Don't Sign a Franchise Agreement Until You Know Exactly What's In It
The FDD is a legal document designed by the franchisor's lawyers to protect the franchisor. Before you commit your savings to a franchise, get an independent attorney to review it for you. Lopes Law provides clear, plain-language FDD reviews with flat fees and no surprises.
Flat fees. No hourly billing. Free initial consultation.
Most Franchisees Sign Without Fully Understanding What They Agreed To
The FDD can run 300 pages or more. It's written in legal language and structured to protect the franchisor. Here's what prospective franchisees regularly miss before signing.
Hidden Fees in the Fine Print
Royalties, marketing fund contributions, technology fees, renewal fees, transfer fees. The total cost of ownership is often far higher than the initial investment figure suggests. We break down every financial obligation so you know the real number.
Territory That Isn't as Protected as You Think
Many franchise agreements offer far less territorial protection than the sales pitch implies. We review the exact geographic and channel protections in your agreement and flag where the franchisor retains the right to compete with you.
Renewal and Exit Terms That Favor the Franchisor
Renewal isn't automatic, and the franchisor can change the terms. Exit clauses, transfer restrictions, and non-compete provisions can leave you with few options if things don't go as planned. We make sure you understand what you're agreeing to before you sign.
Item 19 Financials That Don't Tell the Whole Story
Item 19 of the FDD is where franchisors can include (or omit) financial performance representations. We analyze what's disclosed, what's left out, and whether the numbers support the investment thesis you were presented.
A Complete Franchise Validation, Not Just a Document Scan
We go beyond reading the FDD. Our franchise validation process gives you a full picture of what you're considering.
FDD Review, All 23 Items
We read every item of the FDD, identify the terms that matter most to your situation, and explain them in plain language. No legalese. Just clear answers.
Franchise Agreement Analysis
The franchise agreement is the binding contract. We compare it to the FDD, flag discrepancies, identify one-sided provisions, and advise on what's negotiable.
Franchisor Background Check
We review litigation history, regulatory actions, franchisee turnover data (Item 20), and the franchisor's financial stability to assess system-level risk.
Item 19 Financial Review
We analyze the financial performance representations (or the absence of them) and help you evaluate whether the investment thesis holds up under scrutiny.
Negotiation Support
More is negotiable than franchisors typically disclose. We identify the provisions worth pushing on and negotiate on your behalf before you sign.
Plain-Language Summary Report
You get a written summary of key findings, red flags, and recommended next steps, written in language you can actually act on.
Simple, Transparent, and Built Around Your Timeline
Free Consultation
We learn about your franchise opportunity and what stage you're at. No charge, no obligation.
Flat Fee Quote
We give you a clear, upfront fee for the review scope. No hourly surprises. You know the cost before any work begins.
Full Review
We review the FDD, the franchise agreement, and any other documents. Turnaround is typically 5 to 7 business days.
Your Debrief
We walk you through the findings, answer your questions, and help you decide your next step with full information.
We Know What Franchisors Hope You Won't Notice
Because we also represent franchisors, we know exactly what goes into these documents and where the risks are buried.
We Represent Both Sides
We represent franchisors and franchisees. That dual perspective means we know the playbook on both sides of the table, which makes us more effective for you.
BigLaw Background, Direct Access
Managing Partner Anthony Lopes trained at Duane Morris LLP, an AmLaw 100 national firm. When you hire us, you work directly with Anthony, not a junior associate.
Flat Fees Only
No hourly billing. No open-ended invoices. You know the exact cost of your FDD review before we start. Our fees are straightforward and disclosed upfront.
Built Around Your Timeline
The FDD review period has a clock. We move quickly, communicate clearly, and make sure you have what you need to make a decision before your window closes.
Lopes Law reviewed our FDD before we signed and flagged three provisions we would never have caught ourselves. They explained everything in plain language and helped us negotiate better terms. Worth every penny before committing to a 10-year agreement.
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Anthony Lopes built Lopes Law around one idea: franchise clients deserve the same quality of legal work as Fortune 500 companies, without the billing structure that makes it inaccessible.
Before founding the firm, he trained and practiced at Duane Morris LLP, one of the country's largest law firms. He holds a J.D. from Temple University's James E. Beasley School of Law and an LL.M. in Taxation.
He has reviewed hundreds of FDDs across dozens of franchise systems, representing both franchisees evaluating opportunities and franchisors building disclosure documents. That experience on both sides gives him a precise sense of what matters in a franchise document and what's standard boilerplate.
When you hire Lopes Law, you work directly with Anthony, not a paralegal or associate.
Common Questions About Franchise Validation
Ready to Review Your Franchise Opportunity?
Your first consultation is free. Bring your FDD, your franchise agreement, or just the name of the franchise you are considering. We will tell you exactly what to look for and what your options are.
No commitment. No pressure. A real conversation with a franchise attorney who has been on both sides of these deals.
145 Greenwood Ave, Suite 400, Wyncote, PA 19095
Serving Clients Nationally
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