Franchise Law
Dedicated To Franchise Success
ZMA Legal is dedicated to representing the rights and interests of franchisees. We understand that legal concerns of franchisees can be especially complex, and managing those legal concerns can be key to maintaining a franchise’s success. From our office in Illinois, we serve the needs of clients nationwide.

Full-Service Support Services for Franchisees:
- Analyzing a franchise
- Purchasing or selling franchise locations
- Formation of new businesses, including corporations, LLCs, startups and partnerships
- Drafting operating documents for corporations, limited liability companies, general and limited partnerships and others
- Corporate restructuring
- Drafting and negotiating franchise and lease assignments
- Evaluating franchise disclosure documents (FDDs)
- Reviewing and negotiating leases and ground leases
- Negotiating and drafting construction agreements
- Negotiating transfer and franchise fees
- Updating ongoing franchise agreements
- Enforcing contracts, resolving termination conflicts
- Resolving franchise disputes through litigation or alternative dispute resolution (ADR)
The Situation
Client is a franchisee of a popular restaurant with over 100 locations across the country. Client wanted us to review its current leases and negotiate any new leases and renewals.
What We Did:
We helped our client gain liquidity by determining which deposits we could recoup and negotiating new leases limiting the use of security deposits. First we created a template for streamlining lease negotiations and created standard terms that we must have in every lease. We then negotiated terms with landlords to limit financial exposure, minimizing personal guaranties, and to give flexibility to leases so that they can be terminated early or easily assigned.
The Situation
Client is a franchisee of a popular restaurant with over 100 locations across the country. Client wanted us to review its current leases and negotiate any new leases and renewals.
What We Did:
We helped our client gain liquidity by determining which deposits we could recoup and negotiating new leases limiting the use of security deposits. First we created a template for streamlining lease negotiations and created standard terms that we must have in every lease. We then negotiated terms with landlords to limit financial exposure, minimizing personal guaranties, and to give flexibility to leases so that they can be terminated early or easily assigned.

Franchisees We Represent:
- Dunkin’
- Jimmy John’s
- Arby’s
- Smoothie King
- Subway
- Pet Supplies Plus
- Marriott
- Hilton
- Holiday Inn
- Wingstop
- Papa John’s
- Domino’s
- Shell
- Mobil