Skip to main content

call now

  • About
  • lawyers
  • practices
  • Insights
  • Case Results
  • Locations
contact us

Copyright SJKP LLP Law Firm all rights reserved

AccessibilityCookie StatementDisclaimersLegal NoticePrivacy PolicyTerms & Conditions
BROCHURE DOWNLOAD

U.S.

New York
Washington, D.C.

Asia

Seoul
Busan
BROCHURE DOWNLOAD

© 2025 SJKP, LLP
All rights reserved. Attorney Advertising.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

BROCHURE DOWNLOAD
Book a Consultation
Online
Phone
CLICK TO START YOUR CONSULTATION
Online
Phone

  1. Home
  2. Franchise Litigation | Recovering Initial Franchise Fees Through Strategic Legal Action

Case Results

Based on our recently accumulated litigation database, we provide customized solutions based on a thoroughly analyzed litigation database.

Franchise Litigation | Recovering Initial Franchise Fees Through Strategic Legal Action

Author : Donghoo Sohn, Esq.



A prospective restaurant operator in New York sought our firm’s assistance after discovering that the franchisor had failed to comply with mandatory federal and state franchise disclosure requirements.

The client had paid a substantial initial fee, received limited and incomplete training, and opened the business without receiving the operational knowledge promised by the franchisor. 

As the dispute escalated, the client turned to our Franchise Litigation team for guidance, ultimately securing full recovery of the franchise fee.

In New York, compliance with both the Franchise Sales Act and the Federal Trade Commission’s Franchise Rule is critical when offering or selling a franchise. 

Violations of these disclosure laws frequently become the foundation for rescission claims and fee-recovery disputes.

Our Franchise Litigation team evaluated the client’s contracts, training records, and communication logs and identified multiple statutory violations, enabling a forceful claim for rescission.

contents


1. Franchise Litigation in New York – Client Background and Unfair Franchise Inducement


Our Franchise Litigation team first reviewed the client’s relationship with the franchisor and the circumstances that led to the initial fee payment. 

In New York, franchise sellers must provide accurate disclosures before accepting funds or signing agreements. This legal context shaped our early analysis.



Client’s Entry Into the Franchise System


The client entered the restaurant franchise after being assured of proprietary recipes, proven operational systems, and detailed management guidance.

Despite paying the initial franchise fee, the client received only minimal introductory training and no meaningful instruction regarding the brand’s core methods.

Because the franchisor withheld essential training, our Franchise Litigation analysis suggested misrepresentation and non-compliance with disclosure laws.



Failure to Provide Mandatory Franchise Disclosures


Under the New York Franchise Sales Act (NY Gen. Bus. Law §§ 680–695) and the FTC Franchise Rule, franchisors must provide a compliant Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) at least 14 days before accepting money or signing an agreement.

Here, the franchisor provided no disclosures at all.

This failure strengthened the client’s Franchise Litigation position, as nondisclosure permits rescission and refund of all payments under New York law.



2. Franchise Litigation in New York – Key Legal Framework Under NYFSA and Federal Law


To establish the client’s right to recover the franchise fee, our firm relied on core statutory requirements applicable to Franchise Litigation actions in New York.



Disclosure Obligations Under New York Law


New York requires franchisors to:

• Register the franchise with the NY Attorney General
• Provide a compliant FDD
• Disclose nearby franchise locations
• Deliver accurate financial and operational information

The franchisor here violated all four obligations. 

Such violations directly support rescission in Franchise Litigation and allow franchisees to pursue full fee reimbursement.



Misrepresentation and Material Omissions


The franchisor exaggerated claims about exclusive recipes, proprietary systems, and unique training methods.

When these statements proved false, they became actionable misrepresentations under state and federal law.

These findings reinforced the Franchise Litigation claims and established grounds for a full refund.



3. Franchise Litigation in New York – Litigation Strategy and Evidence Development


Franchise Litigation in New York – Litigation Strategy and Evidence Development

 

After confirming multiple statutory violations, our team built a structured evidentiary record focusing on the franchisor’s misleading conduct and the absence of required disclosures.



Evidence of Disclosure Violations


Our attorneys gathered and analyzed:

• Franchise agreement
• Payment receipts
• Email correspondence
• Training logs
• Website marketing statements

These documents showed the franchisor accepted money before providing an FDD, failed to register the offering, and failed to disclose nearby locations. 

All of this strengthened the Franchise Litigation claim.



Evidence of Misrepresentation and Lack of Support


The franchisor promised specialized training and operational systems but delivered none.

This stark discrepancy demonstrated material misrepresentation, an independent basis for rescission under New York’s Franchise Sales Act.



4. Franchise Litigation in New York – Outcome: Full Recovery of the Franchise Fee


After presenting detailed legal arguments supported by statutory authority, the court accepted our position and awarded the client the full initial franchise fee.

This outcome shows how powerful Franchise Litigation remedies can be when franchisors disregard disclosure laws.



Importance of Legal Representation in Franchise Disputes


This case underscores that successful Franchise Litigation requires deep understanding of disclosure regulations, contractual duties, and misrepresentation doctrines.

With proper legal strategy, franchisees can obtain rescission, compensation, and protection from unfair practices.

SJKP assists franchisees and franchisors in disputes involving disclosure failures, rescission, misrepresentation, and contract breaches.

Our Franchise Litigation team conducts detailed document reviews, builds evidentiary strategies, and represents clients in negotiations and litigation.

If you face a franchise dispute, contact SJKP for comprehensive support.


Related lawyers

Donghoo Sohn attorney profile photo

Donghoo Sohn

Associate

New york

Corporate

Will & Trust

Immigration

Real Estate

Related practices


Franchise Laws

27 Nov, 2025


Older Posts

view list

Newer Posts

The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading or relying on the contents of this article does not create an attorney-client relationship with our firm. For advice regarding your specific situation, please consult a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.
Certain informational content on this website may utilize technology-assisted drafting tools and is subject to attorney review.

Related lawyers

Donghoo Sohn attorney profile photo

Donghoo Sohn

Associate

New york

Corporate

Will & Trust

Immigration

Real Estate

Related practices


Franchise Laws

contents

  • Overseas Contracts Advisory for Startup Equity Acquisition Support

  • Corporate Acquisition Advisory in Washington D.C. Post Merger Integration Strategy for a Mid Sized Manufacturing Company

  • Unfair Trade Practice in Washington D.C. Involving Digital Content Copying

  • Corporate Law Specialist in Washington D.C. Cross Border Acquisition Finance