Franchise and Business Law

Kaplan Law Group, LLC provides services for both existing and prospective Franchisees and Franchisors, General Business (Retail, Restaurant, Service), Manufacturers, Distributors, and International Franchisors.

Kenneth Kaplan is a seasoned attorney who has both legal and general business experience, from the perspective of an in-house General Counsel and as a private practitioner. He is an expert in franchising having collaborated with both franchisees and franchisors to structure and grow their brand. Ken brings over 35 years of franchising experience for restaurants, the beauty industry, retail and service businesses. Ken works closely with clients to solve problems and get results for ongoing companies, start-ups and turnaround businesses. He identifies opportunities and mitigates risk for both domestic and International firms.

Kaplan Law Group, LLC

404.732.6726  .  ken.kaplan@kaplanlawgrp.com

Atlanta  .  New York  .  Washington, DC

Services

• Franchise Registration and Disclosure Documents (FDD)
• Franchise Agreement Review
• Lease and Document Review
• General Corporate and Business Law
• Virtual General Counsel
• Risk Mitigation and Dispute Resolution
• Corporate Finance and Loan Review
• Merger and Acquisition
• Due Diligence
• Intellectual Property
• International Franchise Law
• Franchise Relationship Management

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Franchising

Attention to detail is essential to the success of a franchise, for the franchisor and the franchisee. They need someone who knows the ins-and-outs of both the legal and business aspects of growing a strong franchise business. KLG can manage all of the legal requirements as well as match clients with experts in all fields of the business development.

Together with KLG a company new to franchising can get help to evaluating a concept to see if it will be a successful franchise, or not. From the beginning they will help with all of the legal documents necessary to structure a successful company. And long term KLG can work as a virtual General Counsel assuring smooth transitions as a business grows.

For businesses already franchising, KLG is available for FDD's, Franchise Agreement Review, Franchise Relationship Management, International Franchise Law and Intellectual Property issues as well as issues around mergers and acquisitions.

KLG knows both sides of franchising, as a Franchisor and as a Franchisee.  If you are thinking about buying a franchise, KLG will help to plan, negotiate and grow your investment.

Virtual General Counsel

When a company needs consistent legal counsel, someone knowledgeable of all aspects of their business, but does not need a staff attorney, one option is a Virtual General Counsel. In this situation KLG would always be available to you for services and advise but not apart of your full time team. This saves money but gives the security of quick response when needed.

About

DESSANGE GROUP NORTH AMERICA, INC. Beverly, Massachusetts.  General Counsel, Secretary and Director. Managed all transactional, M&A, regulatory and dispute resolution matters for Corporation and its 3 hair and beauty spa brands. Negotiated $15 Million debt re-structuring and corporate reorganization. Managed continued acquisition of Master Franchisees and to complete "roll-up" of three-tier franchise system. Successfully rolled out U.S. franchise program for 2 Upscale and Luxury European hair and beauty concepts. 

FANTASTIC SAMS INTERNATIONAL, INC. Beverly, Massachusetts. General Counsel and Secretary. Managed in-house legal department, directed all transactional and dispute resolution matters and served on executive team to implement post-bankruptcy turn-around strategy. Completed debt re-financing and acquisition of 18 Master Franchisees resulting in increase in direct system control from 30% to over 50%. Successfully completed sale of Company to European Private Equity group. 

AFC ENTERPRISES, INC. Atlanta, Georgia. Vice President, Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary. Served as a member of the Executive Team of this 4,000+ unit, multi concept, international restaurant franchisor. Directed and managed 17 person in-house legal department. Managed $5 million-plus annual department budget. Represented company before federal and state regulatory agencies, industry forums and professional organizations. worldwide transactional, intellectual property and dispute resolution activities. Supervised six successful acquisitions exceeding $150 million, three system conversions and $350 million debt refinancing; Successfully completed 2001 Initial Public Offering. 

RESTAURANT SYSTEMS, INC. Staten Island, New York. Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Director. Directed all legal, transactional, corporate finance, and M&A matters for industry leading Franchisor of frozen yogurt/healthful quick service restaurants. Initiated and developed their Franchise program.