In this episode, host Paul Ehlinger sits down with franchise attorney Ari Stern, partner of Fox Rothschild LLP, for a deep, practical conversation at the intersection of franchising, dispute resolution and franchise AI. As the first lawyer to appear on the show, Ari shares how he unexpectedly found his niche in franchise law and why proactive legal strategy matters more than ever as brands adopt new technologies.

From real-world arbitration stories to the risks of relying too heavily on AI-generated legal documents, Ari breaks down what franchisors and franchisees need to know to protect their systems, their relationships and their brands. The conversation also explores how data privacy, compliance and expectations-setting play a critical role in long-term franchise growth and franchise marketing success.

Listeners will hear:

• How Ari went from a “jack of all trades” litigator to a nationally focused franchise dispute attorney.

• Why many franchise disputes stem from miscommunication and how to prevent them before they start.

• The real risks of using AI to draft franchise agreements without proper legal oversight.

• How to use AI for business responsibly without creating compliance or disclosure issues.

• Why dispute-resolution clauses can be a brand’s best long-term insurance policy.

• What franchisees should look for in an FDD . . . and when “no deal” is the best deal.

• How franchisors should communicate after a dispute without damaging trust or reputation.

It's must-listen for franchisors, franchisees and operators who want to scale smart, stay compliant and understand the evolving role of AI in modern franchise systems!

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