Defaults & Termination
We help franchisors enforce system standards, and if necessary, terminate franchisees. We also work with franchisors in structuring workarounds and settlements that may not require termination.
Terminating a franchisee is never easy or pleasant. We get that. Terminating a franchisee is complicated by business issues—such as whether to terminate a franchisee and how to enforce post-termination obligations such as collecting past due amounts and removing proprietary signs and other items from the franchisee’s business—and legal issues. Several states have “relationship laws” which govern the relationship between the franchisor and existing franchisees. These relationship laws vary state-by-state, but generally describe the situations that a franchisor can terminate a franchisee when the franchisee is in default under the Franchise Agreement.
Default and Cure Notices
Most of these state relationship laws require that the franchisor give the franchisee a written default notice and opportunity to cure before formerly terminating the Franchise Agreement. The cure period may vary depending on the type of breach and the applicable state law. Further, the Franchise Agreement typically sets forth the grounds for termination and provides for a notice period and opportunity to cure before the Franchise Agreement can be terminated by the franchisor.
Terminating Franchisees
Once the default notice requirements are met, if the franchisee does not timely cure the default, the franchisor may have the right to terminate the franchise. Terminating a franchise requires complying with all post-term obligations under the Franchise Agreement, including de-identification of the location (such as removal of signs, branded items, and paint colors) and also formerly documenting the termination of the Franchise Agreement and collecting any remaining payments due.
Services
We’ll review with you the grounds for termination, and then develop a proper course of action, including workarounds that may not require termination. If termination is inevitable, we’ll review the Franchise Agreement and applicable law and prepare the proper default and termination notices.
Terminating a franchisee requires determining the applicable state law that applies to the franchise relationship. Most state franchise relationship laws apply to franchisees that are residents of the state, to franchises located in the state, and to franchisors located in the state. Sometimes more than one state law may apply. Next, the franchisor must also comply with the notice and cure periods in the Franchise Agreement. Failure to comply with the state relationship law and the Franchise Agreement would invalidate the termination notice and expose the franchisor to claims from the franchisee for wrongful termination.
If a dispute arises, our franchise litigators have your back. Our attorneys have extensive experience regarding allegations of wrongful termination and enforcing post-termination obligations through mediations, arbitrations, and the court system.
