Who should you call first when you're thinking about franchising your business?
If you’re exploring how to franchise your business, you’ve probably seen offers from franchise consultants promising to “handle everything.” But here’s the truth: franchising is a legal process first, and most business owners don’t need a consultant at all—at least not to get started. To understand exactly who’s qualified to help you franchise—and what steps are legally required—see Who Can Help Me Franchise My Business?.
While consultants can assist with certain operational or marketing tasks later in your journey, the foundation of franchising—your Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), franchise agreement, and state registrations—can only be created by a franchise lawyer.
Understanding the difference between these two roles will help you protect your brand, save money, and avoid unnecessary steps.
What a Franchise Consultant Actually Does (and Where They Fit)
A franchise consultant is a non-lawyer service provider who helps business owners explore franchising. Some consultants have genuine experience in brand operations or sales, but many simply package generic materials and outsource legal work they’re not qualified to do.
Consultants often offer support with:
- Operations manuals and training systems
- Franchise marketing or CRM setup
- Early sales strategy guidance
However, there are no licensing, certification, or education requirements for becoming a franchise consultant—anyone can use the title. Because of that, it’s critical to confirm their qualifications and ensure that any legal work is handled directly by your law firm.
When you work with an experienced franchise lawyer, your attorney can lead the process strategically—helping you determine whether a consultant is even necessary, and if so, vetting and overseeing their deliverables to ensure everything aligns with your legal structure, FDD, and long-term growth strategy. This approach keeps your costs focused, your compliance intact, and your franchise system built the right way from day one.
What a Franchise Lawyer Does—and Why It Matters
A franchise lawyer is a licensed attorney who specializes in franchise law and is legally qualified to help you build and register your franchise system. Franchise lawyers:
- Prepare your FDD and franchise agreement
- Manage your state registrations and annual renewals
- Guide you through legal structuring and trademark protection
- Develop Item 19 financial disclosures
- Provide ongoing legal counsel and compliance support
Working directly with a franchise law firm ensures your system is compliant, scalable, and ready for growth from day one—without unnecessary consultant fees or middlemen.
At The Internicola Law Firm, we’ve worked with hundreds of emerging and established franchise brands nationwide. Our team understands not only how to legally develop your franchise system but also the growth cycles franchisors experience—the legal challenges that arise as they expand, and the common mistakes to avoid along the way.
Because of our deep experience in the franchise industry, we maintain strong relationships with qualified consultants, marketing firms, and operations professionals. If and when you decide to bring in outside help, we can recommend, vet, and oversee that work to ensure every deliverable aligns with your legal documents, compliance obligations, and long-term growth strategy.
When (and If) You Might Need a Consultant
Once your legal structure is complete and your franchise is properly registered, you may choose to work with a consultant or vendor for specific projects—like operations support, marketing systems, or franchise sales training.
But the sequence matters. Legal comes first. Everything else builds from it. Many franchisors never need a consultant at all once they have the right legal and strategic guidance in place.
Legal-First Franchising Builds Real Growth
At The Internicola Law Firm, we help entrepreneurs franchise their businesses the right way—through fixed-fee legal programs that align compliance, strategy, and growth. Our team has helped more than 350 brands nationwide build strong, scalable franchise systems that deliver real results.
Common Questions About Franchise Consultants and Lawyers
Not usually. With the right law firm, you can handle everything needed to franchise your business—from FDD development to launch strategy—without hiring a consultant.
No. Only licensed attorneys can prepare your FDD and franchise agreement. Consultants who claim otherwise are crossing ethical lines and putting you at risk.
After your legal foundation is in place, you might use a consultant for operational or marketing support—but only under your lawyer’s guidance to ensure compliance and consistency.
A law firm like Internicola combines legal compliance with strategic insight—advising clients on growth planning, territory structuring, Item 19 strategy, and long-term brand protection. We lead the process from development through scale, ensuring every decision supports sustainable growth.
Talk to a Franchise Lawyer About Franchising Your Business
Franchising starts with legal clarity. Our team helps entrepreneurs structure and launch their franchise systems the right way—compliant, strategic, and ready for growth.
Complete the form below to connect with our team and discuss your goals.