Commercial Lease Problems for Franchisees
When opening a franchise, signing the franchise agreement is just the beginning. Franchisees generally must purchase or lease commercial property where they will run the business. Commercial leases may be filled with risks: Who will take care of compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act? Who will pay for installation of a sprinkler system, if required? Will the landlord provide money to the tenant to help build out the space and if so, how will payments to the tenant be made? Also, franchisors often require that certain clauses favoring them be inserted into the lease. We can help you understand all of these issues and navigate both the big hurdles and the fine print!
With years of experience representing franchisees in lease agreements, Garner, Ginsburg & Johnsen will work closely with you to:
- Make sure you understand all of the provisions of the lease;
- Ensure that the leased premises are suitable for the franchise;
- Obtain the best deal from the landlord for building out the space;
- Work with the landlord and franchisor to accommodate the franchisor’s demands;
- Sort out who is responsible for compliance with federal, state and local laws;
- Maximize your options to sublet, assign or end the lease if the location or the franchised business doesn’t work out.
If you’re already a franchisee and have problems with your landlord — unexpected new charges, a competitor setting up next door, lack of promised services — we can help with that, too!
Don’t wait! Contact us now for a free consultation!