Fitness
franchises can be very lucrative, particularly in outdoor-oriented regions like
South Florida. In recent years, fitness franchises specifically catering to
women have become especially popular. These businesses fill a consumer need
very well, and when run properly, a fitness franchise can be a terrific
business opportunity. If you're interested in a fitness franchise, one of your
first business decisions should be enlisting the help of a franchise attorney.
Restaurant
Franchises
The
restaurant franchise is perhaps the most well-known type of franchise. Such
franchises may be casual "sit-down" dining restaurants, fast food
businesses, frozen yogurt shops, and many other variations. They can be
tremendously successful in areas that are underserved by restaurants. Entering
into a restaurant franchise requires hard work and a keen understanding of how
franchises work. Your franchise lawyer in Miami can guide you so you can make
the most of this type of opportunity.
Printing
Franchises
We
may live in the age of electronic communications, but printing franchises still
fill important needs for hard copy document production and related services.
These franchises may also offer other in-demand services like photo
enlargement, printing of wedding invitations, and creation of signs and
brochures. A South Florida franchise lawyer can help ensure the success of your
printing business.
Real
Estate Franchises
Real
estate franchises are, if anything, more popular than they were before the 2008
housing crisis. This type of franchise offers the security of a large
corporation while allowing Realtors to sell houses and make money. Your Miami
franchise lawyer can help you understand what is required of you when you buy a
real estate franchise, including your marketing options, non-compete
agreements, and selling requirements.
Your
Franchisee Attorney and You
Working
with a franchisee attorney from the start is highly recommended. He or she
should have experience with different types of franchises, including the type
you're interested in. South Florida is a great place to start a business, and
franchises are a way for people to have a degree of autonomy while working with
brands that have national recognition. Your franchise lawyer can help you get
your franchise off to the best possible start.
A
licensor is someone who has an idea, invention, or design that he or she
licenses to established businesses. When someone licenses an idea, invention,
or design, the manufacturing of products, marketing, and sales are done by the
licensee. The licensor receives royalties on sales of the product. While being
a licensor minimizes risk, it generally results in a smaller financial return
than if the licensor manufactured and sold products directly.
How
Licensors Make Money from Licenses
Licensors
make money from royalties paid by licensees. They can increase income by
licensing to multiple licensees. For example, suppose you created an original
graphic design and licensed it to a t-shirt maker. The t-shirt maker pays you
royalties on all sales of t-shirts with your design on them. You could also
license your design to other licensees, such as a licensee making coffee mugs.
What
Is a Licensee?
A
licensee sells products using the design, idea, or invention of another
company. For example, a poster maker may obtain a license to use someone else's
graphic design on posters. Every time one of those posters sells, the licensee
pays a percentage of the net sales to the licensor. A licensee "borrows"
interest in a unique invention or design in order to make money selling
products that use that invention or design.
How
Licensees Make Money from Licenses
When
a licensee gains licensing rights, he or she manufactures products with that
brand or design and sells them, paying a percentage of sales to the licensor,
but retaining the rest of the net sales. For example, if you wanted to
manufacture socks with a designer name, you would apply for licensing rights,
and if successful, manufacture socks with the designer's name or logo on them,
paying a percentage of sales to the designer.
The
Role of the Licensing Firm
Working
with a licensing firm is critical whether you're a licensor or licensee. A good
licensing lawyer can save you from an expensive mistake, help you protect your
intellectual property, or help you avoid a lawsuit over improper licensing.
Working with a licensing attorney from the start is highly recommended for both
licensees and licensors.
In
theory, breach of contract is simple: one party did not live up to the terms of
a contract to which he or she agreed. In practice, however, breach of contract
cases can be extremely complicated and require the services of a skilled
commercial litigation lawyer to settle. For the business owner, breach of
contract cases are the most common causes of legal action, but you shouldn't
trust your case to just any commercial litigation lawyer.
Partnership
and LLC Member Disputes
Disputes
involving partnerships and limited liability companies may be similar to breach
of contract cases, but settling them often requires a business attorney with
experience in mediating and litigating this specific kind of problem. Emotions
can run high in partnership or LLC disputes, which is why it's important to
work with an attorney who can work with the facts of the case.
Mergers
and Acquisitions
Mergers
and acquisitions can represent exciting opportunities, but to be done
successfully, they must clearly spell out what happens to all parties after the
transaction occurs. Sometimes stockholders object to terms of a merger, and in
some cases acquisitions can be "hostile." A skilled and experienced
legal team is vital to the success of a newly merged or acquired business.
Emergency
Business Litigation Cases
With
some business situations, parties must act quickly, and your commercial
litigation attorney can make the difference between a clean and fair
confrontation and a legal disaster. Sometimes cases arise where preliminary
injunctions or temporary restraining orders are necessary, and you need a
business attorney with the proven track record to represent your interests
aggressively.
Does
Your Business Litigation Lawyer Have a Proven Track Record?
When
it's your business at stake, you don't want to rely on just any business litigationlawyer. Look for experience specific to your situation and look for someone
with a proven track record of success. Ask specifically if an attorney has
experience in construction disputes, real estate transactions, franchising,
stockholder disputes or whatever type of legal problem you face. Business law can
be tremendously complex, so you need legal counsel that has demonstrated skill
in cases like yours.
