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When franchisees search for a local business lawyer, they are not just looking for proximity. They seek proficiency, experience, and unwavering advocacy in the face of complex franchise and business law challenges. Based in Orlando, Luther Lanard, PC has built a national reputation as a premier legal partner for franchisees as a local business lawyer near me. Whether you own a single franchise unit or manage a portfolio of hundreds, we are committed to protecting your business interests and helping you navigate the franchise world confidently.
We represent franchisees at every stage of the business life cycle, from due diligence and lease negotiations to high-stakes disputes and exits. Our team has successfully handled matters for clients across the United States and worldwide, delivering real-world results for franchise owners facing real-world problems. If you are looking for a business lawyer near you, contact our nationwide franchisee lawyers for help protecting your investment and securing your future.
Why Choose Luther Lanard, PC, as Your Business Lawyer?
As a franchisee, when you search for a business lawyer near you, you are likely looking for someone who understands both business law and the unique challenges of franchising. That is exactly what we do. We exclusively represent franchisees and have worked with clients worldwide, from single-unit operators to corporations with hundreds of locations. With multiple offices, we combine national reach with a local touch, offering franchisees real solutions backed by years of focused experience.
We stand apart because we are guided by a clear mission to protect and empower franchisees. We know how franchisors operate and use that insight to advocate aggressively for our clients, from breach of contract disputes to investment due diligence. Whether you are facing non-renewal, encroachment, or considering buying or selling a franchise, we bring five decades of franchise-specific legal knowledge.
At the heart of our approach is clarity and client empowerment. Legal conflicts can be confusing and high-stakes, but you deserve a legal partner who explains your options clearly, keeps you informed, and helps you move forward confidently. We treat your case like it matters because it does to us. You have found the right team if you are a franchisee looking for straightforward, strategic legal support.
Understanding the Power Dynamic in Franchising
The franchise relationship inherently involves a power dynamic between the franchisor and the franchisee. This imbalance can lead to disputes and the need for strong legal representation. The Luther Lanard team is keenly aware of these dynamics. We understand how franchisors operate, the pressures franchisees face, and the importance of leveling the playing field. Our experience allows us to anticipate franchisor strategies and proactively protect your interests.
Our Local Business Lawyers Are Results-Driven
At Luther Lanard, PC, we are proud to operate under a simple principle. We do not represent franchisors, which means no divided loyalties and no conflicts of interest. We provide unwavering support for franchisees looking to protect what they have built.
Our team has successfully represented franchisees across various industries and issues, from lease disputes and encroachment claims to major class actions. We bring deep industry insight and a reputation for results, helping clients challenge powerful franchisors and make informed business decisions.
Our Business Attorneys Near You Offer Franchisee-Focused Legal Services
Luther Lanard, PC, is committed to standing up for franchisees in disputes that can significantly affect their businesses and livelihoods. Each legal issue we handle is rooted in a thorough understanding of franchise law and a laser focus on protecting franchise owners’ rights and investments. We help resolve the following types of disputes:
Breach of Contract
Franchisors must legally uphold their end of the franchise agreement. Failure to deliver on promises, whether it is operational support, exclusive territory rights, or marketing assistance, can directly impact your bottom line. We help franchisees evaluate contract violations, determine the extent of damages, and pursue resolution through negotiation, mediation, or litigation if necessary.
Fraud and Unfair Trade Practices
Unfortunately, some franchisors make misleading statements or hide critical information during the sales process. You may have grounds for a fraud or unfair trade practices claim if you were misled about profitability, costs, or the competitive landscape of your franchise. We help clients build strong cases based on deceptive Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDDs), misrepresentations, or omissions that induced them to invest under false pretenses.
Termination and Non-Renewal
Franchisees facing termination or non-renewal often feel blindsided and powerless. Our business lawyers step in to evaluate whether the franchisor had legitimate grounds for their decision and whether they followed proper legal procedures. We also advise on strategies to challenge improper terminations and seek remedies or extensions when possible.
Exiting a Franchise
Getting out of a franchise agreement can be legally complex and financially risky without the right guidance. Whether you want to sell, negotiate an early termination, or exit due to a breach or misrepresentation, we help you evaluate your options and execute a clean, strategic exit while minimizing liability and maximizing your recovery.
Franchise Encroachment
Encroachment occurs when a franchisor allows new locations or channels, like online sales, that cannibalize your customer base or territory. We help franchisees determine whether the franchisor’s actions violate their territorial rights and pursue remedies that protect their business from unfair internal competition.
Lease Disputes
A franchise’s lease agreement can be just as critical as the franchise agreement. We assist clients with landlord disputes, lease defaults, and interpretation of lease provisions. When conflicts arise, especially those triggered by franchisor actions like early terminations or relocations, we are prepared to negotiate or litigate to protect your tenancy and financial interests.
Misclassification
Misclassification can run both ways. An employee or independent contractor could actually be a franchisee or a franchisee could be an employee. In some circumstances, salespersons, field representatives, dealers or distributors may be in a franchise relationship, but their company is not complying with franchise laws. We can evaluate business relationships to determine whether they were properly categorized or whether an inadvertent franchise was created. If it is a franchise relationship, we can ensure you are properly compensated for any damages and that you are given franchise law protections. Where a franchise relationship has been misclassified, we can often use misclassification to negotiate transfers, renewals, and terminations or address fraud or disclosure issues.
On the other hand, employers have sometimes characterized employees as franchisees to shift costs to the employees without a legitimate franchise relationship. In those situations, franchisees are in name only and are treated as employees who have to pay the costs of the business. We can determine whether a franchisee is an employee of the franchisor. In that circumstance, the franchisor may be liable for complying with wage and hour laws as well as reimbursing the costs and fees incurred as a “franchisee.”
Many franchisees are structured as independent contractors or small business owners, but the reality of the franchise relationship can resemble employment. We help evaluate misclassification claims, especially in cases involving wage violations, lack of benefits, or control that exceeds the bounds of a traditional franchisor-franchisee relationship.
Association and Class Actions
When franchisors take actions that harm large groups of franchisees, such as imposing unfair fees, unilaterally altering agreements, or breaching system-wide obligations, we represent franchisee associations and bring class action lawsuits when appropriate. These cases are often the most effective way to hold franchisors accountable and secure industry-wide reforms.
Our Business Lawyers Near You Also Offer Business Agreement Services for Franchisees
In addition to resolving disputes, we help franchisees lay a solid legal foundation by reviewing, negotiating, and structuring key business agreements. Whether entering the system for the first time or expanding your portfolio, Luther Lanard, PC’s business counsel protects you from the start.
Franchise Legal Review
Before signing a franchise agreement, it is essential to understand what you are legally and financially committing to. We provide detailed legal reviews of franchise agreements and FDDs, explaining the risks, obligations, and red flags in plain English. Our reviews are tailored to your goals and give you the insights to negotiate stronger terms or walk away from a bad deal.
Multi-Unit Agreements
Owning multiple franchise units can offer growth potential, but it also multiplies legal complexity. We help franchisees negotiate and review multi-unit development, master franchise, and area representative agreements. We provide the expertise necessary to ensure that performance benchmarks, territory rights, development schedules, and other provisions align with your business objectives.
Business Formation
Choosing the right legal entity, whether an LLC, corporation, or partnership, is vital for protecting your personal assets and setting your business up for tax and operational efficiency. We guide franchisees through the business formation process and help structure ownership, management rights, and compliance obligations in a way that supports their franchise goals.
Lease Review and Negotiation
Securing a favorable lease is critical to your franchise location’s long-term success. We review and negotiate commercial leases to ensure that terms like rent escalations, maintenance responsibilities, and exclusivity clauses work in your favor. We also assess how your lease interacts with the franchise agreement to avoid potential conflicts down the road.
Buying and Selling Franchises
Whether acquiring your first franchise or selling an existing unit, you must carefully document the transaction to protect your investment. We represent buyers and sellers in franchise transfers, handling everything from asset purchase agreements to franchisor approval processes. There are 3 things you should know before buying a franchise, and we aim to help you close the deal smoothly and minimize legal risk.
Investment Due Diligence
Before making a franchise investment, you need more than marketing materials. You need a legal deep dive. We assist clients with legal due diligence to evaluate franchisor stability, litigation history, franchisee satisfaction, and hidden costs. Armed with this information, you can make an informed decision with a clear view of the risks and rewards.
Outside General Counsel
Franchisees with growing businesses often need ongoing legal support, but not necessarily a full-time, in-house legal team. We serve as outside general counsel for franchisees, providing day-to-day legal guidance on contracts, disputes, compliance, and strategic planning. This flexible relationship gives you access to experienced legal counsel without the overhead of hiring internally.
Who Our Business Lawyers Near You Serve
Luther Lanard, PC, proudly serves franchisees of all sizes and backgrounds, from first-time entrepreneurs to seasoned multi-unit operators and franchise investment groups. Our clients come from every corner of the franchise world and include quick-service restaurants, health and wellness centers, fitness franchises, hospitality brands, retail chains, and more. We are here to help if you operate under a franchise agreement and need legal support.
We represent single-unit owners navigating their first franchise experience, ensuring they understand their legal rights and obligations before signing anything that could limit their success. For multi-unit operators and franchise developers, we offer sophisticated guidance on complex contractual arrangements, performance benchmarks, development timelines, and territorial rights. We have the tools and experience to help you grow and protect your business, no matter how many locations you operate.
Our firm also advises franchisee associations, minority ownership groups, and investor syndicates banding together to challenge unfair franchisor practices or combat system-wide changes. We understand the dynamics of collective franchisee advocacy and have successfully led individual and class-action efforts. Whether you are acting alone or standing with others, we are prepared to fight for your interests.
Our Business Attorneys Serve Franchisees Throughout Central Florida
While our client base spans the country and extends internationally, our firm has deep roots in Central Florida. Our full-service office is located in Orlando, a city that happens to be one of the largest hubs for franchising in the U.S. Many of the nation’s top franchise brands are headquartered in Florida, and countless franchisees operate throughout the state, making Central Florida a critical region for franchise law.
Our Orlando office serves franchisees across Tampa, Jacksonville, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Gainesville, and beyond, providing strategic guidance tailored to Florida law and local business conditions. Whether facing a lease dispute in a downtown retail space or dealing with unfair trade practices by a franchisor based in the state, our local presence means faster, more accessible legal support and a better understanding of what is happening in your market.
Beyond Florida, our firm operates offices in Newport Beach, California, and Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania, allowing us to support franchisees nationwide. We regularly advise clients throughout the U.S. and abroad, combining our focused franchise law practice with an understanding of regional legal landscapes. If you are looking for a business lawyer near you, rest assured that you have found a team that is geographically accessible and nationally respected in franchise law.
Contact Our Franchisee Business Lawyer Near Me Law Firm Today
Luther Lanard, PC, understands that your franchise is more than just a business. It is your livelihood, investment, and future. Our business attorney is committed to providing you with the highest level of legal guidance and personalized attention to help you navigate the complexities of franchise law and achieve your business goals.
If you are a franchisee in Central Florida or anywhere in the nation seeking a dedicated business lawyer near you with focused franchise law proficiency, we are here to help. Contact our law firm today for a confidential consultation, and let us become your trusted legal partner in franchise success. We are ready to put our knowledge and experience to work for you, ensuring your franchise journey is legally sound and commercially prosperous.