. The Franchise Times’ 2024 Legal Eagles Virtual Summit The Franchise Times is billing the 2024 Legal Eagles Virtual Summit ..read more

The pet industry is booming. As recently stated in an industry report on Franchise Direct, “People LOVE their pets—and they’re spending the money to prove it.” But does this mean that you should buy a pet franchise in 2024? Here are some key considerations from franchisee attorney Jeffrey M. Goldstein. The State of the Pet Industry in the United States People certainly do love their pets. While pet ownership has long been on the rise, pet ownership spiked during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, there are more pets in the United States today than ever before—with approximately two-thirds of ..read more

When choosing a franchise to buy, there are numerous important factors to consider. What type of business are you passionate about owning? What type of business is missing in your local area? What is the total initial investment? Can you expect to recoup your investment during the initial term of the franchise agreement? This is just a small sampling of the type of questions you will need to answer—in many cases, with the help of an experienced Massachusetts franchise lawyer. Another important factor to consider is the age and reputation of the franchise system. Does it make sense to buy an up ..read more

As a franchisee, it’s important to know when it’s time to take legal action. While pursuing mediation or arbitration might be the last thing you want to do, when filing a claim is your best option, you need to be willing to do what is necessary to protect your investment. So, when should you file for mediation or arbitration against your franchisor? Find out from franchisee lawyer Jeffrey M. Goldstein. 5 Reasons to Consider Filing for Mediation or Arbitration as a Franchisee While there are several reasons why you might need to consider mediation or arbitration with your franchisor, most of th ..read more

Disputes between franchisors and their franchisees can involve a wide range of issues. As a franchisee, it is important to be aware of these issues so that you know when legal action may be necessary to protect your franchise. When these issues arise, informed decision-making is critical, and this makes it important to speak with an experienced franchise attorney as soon as possible. What Are Some of the Most Common Issues that Lead to Franchisor-Franchisee Disputes? So, when might you need to be prepared for legal action as a franchisee? Here are 10 examples of common issues that can lead to ..read more

Artificial intelligence (AI) is officially here. In 2024, we anticipate that franchisors in a wide range of industries will seek to adopt AI technologies in various capacities—whether they fully understand AI’s capabilities and implications or not. Some franchisors are also turning to robots to streamline their operations, and this is a trend that we expect to see continue throughout the year as well. As a franchisee, what does this mean for you? The short answer is, “It’s complicated.” As a franchisee law firm, our practice is devoted to helping new and existing franchisees make informed deci ..read more

Many people buy their first franchise after getting fed up with their jobs. They get tired of working for someone else, and they decide that they are willing to take the risk of quitting in order to try something new. But this approach isn’t right for everyone. If you aren’t ready to quit your job—at least not yet—you might be thinking about starting a franchise as a side hustle. Here, Chicago franchise attorney Jeffrey M. Goldstein explains what you need to know. Starting a Franchise as a Side Hustle When it comes to starting a side hustle, you have lots of options. For example, driving for r ..read more

If you own a franchise, any disputes that arise between you and your franchisor will be subject to the terms of your franchise agreement. Most likely, this means that your dispute will be subject to mandatory mediation or arbitration—or perhaps both. As franchise lawyer Jeffrey M. Goldstein explains, while these forms of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) are supposed to be neutral, there’s a reason why franchisors almost universally require ADR. To see why the vast majority of franchisors require ADR, we can look at the similarities between mediation and arbitration. Then, to see what you c ..read more

McDonald’s Fails to Shake Off Antitrust Fangs of Hourly Workers in Poaching Clause Case   By: Jeffrey M. Goldstein, Goldstein Law Firm, LLC Until recently, some franchise agreements, including those in the McDonald’s system, included a ‘no-poaching’ clause for workers from other franchises. These clauses historically had gone unchallenged by the government, franchisees, and workers. In a recent case involving the McDonald’s no-poaching clause, however, a United States District Court for the Seventh Circuit (“Court”) considered hourly workers’ claims that the no-poaching clause prevented t ..read more

Each year, we publish lots of articles for franchisees on our blog. We know that being a franchisee can be hard, and we want to make sure that those who need legal help are able to make informed decisions about their next steps. While some of our articles are relevant to a specific point in time, most are designed to serve as resources for years to come.   10 Key Takeaways for Franchisees Heading Into 2024 So, what lessons should franchisees carry into the New Year? Here are 10 key insights from franchise lawyer Jeffrey M. Goldstein heading into 2024: 1. What Should You Do if Your Fr ..read more