Description:
The Role:The Associate Counsel – Franchising & Corporate will support the Company's Corporate Counsel in managing legal matters related to franchising, corporate governance, real estate leasing, and regulatory compliance. This role will play a key part in maintaining and updating Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDDs), supporting franchise sales and development activities, reviewing and negotiating commercial leases and franchise-related agreements, and ensuring ongoing compliance with federal, state, and local franchising laws. This role also supports broader corporate legal functions, including employment law, governance, and risk management.
The ideal candidate has previous experience working on the franchisor's side of franchising business and a deep understanding of franchise law and business operations, and is seeking hands-on in-house experience within a fast-growing franchised organization, with meaningful exposure to cross-functional partners including Development, Real Estate, Operations, Finance, and People.
Essential Responsibilities:
- Assistin the preparation, maintenance, and annual update of the Company's Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), including coordination with internal stakeholders and outside counsel as needed.
- Support state franchise registration, renewal, amendment filings, and ongoing compliance requirements across registration and non-registration states.
- Monitor and track changes in federal and state franchising laws and regulations, escalating risks or required updates to Corporate Counsel.
- Support franchise sales compliance, including review of franchise sales processes, disclosures, and related documentation.
- Review, draft, andassistin negotiating franchise agreements, area development agreements, amendments, renewals, transfers, and related franchise documentation.
- Review, draft, and negotiate commercial real estate leases, lease amendments, guaranties, and related site development agreements in partnership with Development and Real Estate teams.
- Support general corporate legal matters, including entity management, governance documentation, and contract review.
- Assistwith legal review of vendor agreements, NDAs, service agreements, and other commercial contracts as assigned.
- Partner with Development, Operations, Finance, and People teams to provide practical, business-minded legal guidance.
- Help develop andmaintainlegal templates, playbooks, checklists, and internal processes to support scalability and consistency.
- Coordinate with outside counsel on specialized legal matters, including franchising, real estate, employment, orlitigationmatters, as directed.
- Maintain organized legal files, trackers, and compliance calendars.
- Adviseonemployment law matters and policies as needed, in coordination with HR and outside counsel.
- Manage relationships with external counsel to ensure efficient and cost-effective legal services.
- Keep abreast of evolving franchise laws, regulations, and industry trends.
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school,required.
- Active license to practice law in at least one U.S.jurisdiction; admission to the state barin Georgia,required.
- Minimum of2-5 years of experience as corporate counsel on the franchisor side, with provenexpertisein franchise law and compliance.
- Experience managing FDDs, franchise registration filings, and franchise agreements.
- Experience in employment law and/or corporate governance preferred.
- Demonstrated experience advising business leaders in a corporate setting.
- Deep understanding of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Franchise Rule and state franchise laws.
- Strong drafting and negotiation skills with the ability to balance legal risk and businessobjectives.
- Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Proven ability to work cross-functionally and influence without direct authority.
- High levelof integrity, professionalism, and sound judgment.
- Travel:Occasional travel for meetings, conferences, or franchise events (up to 20%).
- Location:BasedAtlanta, GAwith opportunity for hybrid work.
Physical Requirements:
- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Ability to communicate effectively in person, via video, and over the phone.
- Work environment:This positionoperatesprimarily in a professional office or hybrid work environment.Therole may occasionally require extended hours or travel to support business needs or address urgent legal matters.
The duties of this position may change from time to time. PopUp Bagels reserves the right to add or delete duties and responsibilities at the discretion of PopUp Bagels or its managers. This job description is intended to describe the general work level. It is not intended to be all-inclusive.
