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Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Franchise Agreements

DLA Piper

The SBA Franchise Directory is Back

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The US Small Business Administration (SBA) has reinstated its SBA Franchise Directory after a two-year hiatus. Widely hailed as a valuable resource by stakeholders, the SBA Franchise Directory is a list of franchisors...more

Lewitt Hackman

Service Franchisors: New Rules in California for Automatic Renewals July 1st

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From streaming services and gym memberships to software vendor agreements and e-commerce franchises, automatic contract renewals are common occurrences. Currently, California law protects consumers regarding automatic renewal...more

Polsinelli

2024 Recap of Franchise Developments and 2025 Trends to Watch

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There were a number of important and potentially impactful developments in 2024 that we predict will continuing developing and trending in 2025. Some of these topics are also discussed in other articles in this annual update....more

Foley & Lardner LLP

Navigating Non-Compete Agreements: Key Considerations for In-House Counsel in Franchise Businesses

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In May of last year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) sought to ban non-compete agreements in most employment contracts. Franchise agreements were an exception. However, before the rule could take effect in September, a...more

Polsinelli

NASAA Supports Reasonable Post-Term Non-Competes in Franchise Agreements

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Last year saw non-compete agreements come under repeated scrutiny from the Federal Trade Commission. On April 23, 2024, the FTC issued a final rule banning non-compete agreements in most employment contracts....more

Lewitt Hackman

NASAA Guidance for Franchise Non-Competes

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Last May, the Federal Trade Commission looked to ban non-compete agreements in most employment contracts aside from franchise agreements. Although scheduled to become effective in September, a federal court vacated the ruling...more

Troutman Pepper Locke

FTC and DOJ Issue Antitrust Guidelines for Business Activities Affecting Workers

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On January 16, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) issued “Antitrust Guidelines for Business Activities Affecting Workers” (2025 Guidelines). The 2025 Guidelines aim to “promote clarity and...more

BakerHostetler

Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission Release Guidelines on Business Practices That Impact Workers

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On January 16, 2025, in the waning hours of the Biden-Harris administration, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) jointly released their “Antitrust Guidelines for Business Activities Affecting...more

Foley & Lardner LLP

Louisiana Based Franchisor and Its Employees Cannot Avoid Personal Jurisdiction in Washington State

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Washington-state based franchisees Greg and Gabriela Skistimas brought suit against Hotworx Franchising LLC in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington alleging misleading and unfair practices related to...more

Seyfarth Shaw LLP

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Upholds 7-Eleven Franchise System in Denying Franchisees’ Challenge to Their Independent...

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On September 5, 2024, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (“SJC”) answered a second certified question in Patel, et al. v. 7-Eleven, Inc., et al. (“Patel II”), a long-running case where 7-Eleven franchisees claimed they...more

Akerman LLP

Leisure Law Insider (Vol. 3) - Summer 2024

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Welcome to the third edition of The Leisure Law Insider! Released quarterly, we cover the latest news and developments in leisure and hospitality law, regulation, and policy. Expect content on hotels, franchising, labor and...more

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP

Warns Franchisors Against Unfair Practices and Spotlights Risks in Franchising

The FTC administers the federal franchise sales law, which requires all franchisors engaged in franchise sales in the United States to deliver a franchise disclosure document (FDD) to their prospective franchise buyers unless...more

Foley & Lardner LLP

Federal Trade Commission Issues Policy Statement on Franchisors’ Use of Non-Disparagement, Goodwill, and Confidentiality Clauses...

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On July 12, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a policy statement regarding franchisors’ use of contract provisions such as non-disparagement, goodwill, and confidentiality clauses. This is another example of the...more

Morgan Lewis

FTC Expands Its Focus on Franchising Regulation with New Policy Statement and Staff Guidance

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The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on July 12, 2024 released a policy statement warning that the use of contract provisions that prohibit franchisees from communicating with the government about legal violations are unlawful....more

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP

FTC reminds industries of its enforcement of the Franchisee Rule

On July 12, the FTC released a new policy statement, staff guidance, and an issue spotlight about allegedly unfair and deceptive practices by franchisors. The policy statement addressed the FTC’s concerns that franchisees...more

Cozen O'Connor

FTC Announces New Efforts Targeting Unfair and Deceptive Franchisor Practices

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The FTC announced that it has taken multiple actions to address growing concern about unfair and deceptive practices by franchisors. The FTC released a Policy Statement on Franchisors’ Use of Contract Provisions, Including...more

Lathrop GPM

FTC Takes Action Impacting the Franchise Relationship

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On Friday, July 12, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) published an analysis of the information it received in response to its Request for Information related to  franchisors’ business practices, launched in March...more

Troutman Pepper Locke

The FTC Intervenes in Franchise Relationships

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The U.S. Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) latest policy statement aims to dictate the outcome of contract negotiations between franchisors and their franchisees and to limit the potential negative impact on franchisees of...more

Polsinelli

Impact of the Texas Federal Judge Partially Blocking FTC Ban on Non-Competes for Franchisors and Franchisees

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As reported on July 3 by the Polsinelli Labor & Employment practice group alert, by order dated July 3, 2024 the Northern District of Texas granted a preliminary injunction preventing the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) from...more

Kaufman & Canoles

New Principles of Franchising from the IFA Legal Symposium

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The International Franchise Association (IFA) recently announced its core practices of responsible franchising and policy recommendations. The principles are grounded in transparency during the franchise sales process through...more

Akerman LLP

New FTC Rule Spares Non-Compete Clauses That Bind Franchisees, But Bans Most “Worker” Non-Compete Clauses

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On April 23, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) voted to issue a Non-Compete Clause Rule that would ban most non-compete clauses in agreements between businesses and their “workers.” The final rule will take effect 120...more

UB Greensfelder LLP

FTC Issues Rule Prohibiting Non-Competes

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On April 23, 2034, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a final rule intended to ban the use and enforcement of most non-compete clauses signed by workers. The new rule is not in effect yet. It will become...more

BakerHostetler

Voluntary Dismissal as DOJ Contemplates Future of Criminal No-Poach Cases

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As we previously wrote, the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) April 2023 loss in United States v. Patel, its fourth in a criminal no-poach case, cast a pall over the agency’s enforcement efforts. The following month, the DOJ...more

ArentFox Schiff

Hospitality: 2023 Year in Review

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As we enter the final quarter of 2023, the ArentFox Schiff Hospitality Industry group has identified several opportunities and challenges that could impact the hospitality industry, including issues related to artificial...more

Ward and Smith, P.A.

How Fast Can I Franchise? Hold On a Minute

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Are you a small business owner who has considered franchising your business? Franchising can be a great way to expand your company's physical presence, grow your revenue, and increase your brand recognition....more

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