Understanding Franchise Compliance Matters
Operating a national franchise program requires a significant amount of investment and attention to legal obligations and duties. At Carter & Tani, Attorneys at Law, our lawyers provide extensive training and education to franchisors, subfranchisors and their franchise sellers nationwide on franchise law compliance.
Our Chicago area franchise law attorneys are committed to providing franchisors and subfranchisors with the education and tools they need to protect their investment and prevent violations of federal and state franchise laws and regulations. Contact us to discuss your legal concerns with one of our experienced franchise attorneys in Wheaton, Illinois.
Offering Training to Avoid Compliance Concerns
We work with clients to train management, franchise sellers, subfranchisors/master franchisees, area developers, franchise brokers, and other individuals involved in the franchise sales process and who could potentially create liability for franchisors. We want to help you avoid liability in order to have a strong franchise program.
The civil and criminal penalties associated with a violation can be serious, including unenforceability of franchise agreements, suspension of franchise registrations, disclosure of violations in the Franchise Disclosure Document, fines, or even imprisonment. Our training can provide you with the information you need to successfully operate a franchise and covers many aspects, including:
- Amended FTC Rule
- State franchise laws
- Franchise law violations
- Avoiding fraud and misrepresentation
- Pre-sale discussions and negotiations
- Financial performance representations
- Franchise advertising
- Franchise relationship laws
- Registration and disclosure
Our attorneys provide classes and manuals on preventing franchise law violations. By preventing franchise law violations, you can avoid jeopardizing your franchise registrations, protect the enforceability of your franchise agreements, and limit legal claims by franchisees or actions by franchise regulators.
Franchisors Can Unintentionally Violate the Law
Franchisors and Franchise sellers can unintentionally violate the franchise law in many ways such as:
- Not complying fully with disclosure requirements
- Making unauthorized financial performance representations
- Providing inconsistent information to buyers
- Website content or advertising information being inconsistent with what is in the Franchise Disclosure Documents or franchise agreement
- Failing to comply with delivery requirements and waiting periods
The potential errors are numerous and can be difficult to avoid without proper training
Addressing Non-Compliance Claims With the Government
If someone has reported your franchise company for misconduct or non-compliance with the law, federal and/or state franchise regulators may investigate that claim. If you have received a government inquiry, contact our franchise attorneys immediately. We will investigate the facts related to the alleged misconduct or non-compliance and prepare a response to the government on your behalf.
Contact Our Chicago Area Franchise Lawyers for Training
Any adverse consequences against your franchise must be disclosed in your Franchise Disclosure Document for at least 10 years. Do not let a government inquiry or legal actions by franchisees impede the growth of your company. Contact our law firm to learn how we can help your franchise remain in compliance with the law. We offer consultations from our law office in the Chicago suburb of Wheaton, Illinois.