A lawyer can substantially increase a client’s chance of success in a restaurant lease–or at least minimize the risk of failure–in two ways: first, by reviewing and negotiating the lease of the restaurant’s premises, identifying and evaluating the risks and negotiating changes, and secondly, through the careful review and negotiation of the franchise agreement if the client pursues that option.
Franchised operations are popular for people investing in restaurants as this purchase can give restaurateurs a head start in terms of brand recognition, marketing, consistency of food quality, and service. However, signing a boilerplate franchise agreement is not necessarily a recipe for success. It is essential that the franchise agreement and the commercial lease harmonize so that adherence to one document does not cause a violation with the other.
Among the topics covered in the restaurant section are:
- Computation of rental charges and rent offsets
- Operational issues: hours, go dark provisions, definition of premises, and more
- Construction
- The emerging category of ‘grocerants’
Chapters focused on working with a restaurant franchise consider issues related to the client, choosing a landlord and location, management, architect and general contractor, he franchisor and the franchise agreement, and the lender.
Mengenai Pengarang
Noble Hatfield has been practicing law for over 25 years and is admitted to practice in Indiana. He obtained his JD in 1992 from Indiana University School of Law – Indianapolis (cum laude) and his Master of Science in Industrial Administration (MBA-style) degree from Krannert Graduate School of Business at Purdue University in 1976. As an attorney, he continues to focus on strip center development and leasing and has extensive enclosed mall background. Prior to earning his JD, he worked in the printing field, including owning his own business. Currently, he is co-owner of 3 fast-casual franchised restaurants. He is the coauthor of Commercial Retail Leases and Outlot Purchases, which was published by the American Bar Association in 2014.