Services

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“A successful franchise program can only be achieved through a teamwork of qualified professionals. As an attorney with over 38 years practicing franchise law, I appreciate the opportunity to work with experienced franchise consultants like the Stanwood Group who have the long term interests of their clients and the franchise industry at heart.”

David L. Steinberg, Franchise Attorney David L. Steinberg, P.C. Southfield, MI

“The Stanwood Group along with Robert Katz have invested a tremendous amount of time and energy in building a top notch team of franchise professionals as part of their ongoing effort to make franchising affordable and accessible to the founders of great businesses that might not otherwise be in a position to franchise.” read more

Dan Warshawsky, Franchise Attorney Warshawsky Seltzer, PLLC Scottsdale, AZ

"We had the most wonderful experience working with Mr. Katz from the Stanwood Group who personally assisted us and one of our clients in South Florida last year. Mr. Katz is the definition of professionalism and excellence in the field of Franchise Development. We look forward to continuing to work with him and the Stanwood Group in future engagements with our international portfolio of clients looking to franchise in the United States."

Nina R., Executive Assistant Gagel Law Firm Washington, D.C.

"Having been practicing franchise law for over 30 years and working with some of the nation’s leading franchise development companies, Stanwood stands out as a leader in the franchise community supporting small businesses."

Sam Morrison, Franchise Attorney Morrison Law Offices, P.C. Atlanta, Georgia

"I highly recommend the Stanwood Group for businesses wishing to explore franchising. I am continually impressed with their attention to detail, responsiveness, and willingness to go the extra mile. I always enjoy working with Stanwood Group clients because I know they have been given thoughtful, experienced guidance. When the Stanwood Group refers a new franchise to me for legal representation, I know they are going to be organized, prepared, and have all the tools for success!"

Hannah Joseph, Franchise Attorney Katz Korin Cunningham Indianapolis, IN

"When experience makes all the difference, there is one name that comes to mind when I think of Franchise Consulting and Sales Services. My office has been fortunate to work with many of Stanwood's clients. I'd recommend Stanwood's services to businesses looking to franchise that won’t break the bank! I can speak firsthand when I say, “business owners derive tremendous value from Stanwood's services as they are represented with the highest level of professionalism and integrity."

Sarah Holmes, Esquire Holmes Business Law, P.C. Ardmore, PA

"Franchise Gator is proud to be partnering with The Stanwood Group in providing outstanding digital advertising opportunities to Stanwood's exciting North American network of coast to coast franchisors!"

Eric Bell, General Manager FranchiseGator.com Roswell, GA

"As a former Franchise Regulator for Washington State and practicing Franchise Attorney, I appreciate the superior level of preparedness that the Stanwood Group provides to its start-up franchisors to set them up for success. Because of that, I am proud to also serve as one of their Board of Advisor Members."

Dan Matthews, Franchise Attorney Warshawsky Seltzer, Scottsdale, AZ

"Elman Technology Law is honored to have been selected as a preferred provider of intellectual property services for clients of The Stanwood Group."

Gerry J. Elman, J.D. Elman Technology Law, P.C. Swarthmore, PA

"As a Stanwood Group Advisor Member and Preferred Supplier Vendor, I have enjoyed working with many Stanwood Group Franchisors in assisting them in growing their brands."

Joseph E. Maenner, Esq. Maenner & Associates, LLC Downingtown, PA

“As an attorney that represents Franchisees in the complex process of purchasing their new franchises, I have had the pleasure of working with Mr. Katz on numerous transactions and found him to be pleasant, professional and fair while at the same time doing an exemplary job of representing the Stanwood Group's clients’ best interests.”

Kerry R. Morgan, Esq. Collins & Jones, P.C. Raymore, MO

"I always have a great experience working with the Stanwood Group and their Franchisors!”

Tera Thomas, Senior Funding Consultant FranFund Fort Worth, TX

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Thinking of Franchising Your Business?

Are you considering franchising your business as a means to expand? Businesses seeking experienced franchise developers to assist them with the start up aspects of the franchise development process are often discouraged to discover that many franchise consulting and development companies charge in excess of $50,000 to $100,000 along with ongoing monthly maintenance fees to assist in franchising a business, and this doesn’t even include the cost of preparing the Franchise Company’s FTC required Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and Franchise Agreement (FA) by an experienced Franchise Attorney.

As a result, this greatly inflates the cost of launching your new franchise business. We know franchising your business is a big decision. From the very beginning, we have set out to disrupt the franchise process through reimagining the way franchise development services are provided.

We are committed to the expansion of the franchise community through the inclusion and empowerment of small businesses with the ability to access franchising affordably utilizing our nationally recognized network of franchise professionals throughout the United States.

The first step is determining whether or not franchising your existing business is the right move by determining if your current business is “Franchisable”. The Stanwood Group assists start-up franchisors answer this question, and then creates a strategy for expansion having years of experience and also providing you with affordable access to our Team Members made up of nationally recognized franchise professionals throughout the United States. We focus on providing the services you need now to launch your new franchise program.

The Stanwood Franchise Start Up Program is designed for businesses possessing those variables needed in order to become emerging franchisors. For businesses that qualify, the Stanwood Franchise Start Up Program enables clients to defer a large portion of the development fee until initial franchise sales commence, which substantially reduces the amount of initial capital required to launch the new franchise business.

For established franchisors, The Stanwood Group assists in expanding your current franchise system fueled by placement of new franchise sales using our franchise sales & marketing system along with our preferred partnerships to national Franchise Sales Referral Groups including FranServe and Buisness Alliance, Inc. (BAI). If you are interested in learning more about The Stanwood Group, or any of our Team Members’ respective services, make sure to schedule an appointment.

To learn more about Franchising Your Business Today, make sure to schedule an appointment.

Ready to Franchise your Business?

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Find out if your business is “Franchisable”

We will help you determine if your business is a good fit for franchising and if so, what type of strategy is needed to ensure successful growth. We’ll look at established criteria to help you answer these questions and develop a plan to franchise your business. Take The Test Now

Develop The Right Strategy to Franchise Your Business

When creating a road map to franchise your business, the number one mistake new franchisors make is failing to create the right plan and the right strategy. Franchising is a lucrative but complex endeavor. Considerations range from legal, financial and geography to marketing, advertising and organizational structure. A single mistake, even small ones, can cost you millions of dollars and set you up to fail. The best approach for any business owner looking to franchise their business is to work with an experienced team that will create a comprehensive plan to franchise your business providing the best chance of success. To learn more about our process and how we can help you franchise your business, Contact Us Today

Preparation of the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD)

The Federal Trade Commission, or FTC is the governing body that regulates franchisors in the name of protecting consumers. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires 23 “items” to be disclosed in the Franchise Disclosure Document concerning the franchise company and provisions contained in the Franchise Agreement. The FTC requires that franchisors provide factual information about their businesses to franchise candidates before they sign any contracts or pay any sum of money. The FDD lets the candidate know what to expect as a franchisee and summarizes the legal terms of the franchise agreement. The FTC Rule on Franchising states that Franchisors are required that the FDD (Franchise Disclosure Document) be presented to the prospective franchisee at least fourteen days prior to the signing of the franchise agreement or any related agreements to the franchise.

The FDD, and other Franchise Documents are prepared by outside counsel of your choice in conformance with the FTC Franchise Rule. Learn more about the FTC Franchise Rule.

View Franchise Disclosure Documents in your industry using a free search, click Here.

The Stanwood Group maintains a relationship with many of the leading franchise attorneys practicing today in the United States. We will introduce you to franchise attorney(s) that best fit your needs and budget. We will consult you and your attorney in the preparation of the franchise documents by establishing the business terms of the franchise program. As a franchisor, you are required by law to create and maintain this document for distribution to all prospective franchise candidates.

Find a Franchise Attorney to assist you with the preparation of the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD).

Franchise Registration States, Filing States & Non-Registration States

Franchise Registration States: A franchise registration state is a state that requires franchisors to register their FDD prior to offering or selling a franchise within that state. Franchisors must renew and update their FDD state registrations no less frequently than annually. For franchisors that maintain federally registered trademarks, the franchise registration states include: California, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. Additionally, franchisors who do not maintain a federally registered trademark are also required to register their FDD / franchise offering with the following additional states: Connecticut, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Maine.

Filing States: Filing states are states that do not require the registration of a franchisor’s FDD but do require a filing or a notice with the state. For franchisors that maintain a federally registered trademark, the filing states include: Connecticut (one time filing), Florida (annual filing), Kentucky(one time filing), Nebraska (one time filing), North Carolina (one-time filing), South Carolina (one time filing), South Dakota (annual filing), Texas (one time filing), and Utah (annual filing). Additionally, franchisors who do not maintain a federally registered trademark are also required to file a notice (consent to service of process) in the states of Georgia (one time filing) and Louisiana (one time filing). The filings within these states vary and the frequency of the filings also vary with some filing states requiring a one-time filing and others requiring annual filings.

Non-Registration States (FTC States): Non-registration states are states that, unlike registration states or filing states, do not require a franchisor to register the franchisor’s FDD or submit a filing or notice with a local state regulator. For franchisors that maintain a federally registered trademark the non-registration states include: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

What’s an Accidental Franchise, and Could I Be One?

Before considering alternate vehicles such as licensing your business to others, rather than franchising, learn what constitutes a franchise and how to avoid falling into the accidental franchise trap. Learn more about the Accidental Franchise presented by Fox Rothchild, LLP National Co-Chair of Franchising and Distribution Group; attention: Eleanor Vaida Gerhards (215) 918-3642.

Create a Regional & National Marketing & Sales Strategy That’s Right For You

The Stanwood Group will assist in creating a local market, regional and national franchise marketing and sales strategy to best suit your goals.

Please visit our Franchise Sales & Marketing Resource Center

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Meet The Team

Robert Katz

Franchise Development

Harold L. Kestenbaum

Franchise Attorney

Hanna Groves

Digital Marketing

Chad Bickle

Franchise Development

Kerrin O'Connell

Franchise Attorney

Lory Meyerson

Franchise Development

Mike Drumm

Franchise Attorney

Jonathan H. Stanwood

Franchise Attorney

Joseph E. Maenner

Trademark Attorney

Dan Warshawsky

Franchise Attorney

Dan Matthews

Franchise Attorney

David L. Steinberg

Franchise Attorney

Ready to Franchise your Business?

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“The Stanwood Group does a truly exceptional job of supporting its franchisors. Being new to the franchise industry, they provided me with the tools, support and mentoring needed for success! They have been a key differentiator in our franchise business allowing us to continue to expand throughout the United States.”

Pat Perkins, Vice President Franchise Sales Civil Axe Throwing Memphis, TN

"The Stanwood Group has given me tremendous guidance with promoting and growing my emerging brand. Robert Katz has been an amazing resource to me, as a new franchisor. He is honest, knowledgeable and very patient as he spends a lot of his time sharing his expertise in the complicated franchising business. I'm very grateful for his assistance."

Lisa Dowd, Founder Cheesy Street Grill Natick, MA

"Bear Paddle Swim School is very excited to be partnering with the Stanwood Group to locate and identify the future leaders of our Franchise Opportunity. The direction and focus from the Stanwood Group really aligns with the Bear Paddle mission to find passionate, driven individuals that are looking to enrich their community and business life."

Robin Everson, Founder & Owner Bear Paddle Swim School Aurora, IL

"Although it has always been a dream, taking the leap into franchising can be a daunting and overwhelming experience. Robert Katz and the Stanwood Group brought a calming hand and network of professionals that handled each step of the way allowing me to dream big, but rest easy."

Mike Guerriero, CEO Guerriero’s Gelato Montclair, New Jersey

“Never would I have imagined having launched our BLUSH Boot Camp Franchise program just 9 months ago back in September 2020 during the height of a national pandemic that we would experience such a level of success having sold so many franchises and staying committed to our mission of empowering women through fitness.”

Maxwell Gellert, Owner BLUSH Boot Camp Franchising Systems, LLC Lee’s Summit, MO

"My experience with the team at the Stanwood Group has been exceptional. Their support, direction and expertise has allowed us to launch the perfect franchise offering to the marketplace and we are excited as we continue to open more locations with the Stanwood Group."

Jared Welch, President Civil Axe Throwing Memphis, TN

"I was totally new to franchising, and needing a lot of assistance in “learning the ropes”. Stanwood Group’s Robert Katz along with my franchise attorney Harold Kestenbaum of Spadea Lignana, were and still are absolutely wonderful and instrumental in helping me to successfully launch my new franchise. Their combined support is unparalleled. I highly recommend Robert and Harold to anyone looking to franchise their business!"

Lauren Jannelli, CEO Beauty Lab Franchising, LLC Whitehouse Station, NJ

“My experience with the team at the Stanwood Group has been exceptional. Their support, direction and expertise has allowed us to launch the perfect franchise offering to the marketplace and we are excited as we continue to open more locations with the Stanwood Group.”

Jared Welch, President
Civil Axe Throwing
Memphis, TN

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