Franchise & Distributor Litigation

Archer has extensive experience litigating franchise and distribution disputes, including terminations and non-renewals. Our team has nationwide experience dealing with the disparate state laws that govern the relationships between franchisors/franchisees and manufacturers/distributors/retailers.

For franchisees and retailers, we work with our clients to protect their rights under those laws, including seeking injunctive relief to halt unlawful terminations or non-renewals. We also work with both individual franchises and franchisee associations to address unreasonable demands for facility upgrades, agreement modifications, and other changes.

For franchisors and manufacturers, we understand the value of brand protection and the importance of having distributors, retailers and franchisees who respect and follow established guidelines and practices. When the need arises to protect your rights, we rely on our experience to help you steer clear of legal obstacles so you can properly protect your interests.

We understand that these issues are central to both sides of a transaction, and we treat it that way. Where it makes sense, we use our experience to negotiate a resolution that avoids the cost and uncertainty of litigation. But when the situation requires litigation, we know how to professionally present the case in a way that crystalizes the issues for the Court. This often involves the need to move quickly and seek immediate injunctive relief from a Court, which we have done on many occasions.

Our service areas for franchise and distribution clients include:

• Consultation
• Pre-Termination negotiation
• Litigation, including emergent injunctive relief applications
• Arbitration
• Mediation
• Settlement
• Contract renewal and negotiation
• Protection of information technology and intellectual property