Strasburger Franchise Newsletter

The Hottest Menu Item in the Country – Calorie Counts!

Tue, 19 Apr 2011 16:00:00 CST

by Earsa Jackson
In March 2010, Congress passed legislation requiring restaurants to disclose calorie counts and other nutritional information on their menus. This new law was part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010. The law applies to retail food chains with 20 or more locations. The Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") was given the responsibility of implementing regulations for the new law, and the FDA just released proposed regulations for pubic comment...

Finding Financing in This Economy

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 09:00:00 CST

by Lauren T. Becker
The threshold issue franchisees face in entering the franchise market, and often the first question being asked of our franchise legal panels this summer, is “How can I get financing?” The franchise industry has been directly affected by the “perfect storm” that began two years ago (the mortgage crisis, sky-rocketing fuel prices, stock market and job losses) and is still raging. As a result of these crises, commodity costs have risen, consumer spending has dropped, and significantly, business lending has been sharply curtailed – and start-up loan facilities have become all but extinct....

IFA Comes to Texas to Celebrate 50 Years of Service

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 09:00:00 CST

by Earsa Jackson
The International Franchise Association held its 50th Annual Convention in San Antonio, Texas on February 5-8, 2010. The agenda was filled with expert advice and commentary on all of the latest issues facing the franchise industry. The convention offered programs specifically tailored for new and emerging franchisors, established franchisors and large mature franchisors. The IFA kicked off the program with 4 summits.....

OMG: I have licensed my Trademark and Now I am a Franchisor!

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 09:00:00 CST

by John A. Tang
A company’s trademark or brand name is often a valuable asset. A company may capitalize and exploit its trademark by licensing the use of the mark to third parties. There may be up-front costs to the licensor, but the royalty stream may be substantial and continuous since the life of a trademark can be forever. However, when licensing its trademark, a company may have unknowingly created a franchise. The is known in the industry as an accidental franchise......

The Red Flags Rule

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 09:00:00 CST

by Lauren T. Becker
“Business throws credit card receipts, unshredded, into dumpster.” — “Computer system is hacked into; credit information stolen.” — These headlines are part of a recurring theme on the evening news – data breaches. The federal government has taken notice and is now instituting regulations requiring businesses, including certain franchise systems, to take measures to protect private and confidential information.....