Paralegal – Franchise Compliance & Contract Drafting

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Franchise Disclosure Document Responsibilities

• Manage and coordinate the timeline for drafts of the franchise disclosure documents (FDDs) for renewals and amendments, including the development of a timeline to complete annual FDD renewals
• Coordinate the gathering of input from key business team members on revisions to the FDD, compile revisions, and identify issues requiring additional information from key stakeholders
• Prepare, review, and update FDDs in compliance with federal and state regulations
• Assist in the preparation and filing of franchise exemptions, registrations and renewals
• Conduct legal research related to franchise laws and regulations
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders and outside counsel to ensure timely compliance with franchise disclosure requirements
• Maintain and organize franchise-related documents and records
• Track and manage filing deadlines for franchise registrations and renewals
• Support attorneys with franchise-related regulatory filings and related correspondence
• Stay current with changes in franchise laws and regulatory requirements

Legal Contract Drafting Responsibilities

• Draft and revise amendments to franchise and development agreements (including workout agreements, ownership amendments, trust amendments, and other similar agreements), consent to transfer of franchise and development agreements, promissory notes, and other similar agreements
• Work closely with attorneys and business teams to address contract-related issues and provide recommendations
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders and outside counsel to draft and revise contracts

Franchise Compliance Responsibilities

• Draft legal default notices for all brands regarding ongoing compliance issues upon advice and counsel from attorneys.
• Draft termination notices for all brands upon advice and counsel from attorneys.
• Draft cease and desist letters for failure to deidentify after closing upon advice and counsel from attorneys.
• Draft nonrenewal notices for all brands upon advice and counsel from attorneys.
• Liaise with field team members for all brands regarding default notices, terminations, non-renewals and cure periods.

General Responsibilities

• Act as liaison between the legal and internal business teams, including attending meetings and responding to inquiries as necessary
• Assist with the review of franchise-related agreements as necessary
• Perform other general legal and/or business duties and functions as may be assigned or required by business needs

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree required, with a strong preference for a candidate with a Paralegal Certificate from an ABA-accredited program or with a bachelor’s degree in Paralegal Studies, Legal Studies or a related field

• 4 or more years of experience as a transactional paralegal with a focus on contract drafting and franchise regulatory compliance, including FDD renewals, registrations and exemptions
• Strong understanding of franchise laws and regulations and contract law
• Experience supporting transactional attorneys in franchise- and contract-related matters
• Excellent legal research, writing, and communication skills with internal and external stakeholders
• Exceptional organizational skills and ability to consistently prioritize, coordinate and satisfy numerous competing demands and successfully achieve deadline driven results and effectively achieve business objectives
• Proficiency with MS Office Suite
• Strong business acumen, problem solving skills, and judgement
• Limited travel may be required

 

Inspire Brands is a multi-brand restaurant company whose portfolio includes more than 33,000 Arby’s, Baskin-Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dunkin’, Jimmy John’s, and SONIC restaurants worldwide.

We’re made up of some of the world’s most iconic restaurant brands, but we’re much more than just a restaurant company. We’re a team of hundreds of thousands who individually and collectively are changing the way people eat, drink, and gather around the table. We know that food is much more than a staple—it’s an experience. At Inspire, that’s our purpose: to ignite and nourish flavorful experiences.