I’ve stressed the importance of trademarks on many occasions. In short, owning (and controlling) the brand name is essential on the journey of franchising. It’s one of the many reasons that California cannabis companies can’t franchise. 

As a franchise lawyer, I see the incredible value for business owners to take a proven business model and rapidly expand through franchising. It also builds in revenue streams and places dedicated individuals at the helm of each individual franchise unit.

Wouldn’t it be great if we took a page out of Disney’s book and everything finished with a happy ending? Unfortunately, real life doesn’t include fairy godmothers, genies, and an endless stream of happy endings. In the franchising world, disputes happen. When they can’t be resolved in-house, the two parties end up in litigation.

In case you haven’t noticed, we’re in the midst of a marketing revolution. With the rise of social media, video, and whatever the next new platform brewing below the surface is, businesses can easily get overwhelmed when putting together a marketing plan. Yet, effective marketing becomes increasingly important in the face of stiff competition and crowded marketplaces.