People Buy Franchises for a Lot of Reasons, Including:
Second careers, job dissatisfaction, entrepreneurship, and creating a family business for their spouse or their children.
Do you own or have an interest in a NJ franchise?
At Hanlon Niemann & Wright, we are here to help and guide you in NJ franchise law.
An effective NJ Franchise Law Attorney will think beyond the four corners of the public offering statement and franchise agreement and discuss with you things like market demand, geographical and internet competition, bank and third-party financing, leasing, franchisor fees, royalties, hidden charges, covenants not to compete, and e-commerce issues.
If you’re being mistreated by your franchisor or their demands/policies are unlawful, we will hold them accountable to the agreement you signed as an inducement to become a franchisee.
We’ll work to protect your legal rights and offer practical advice and solutions in the real-world world of NJ franchises. If your franchisor is seeking to terminate you as a franchisee, we will advocate on your behalf, defend you in court, or seek a satisfactory resolution of the disagreement.
Watch my video on NJ Business Franchise Law Representation.
I consulted with Mr. Niemann following a recommendation from an associate in Brick, New Jersey. I was told that Mr. Niemann would be an excellent person to discuss an investment opportunity, which was represented to me as very profitable. Mr. Niemann met with me promptly and reviewed the information provided by the promoter. After having considered the promotional information, Mr. Niemann cautioned me against the investment. He requested that a four-way conference be set up so he could meet face-to-face with the promoter of this opportunity. After several hours of intense questioning and discussion, Mr. Niemann concluded the meeting courteously and professionally. He immediately told me not to invest a single penny in this scam, as I would lose my investment. At the time, I was looking to invest several hundred thousand dollars. Thank God I listened to Mr. Niemann. Since our meeting, I have learned that the deal was, in fact, a scam and that I would have lost my entire investment. The straight-talking, highly investigative nature of Mr. Niemann’s questioning and insight, coupled with his significant past business experience, was invaluable to me.– Scott Buongiovanni Freehold, New Jersey
TESTIMONIAL
Fred has been my attorney since I started my business in 2003. He is always invaluable and has handled several business and personal matters for me. I highly recommend Fred.
– Wayne Sos
When Does the NJ Franchise Act Apply to Me and/or My Company?
New Jersey adopted the Franchise Practices Act (FPA) in 1971. The law was enacted to prevent franchisors with superior bargaining power from exploiting franchisees in New Jersey.
The Act applies to franchises when (1) the performance of the franchise requires that the franchisee establish or maintain a place of business in New Jersey; (2) gross sales of product or services between the franchisor and franchisee exceeds $35,000 during 12 months; (3) and more than twenty percent (20%) of the franchisee’s gross sales are from the operation of a franchise.
The law also regulates the Termination of a Franchise Agreement in New Jersey by the franchisor, who is often in a dominant position over his/her franchisee(s).
Selling, Assigning, or Transferring Ownership of an Existing Franchise in NJ
Before transferring, assigning, or selling a franchise or interest in a franchise, the franchisee must notify the franchisor in writing. In most instances, the notice must include (1) the transferee’s name, address, financial qualification, and (2) business experience during the previous five (5) years.
Failure to notify the franchisor before a transfer, assignment, or sale permits a franchisor to allege a breach of the franchise agreement and to terminate the franchise.
After notice is given, the franchisor has sixty (60) days to send a written response to the franchisee either approving the transfer or setting forth the reasons for denying the transfer. If the franchisor does not respond to the notice within sixty (60) days, the law deems the transfer approved by the franchisor.
In NJ, the law requires a commercially reasonable good-faith standard of conduct between a franchisor and a franchisee. A franchisor must act in good faith when making franchise decisions that affect you, or when refusing to approve a franchise sale and transfer of franchise rights. Let us help you in the sale or purchase of your franchised business.
When is a Franchise Termination Permissible in NJ?
Legal Requirements of Notice of Termination of a Franchise
Because of the considerable investment costs associated with a franchise and the franchisee’s superior economic power and position, NJ has adopted limited protections for franchise owners. A franchisor may not terminate, cancel, or fail to renew a franchise without first giving written notice setting forth all the reasons for such termination, cancellation, or intent not to renew the franchise at least 60 days in advance of such termination, cancellation, or intent not to renew. The law imposes a good faith and “commercially reasonable standard” to any purported franchise termination consistent with the underlying terms of the franchise agreement.
CRITERIA FOR PERMISSIBLE TERMINATION OF A FRANCHISE UNDER NEW JERSEY LAW
A franchisor can terminate a franchise only when:
- The franchisee has voluntarily abandoned the franchise. In such a
case, 15 days’ notice is necessary. - The franchisee is convicted of an indictable offense that is directly
related to the franchise business. The termination is effective
immediately, or - There is “good cause’ for the termination.
“Good cause” is defined as the failure of the franchisee to substantially comply with the contractual requirements imposed upon him or her under the franchise document. “Good cause” exists if the franchisee breaches an expressed or implied material term or obligation of the franchise agreement. “Good cause” does not exist when the franchise documents are unreasonable. The Act prohibits the franchisor from imposing “unreasonable standards for the performance of the franchise upon a franchisee.”
Attorneys’ Fees and Court Costs
A franchisee may recover attorney’s fees and reasonable litigation costs for all successful claims against a franchisor. Unsuccessful claims do not result in an entitlement to attorney’s fees. Because of the unfair leverage franchisors have over their franchisees, state law allows a court to award counsel fees and costs to the franchisee if a successful claim is made and proven. Many potential causes of action can be successfully alleged under long-standing NJ case law and principles of law outside the state’s franchise statutes, such as contract law, corporation law, the law of commercial business relationships, and more.
Fredrick P. Niemann Esq.
Do you have a question(s) not addressed here? If so, contact Fredrick P. Niemann, Esq. at (732) 863-9900 or email him at fniemann@hnlawfirm.com to schedule a consultation about your particular needs. He welcomes your calls and inquiries, and you’ll find him very approachable and easy to talk to.