Stuck in a Bad Franchise? You Have More Options Than You Think.
Franchisees facing disputes, unlawful termination, broken promises, or a franchise they want out of are often told they have no options. That is rarely true. Lopes Law represents franchisees across the country, and we know how to find leverage even when the agreement seems one-sided.
Flat fees. No hourly billing. Free initial consultation.
If Any of These Sound Familiar, You Need to Talk to an Attorney
Franchise disputes take many forms. What they have in common is that franchisees often feel powerless and isolated. They are not.
The Franchisor Is Threatening Termination
Termination notices often arrive without proper legal grounds, or with alleged violations that are pretextual. We review the notice, assess whether the franchisor followed proper procedures, and defend your rights aggressively.
The System Isn't What You Were Sold
Misrepresentation during the sales process, failure to deliver promised support, earnings claims that don't reflect reality. These may give rise to legal claims regardless of what the franchise agreement says.
You Want Out and Don't Know How
Exit options exist even in agreements that seem airtight. We identify negotiated exit strategies, evaluate the enforceability of non-compete provisions, and find pathways to resolution that don't require years of litigation.
The Franchisor Is Encroaching on Your Territory
Opening competing locations, selling through alternative channels, or allowing other franchisees to operate in your protected area. These are violations that your agreement may entitle you to remedy.
Fee Disputes and Royalty Overcharges
Franchisors sometimes audit franchisees aggressively or assess fees that aren't properly owed. We review the financial records and the agreement to determine what you actually owe and what you don't.
You Are Being Pushed Into an Unfavorable Renewal
Renewal terms can change dramatically, and franchisors sometimes use the renewal process as leverage. We help you understand your options, negotiate better terms, or pursue alternatives before you sign again.
Resolution Strategies Matched to Your Situation
Every dispute is different. We assess your options honestly and pursue the path that gets you the best outcome with the least time and cost.
Negotiated Exit
Many franchise disputes end in negotiated settlements before any formal legal process. We identify your leverage, draft a strategy, and negotiate directly with the franchisor to reach an exit on terms that protect you.
Termination Defense
If you've received a termination notice, you may have grounds to challenge it. We review the notice, the agreement, and the underlying facts to determine your options and respond aggressively on your behalf.
Mediation and Arbitration
Most franchise agreements require disputes to go to mediation or arbitration before litigation. We represent franchisees through the full alternative dispute resolution process with the same rigor as courtroom advocacy.
Litigation
When negotiation and ADR don't resolve the dispute, we take cases to court. We have the litigation experience to pursue your claims and defend against the franchisor's counterclaims aggressively and effectively.
Misrepresentation Claims
If you were sold a franchise based on false or misleading earnings claims, inflated projections, or undisclosed material facts, you may have claims that go beyond the four corners of the franchise agreement.
Non-Compete Analysis
Post-termination non-compete provisions are often overly broad and sometimes unenforceable. We analyze the scope and validity of your non-compete obligations so you know what you can and cannot do after exiting.
Our client came to us after their franchisor failed to deliver on core support promises. Through targeted negotiation and a clear legal strategy, we secured a full settlement without ever entering the courtroom. Results vary by case, but this reflects what's possible when you have the right representation.
We Know the Franchisor's Playbook Because We've Written It
We represent both franchisors and franchisees. That means we know exactly how franchisors think, what they push for, and where their leverage actually ends.
Both-Sides Experience
We draft franchise agreements for franchisors and fight for franchisees. That dual perspective gives us a precise read on where the real leverage is in any dispute.
BigLaw Training, Direct Access
Managing Partner Anthony Lopes trained at Duane Morris LLP, an AmLaw 100 firm. You get that caliber of representation working directly with Anthony, not a junior associate.
Flat Fees for Predictable Costs
We charge flat fees for most franchise dispute work, so you know your legal costs upfront. No open-ended hourly billing that compounds the financial stress of a dispute.
Honest Assessment First
We tell you what your options actually are, including when the best path is a negotiated exit rather than years of litigation. Straight answers, not prolonged engagement.
Lopes Law helped us recover over $83,000 from our franchisor, without ever filing a lawsuit. They understood the franchise relationship better than any attorney we had spoken with. We felt protected from day one.
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Anthony Lopes founded Lopes Law to give franchisees access to the same quality of legal representation that franchisors have been relying on for decades.
Before founding the firm, he trained and practiced at Duane Morris LLP, one of the country's largest law firms, where he gained experience representing sophisticated commercial clients. He holds a J.D. from Temple University's James E. Beasley School of Law and an LL.M. in Taxation.
He represents both franchisors and franchisees, which gives him a complete understanding of how these disputes unfold on both sides of the table. That perspective is the difference between an attorney who reacts to the franchisor's moves and one who anticipates them.
When you hire Lopes Law, you work directly with Anthony from day one.
Common Questions About Franchise Disputes
Tell Us What's Happening. We'll Tell You What Your Options Are.
Your first consultation is free. Bring your termination notice, your franchise agreement, a description of the dispute, or just the situation as you understand it. We will give you a straight assessment of where you stand and what can be done.
No commitment. No pressure. A real conversation with an attorney who has handled these disputes from both sides.
145 Greenwood Ave, Suite 400, Wyncote, PA 19095
Serving Clients Nationally
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Prefer to reach us directly? Call (267) 777-9117.