Managing Legal and Regulatory Challenges to Franchise Relationships: Franchisor Counsel Must Play a Key Role

The Author | November 2, 2023

By Thomas W. France The franchise business model currently faces intense scrutiny and challenges from a variety of sources that could significantly impact the operations of franchise systems and the value of franchised brands. Congress, for instance, is considering legislation to establish a “joint employer” standard that would expand the liability of franchisors for certain actions taken by their franchisees and that would make it easier to unionize franchisee employees.1  The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is gathering information about franchise agreements and franchisor business practices in connection with a regulatory proce...