What Does a Franchise Attorney Actually Do?
A franchise attorney is not just FDD review — they're your second set of eyes on the most consequential contract of your life.
A franchise attorney specializes in franchise law and brings two things general attorneys don't: deep familiarity with franchise contract patterns and direct experience negotiating with franchisor legal teams.
FDD Review
The attorney reads the FDD and franchise agreement, flags problematic clauses, identifies items most buyers miss (post-term non-competes, personal guarantees, transfer restrictions), and prepares a memo summarizing risks.
Negotiation
On items that are negotiable, the attorney drafts proposed redlines and engages directly with the franchisor's legal counsel. This is much more productive than buyer-direct negotiation.
Entity Formation
Most franchise attorneys also help form your LLC or S-Corp, draft operating agreements, and structure ownership for tax efficiency and asset protection.
What It Costs
Expect $2,500–$6,500 for full FDD review, agreement negotiation, and entity formation. This is not the place to save money. The wrong language in section 17 can cost you tens of thousands later.
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