Breton H. Permesly

Practice Areas

Franchise & Distribution

Corporate

Mergers & Acquisitions

Regulatory & Compliance

Retail

Food, Beverage & Agribusiness

Restaurant Industry

Career

Bret concentrates his practice on domestic and international franchising, licensing, and distribution matters. Bret represents some of the largest brands in the world as well as cutting edge start-up concepts in a wide range of industries, including food and beverage, hospitality, sports and fitness, retail, wellness and leisure. His experience includes advising clients on options for domestic and international expansion using a variety of structures; preparing and negotiating complex franchise and commercial agreements; organizing and structuring joint venture, franchise and distribution systems; establishing and administering national and international franchise growth and compliance programs; and, counseling clients on a wide variety of industry related topics. His experience also includes structuring, drafting, and negotiating domestic and international manufacturing, distribution, consignment, and supply agreements in the retail and food and beverage space.

Bret also acts as a trusted advisor to private equity concerns and investors buying and selling franchise and distribution systems and investors seeking due diligence and related franchise and distribution expertise in connection with mergers and acquisitions and other transactions involving franchising, licensing and distribution components.

Bret is the Chair of the New York State Bar’s Franchise, Distribution and Licensing Committee.

Professional Memberships

-International Franchise Association Legal Symposium; Task Force Member, 2012, 2013 and 2017-2019.

-Member, American Bar Association, Forum on Franchising.

-Member, International Franchise Association.

-Member, New York State Bar Association; Chair, Franchise Licensing & Distribution Law Committee, 2019-Present.

Publications

Listed, Chambers USA Guide, 2021-2022.

Personal

J.D., cum laude, Florida State University College of Law, 2005.

B.A., cum laude, Washington and Lee University, 2002.