Introduction

Preti Flaherty has the largest franchise law practice in northern New England.  While our practice is national and international in scope, our primary focus is on emerging franchises in a variety of industries, from home, real estate brokerage and engineering services to restaurants and ice cream shops.  The majority of our clients are franchisors, but we also represent multiple outlet, area development and individual franchises on corporate, regulatory, tax, finance, real estate, employment, intellectual property and related matters.

Client Services

Our franchise law practice assists clients with structuring their franchise system by preparing Franchise Offering Circulars to comply with applicable state, federal and international disclosure requirements and registering them with regulatory authorities.  This process includes the creation of franchise, area development, master franchise, joint venture and related agreements.  As well as advising clients on trademark availability, registering of trademarks, copywriting proprietary material, software protection, and methods of enforcement against infringement.

In the event that it becomes necessary, our firm has experience in a variety of franchise dispute resolution forums, including mediation, arbitration, and litigation on behalf of franchisors and franchisees.

Finally, we draw on our firm's general practice to counsel our franchise clients in a variety of other areas, including counseling on real estate, finance, tax employment, regulatory, legislative, anti-trust, business and international law, as the need arises from time to time.

Representative Clients

Aging Excellence, Amato's Sandwich Shops, Applegate Farm Ice Cream, Criterium Engineers, Fire + Ice Improvisational Grill, JungleQuest, Maine Auto Dealers Association, SeptiTech, Starlite Diners and Toddle Inn Child Care Centers.