Franchise Acquisition Lawyer

By Managing Partner Last updated

Franchise Acquisition Law representation for buyers, sellers, and operators nationwide. One experienced attorney on every deal.

Alex Lubyansky leads every franchise acquisition law engagement, from initial structuring through closing.

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Direct Answer

A franchise acquisition lawyer represents buyers purchasing a franchise, whether a new unit from the franchisor or an existing location from a current owner. The work includes Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) review, franchise agreement negotiation, franchisor consent and transfer approval, and SBA loan documentation when the purchase is financed. Acquisition Stars represents first-time and multi-unit franchise buyers nationwide.

Why a Franchise Acquisition Lawyer Matters

A franchise purchase is not a standard business acquisition. The franchisor's consent, the FDD's restrictions on transfer and territory, and the franchise agreement's non-compete and renewal terms all sit on top of the ordinary purchase agreement issues. Buyers who focus only on price and skip a careful FDD and franchise agreement review can end up bound by territory or transfer restrictions they did not fully understand at signing. A franchise acquisition lawyer who reviews both the franchise-specific documents and the purchase agreement together can help the buyer see the full picture before committing.

What We Do

  • Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) review and analysis
  • Franchise agreement negotiation with franchisors
  • Franchisor consent and transfer approval coordination
  • Asset purchase agreements for franchise resale transactions
  • SBA loan documentation and lender coordination for franchise purchases
  • Lease assignment and new lease negotiation
  • Non-compete and territory protection analysis
  • Multi-unit and area development agreement review

Who We Serve

  • First-time franchise buyers evaluating a franchise investment
  • Buyers purchasing an existing franchise location from a current owner
  • Multi-unit franchise operators expanding their portfolio
  • SBA-financed buyers who need lender-compliant franchise transaction documents
  • Franchise resale buyers navigating franchisor consent requirements
  • Investors acquiring franchise businesses as passive or semi-passive investments
Alex Lubyansky, Managing Partner at Acquisition Stars
"The hardest part of any franchise acquisition law engagement is not the documents. It is reading the relationship across the table early enough to structure around it. By the time the purchase agreement is on the table, half the meaningful negotiating leverage is already gone."
Alex Lubyansky, Managing Partner On franchise acquisition law structuring

15+ years of M&A and securities transaction experience Senior counsel on every engagement Admitted in Michigan, practicing nationwide

Reviewed by Alex Lubyansky on . Read full bio

Questions to Ask Any M&A Attorney Before Hiring

Use these before you call any firm, including ours.

1. "Who will actually handle my transaction?"

At many firms, a partner sells the work and a junior associate does it. Ask for the name of the attorney who will draft and negotiate your documents.

2. "How many M&A transactions has the lead attorney closed in the past 12 months?"

Volume indicates current, active deal experience, not just credentials from years ago.

3. "What is your experience with my deal size and industry?"

A $500K SBA acquisition and a $50M PE deal require different skill sets. Make sure the attorney has handled transactions similar to yours.

4. "Will you coordinate with my CPA, financial advisor, and broker?"

M&A transactions require a team. Your attorney should work with your other advisors, not in a silo.

5. "How do you handle post-closing disputes?"

Reps, warranties, and indemnification claims surface months after closing. Ask whether the firm handles post-closing litigation or refers it out.

6. "What is your fee structure, and what drives cost?"

Ask how the engagement is scoped, what is included, and what factors drive cost increases. Defined scope with a retainer gives the clearest cost picture.

Franchise Acquisition Lawyer Locations We Serve

Major Markets

Los Angeles
California
Houston
Texas
Seattle
Washington
Dallas
Texas

Additional Markets

Austin
Denver
Atlanta
Portland
Charlotte
Tampa
Orlando
Jacksonville
Indianapolis
Las Vegas
San Antonio
Ann Arbor
Savannah

Service Areas by State

Browse Franchise Acquisition Lawyer service areas by state. Each state page lists all cities and suburbs we serve in that state, plus the state-specific legal framework that affects franchise acquisition law transactions there.

Alabama
12 locations
Arizona
33 locations
Arkansas
1 location
California
63 locations
Colorado
11 locations
Connecticut
13 locations
District of Columbia
1 location
Florida
59 locations
Georgia
13 locations
Idaho
11 locations
Illinois
11 locations
Indiana
12 locations
Iowa
1 location
Kansas
7 locations
Kentucky
12 locations
Louisiana
11 locations
Maryland
16 locations
Massachusetts
11 locations
Michigan
33 locations
Minnesota
11 locations
Mississippi
3 locations
Missouri
15 locations
Nebraska
1 location
Nevada
24 locations
New Jersey
3 locations
New York
7 locations
North Carolina
38 locations
Ohio
45 locations
Oklahoma
12 locations
Oregon
11 locations
Pennsylvania
22 locations
South Carolina
5 locations
Tennessee
31 locations
Texas
53 locations
Utah
23 locations
Virginia
19 locations
Washington
11 locations
Wisconsin
12 locations

Related M&A and Securities Services

Acquisition Stars handles the full range of M&A and securities matters. Alex Lubyansky personally leads every engagement across all practice areas.

Securities Lawyer M&A Attorney SPAC Attorney Going Public Attorney Reverse Merger Attorney Business Acquisition Lawyer LOI Attorney Due Diligence Attorney Business Exit Attorney Purchase Agreement Attorney Sell My Business Lawyer Business Sale Attorney Healthcare Acquisition Attorney Dental Practice Attorney Medical Practice Attorney Veterinary Practice Attorney Accounting Firm Acquisition Attorney SBA Acquisition Attorney Behavioral Health Acquisition Attorney Home Services Acquisition Attorney

Franchise Acquisition Lawyer: Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I need a lawyer to buy a franchise?

Franchise transactions involve unique legal documents that general business attorneys rarely encounter. The FDD alone can be 200+ pages of complex obligations, restrictions, and financial data. A franchise acquisition lawyer identifies the risks hidden in those documents and negotiates protections that a standard business attorney would miss.

What should I look for in a Franchise Disclosure Document?

Key areas include Item 3 (litigation history), Item 7 (total investment costs), Item 19 (financial performance representations), Item 17 (renewal and termination provisions), and the franchise agreement itself. We review every section and provide you with a clear summary of what you are agreeing to and where the risks are.

Can I negotiate a franchise agreement?

Many franchisors present their agreement as non-negotiable, but certain terms can often be modified, especially for experienced operators or multi-unit buyers. We know which provisions are commonly negotiable and how to approach the franchisor to secure better terms without jeopardizing the deal.

How does buying an existing franchise differ from buying a new one?

Purchasing an existing franchise involves a business acquisition plus a franchise transfer. You need the franchisor's consent, must meet their buyer qualifications, and often face additional transfer fees and training requirements. The transaction requires both M&A expertise and franchise-specific knowledge.

How long does a franchise acquisition take?

Franchise acquisitions typically take 60 to 90 days from signed LOI to closing, though franchisor consent timelines can extend this. Acquisition Stars moves quickly through document review and negotiation so the franchisor approval process, which is outside your control, becomes the only variable.

What does Acquisition Stars handle for franchise acquisition law matters?

Acquisition Stars represents buyers and sellers across the full deal lifecycle: preliminary structuring, letter of intent, due diligence, definitive agreement negotiation, and closing mechanics. The firm handles franchise disclosure document (fdd) review and analysis, franchise agreement negotiation with franchisors, franchisor consent and transfer approval coordination, among other transaction work. Alex Lubyansky leads every engagement.

Who does Acquisition Stars typically represent in franchise acquisition law engagements?

The firm represents first-time franchise buyers evaluating a franchise investment, buyers purchasing an existing franchise location from a current owner, multi-unit franchise operators expanding their portfolio, along with other parties involved in mid-market and lower-middle-market transactions. Engagements range from single-buyer acquisitions to multi-party recapitalizations.

Does the firm represent clients outside Michigan?

Yes. While the firm office is in Novi, Michigan, Alex Lubyansky represents clients nationwide on M&A and securities transactions. Most engagements involve out-of-state buyers, sellers, or target companies. The firm regularly admits pro hac vice in other states when matters require it.

Who will work on my deal?

Alex Lubyansky leads every engagement at Acquisition Stars. He sets the deal strategy, leads the negotiation, and runs closing, and every document is reviewed by him before it goes to the other side. An associate supports the work, including first drafts and diligence review. You will know who is doing what at each stage of the transaction.

How does the firm price franchise acquisition law engagements?

Pricing varies with deal size, complexity, and timeline, so Acquisition Stars does not publish a fee schedule. After a brief initial conversation about the deal specifics, the firm provides a written engagement scope, typically as a bundled engagement or with a not-to-exceed budget, so clients can plan the matter with confidence.

Ready to Discuss Your Franchise Acquisition Law Engagement?

Alex Lubyansky leads every franchise acquisition law matter.

15+ years of M&A experience. Nationwide practice. LOI through closing.

Request Engagement Assessment

We review every transaction inquiry within one business day.

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