Maryland lawmakers passed the biggest update to the state’s franchise rules in more than 40 years. The Franchise Reform Act (Senate Bill 415 and House Bill 730) cleared the General Assembly by wide margins. Governor approval followed, and the new provisions take effect October 1, 2026. This is the first significant change to the Maryland […]

The post Maryland Just Amended its Franchise Law. Here’s What You Need to Know. appeared first on The Franchise King®.

The FDD contains 23 legally required disclosure items covering the franchisor’s background, fees, obligations, territory, financial performance, and contracts. The FTC requires them but does not verify them Again, those 23 items in the FDD are not verified. What? That’s right. Although the U.S. government (via the Federal Trade Commission), requires every franchise company (franchisor) […]

The post What Are The 23 Items in a FDD? (Franchise Disclosure Document) appeared first on The Franchise King®.

Hiring a franchise lawyer before you buy a franchise is one of the smartest moves you can make. Not hiring one is always a mistake. But here’s something most franchise buyers don’t understand. Franchise lawyers answer legal questions. Not business questions. That distinction matters. A lot. When you blur the line, two bad things happen. […]

The post 5 Questions You Should Never Ask a Franchise Lawyer appeared first on The Franchise King®.

The biggest red flags in a Franchise Disclosure Document are a pattern of litigation or bankruptcy, vague or unusually high fees, a missing or suspicious Item 19 earnings claim, high franchisee turnover in Item 20, and weak financials from the franchisor in Item 21. Any one of these is worth a closer look. Several of […]

The post 5 FDD Red Flags That Should Give You Cause For Pause appeared first on The Franchise King®.

This: What is your favorite part of being a Franchise Attorney? But before I share their answers, you need to know that Franchise Attorneys are among the most specialized legal professionals in practice today. They don’t dabble. They go deep into one narrow discipline — and they have to know it cold. Consider what that […]

The post Franchise Attorneys Field a Lot of Questions. Not This One. appeared first on The Franchise King®.

(This stressed out aspiring franchisee clearly needs to hire a franchise lawyer!) You’ve found a franchise you’re pumped about. The brand looks solid. The numbers seem right. The franchisor’s sales rep is friendly and responsive. Everything feels good. So you sign the franchise agreement and write the check. Big mistake. Why? Because, before you put […]

The post Do You Need a Franchise Lawyer? appeared first on The Franchise King®.

(Written as an experienced franchise professional. Not a franchise lawyer. I’m not giving legal advice here.) In case you don’t know, when you invest in a franchise, you’re buying into a proven system. But that system comes with rules. And they’re spelled out in the franchise agreement. With restrictions. Let’s talk about what those rules […]

The post Understanding Those Darn Franchise Agreement Restrictions appeared first on The Franchise King®.

Spoiler Alert! Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDD’s) are free. That’s right. The super important FDD documents that franchisors need to provide aspiring franchisees with won’t cost you a dime. Why? Because, whenever you’re seriously looking into a particular franchise to own, the franchisor will send it to you via email. It’s the law. According to the […]

The post How To Get Free Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDD’s) in 2026 appeared first on The Franchise King®.

Thinking about moving forward with franchise ownership without legal guidance? My experience in franchising tells me that doing that is like navigating a minefield blindfolded. In this post, I’ll explore why not hiring a franchise attorney could cost you far more than what they charge you for their guidance. Key Takeaways The Big Picture Reality: Most entrepreneurs think […]

The post The Risks and Consequences of Not Hiring a Franchise Attorney appeared first on The Franchise King®.

The state of New York has introduced major legislation affecting the quick-service industry. This proposal (Senate Bill S7289), creates the “New York State Fast Food Franchisor Accountability Act.” It’s currently moving through the 2025-2026 Legislative Session. This is important news for the entire franchising sector. Read why. Key Takeaways The law’s goal is simple. It […]

The post New York is Trying to Force Big Fast Food Franchises to Share the Risk appeared first on The Franchise King®.