Franchise
6 articles about franchise, written to help normal people read contracts with more confidence. Product comparisons now live in /compare.
Area Development Rights: The Fine Print
Area development rights give exclusivity in a defined territory under a defined development schedule. The schedule, grace periods, and consequences of missed milestones are where exclusivity evaporates.
Read article →FDD Item 19 Earnings Claims: What's Real vs. Fiction
FDD Item 19 is voluntary disclosure. The structure of what franchisors include (and what they exclude) often matters more than the headline numbers. How to read Item 19 like a buyer.
FDD Item 3 Litigation: How to Read It
FDD Item 3 discloses the franchisor's litigation history. Ten years of pending and closed cases. What the patterns tell you about the franchisor's enforcement posture and how to weigh it before signing.
Franchise Non-Compete Scope: State-by-State
Franchise non-compete enforceability varies dramatically by state. California voids most. Florida enforces aggressively. How to read your state's position before you sign and what alternatives exist in restrictive states.
Multi-Unit Development Agreements Explained
Multi-unit development agreements (MUDAs) lock franchisees into multi-unit commitments with discounted fees. Cross-default scope, personal guarantee exposure, and the development schedule language that amplifies downside.
Personal Guarantees in Franchise Agreements
Franchise agreements typically require personal guarantees from the franchisee and spouse. Carve-outs for homestead, retirement accounts, and tenants-by-entirety property determine what household assets are reachable.