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Partners Lane Fisher and Joseph Dunn participated in a private event prior to the annual International Franchise Expo at the Javits Center in New York City. It provided the franchising community an insider’s perspective on how the private equity world works, and included panelists and speakers that have a unique perspective on the different stages of the private equity deal process. Topics included: • Develop a better understanding of the private equity industry • Provide an in depth perspective on how private equity investors think about the franchising industry • Gain insights into what a PE firm looks for through the diligence process, in management meetings, touring facilities, and during deal negotiations • Understand the day-to-day changes that are likely to occur under a private equity owner and what the first 100 days are like after a change of ownership

Presented by: Nancy Weingartner, Executive Editor, Franchise Times Panelists: David Tarr, Director of Franchise Development and Baldeep Chawla, Area Developer and Franchisee, Liberty Tax; Scott Schubiger, SVP, Worldwide Franchise Development and Michele Welcome, Franchisee, Snap Fitness; Lane Fisher, Esquire, Fisher Zucker LLC The franchisor-franchisee relationship is a delicate balance that when managed correctly can result in both parties thriving. With access to capital still difficult to obtain, it is more important than ever for franchisors to support franchisees on everything from real estate, construction, food sourcing, labor management and IT to marketing and advertising. This panel will include discussions from both franchisors and franchisees on how these parties should work together in order to create a successful brand.

Presented by: Nancy Weingartner, Executive Editor, Franchise Times Panelists: Geoff Ingles, Director of Real Estate & Franchise Development and Farouk Diab, Franchisee, Wienerschnitzel; Catherine Monson, CEO and Clint Ehlers, Franchisee, FASTSIGNS; Lane Fisher, Esquire, Fisher Zucker LLC The franchisor-franchisee relationship is a delicate balance that when managed correctly can result in both parties thriving. With access to capital still difficult to obtain, it is more important than ever for franchisors to support franchisees on everything from real estate, construction, food sourcing, labor management and IT to marketing and advertising. This panel will include discussions from both franchisors and franchisees on how these parties should work together in order to create a successful brand.

Presented by: Lane Fisher, Esquire, Fisher Zucker LLC ; Nancy Weingartner, Executive Editor, Franchise Times; Daniel DiZio, CEO, Philly Pretzel Factory; Neal Courtney, CEO, TCBY/Mrs. Fields Famous Brands Every franchise has a story. But how can you tell yours to the media – which in turn attracts customers, prospects and the right kind of attention – so you can become a best seller? Find out how to use your FDD and engage your existing franchisees so you can put your best face forward. Also discover how to relaunch your franchise sales process by accentuating what's novel about your concept and packaging all your strengths via numbers, facts and the brand's personality.

Lane Fisher and Mark Siebert, CEO of iFranchise Group filled the room at the 2014 National Restaurant Show and provided insightful information on how to successfuly franchise your business.

A federal judge has banned Master Softee from operating its ice cream trucks, but that hasn't stopped the rogue soft serve slingers, according to Mister Softee

For the past decade, attorney Jeff Zucker says he has never lost a case on behalf of a client whose family began selling ice cream in 1956 from what is now an 18-state fleet of some 600 Mister Softee trucks. And, so far, his latest litigation, against a former franchisee who has been using the same red-white-and blue color scheme and a similar ice-cream-cone character to sell Master Softee from 10 or more trucks in the New York City area, is no exception. A federal judge in Manhattan last week ruled that defendant Dimitrios Tsirkos had copied the Mister Softee brand and banned him from using the Master Softee name. Tsirkos is also prohibited from selling ice cream at retail in any manner within five miles of his former Mister Softee franchise area, until February 2016, the New York Daily News reports. That court order, however, does not appear to have led to an immediate shutdown of sales of Master Softee (marketed as "the world's best," in contrast to Mister Softee's claim of being "the very best"). The newspaper says it spotted Master Softee trucks over the weekend selling ice cream in Manhattan and Queens, New York, and Mister Softee co-owner Jim Conway told the Daily News a private investigator counted 10 of the competing trucks in Manhattan alone on Saturday and Sunday. Attorney Nicholas Damadeo, who represents Tsirkos, declined to say exactly why the court order banning Master Softee sales apparently was not being honored. But he did note that “the case is still proceeding,” the ban isn't permanent and his client may appeal. © 2014 ABA Journal and the American Bar Association