Department profile
Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath, LLP

Franchising

USA Guide 2026 : USA - Nationwide

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Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath, LLP

Rankings

About

Provided by Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath, LLP

With a passion for franchising, nearly 200 years of collective experience and a collaborative approach, we partner with market-leading franchisors as you launch, grow, protect and evolve successful systems. Our objective is to help you identify opportunities and overcome challenges at every stage. From the outset, we support franchisors by drafting disclosure documents and managing related state filings, as well as providing strategic advice for emerging franchisors. When you are widening your reach, we advise on transactions, strategic growth opportunities and international expansion. And as you operate, we protect you with counsel on disputes/litigation with franchisees, data privacy protection, technology and cybersecurity issues, the supply chain, advertising, system encroachment concerns, and brand protection.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Franchising - USA - Nationwide

Band 2

What the Team is Known For

Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath has a domestic and international franchising practice providing the full range of transactional and litigation services to a wide variety of clients from the hospitality, restaurant and food service and retail industries. It also offers expertise to franchisors in the healthcare space, as well as assisting startup and emerging franchisors to launch, grow and establish their businesses. The firm has a deep bench of partners with expertise in non-US jurisdictions including in South America, Asia and the Middle East.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath acted as the lead counsel to Alimentation Couche-Tard in its $1.6 billion acquisition of the GetGo convenience store franchise.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The team demonstrates a rare combination of deep franchise specific legal expertise and practical business judgment.

    Franchising respondentUSA

  • Its lawyers are very smart, responsive and deliver good results.

    Franchising respondentUSA

  • The team is very thorough in its approach, explaining the risks and benefits to you in order to make a good business decision.

    Franchising respondentUSA

  • I have every confidence in Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath's ability to handle nuanced and complex issues.

    Franchising respondentUSA

  • The team understands the value of franchisees, franchisee profitability and franchisee success in a system.

    Franchising respondentUSA

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Brian B Schnell
    Brian B Schnell

    Brian B Schnell

    Brian Schnell is best known for working with domestic and international companies on structuring their franchising programs. His expertise covers matters such as international expansions and M&A.

    • He has incredible vision, high level strategic thinking and outside the box ideas for working business solutions.

      Franchising respondentUSA

    • Brian knows our business very well and is an expert in franchising practice.

      Franchising respondentUSA

    • He provides personal guidance and has the relevant business and legal experience.

      Franchising respondentUSA
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  • Heather Carson Perkins
    Heather Carson Perkins

    Heather Carson Perkins

    Heather Carson Perkins is a litigator with deep experience in advising franchises on a wide range of issues. She is particularly noted for her work in this space regarding distribution agreements and is regularly engaged by retail and fitness franchisors for representation.

    • She is solution-focused and very creative in solving our issues.

      Franchising respondentUSA

    • Heather has a wide range of experience and a very detailed understanding of franchising and franchisee success law.

      Franchising respondentUSA
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Ranked Individuals at Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath, LLP (2)

USA - Nationwide

Members

Provided by Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath, LLP

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