OUR
SERVICES
Business Transactions
Early Stage & Emerging Business Advising
Food, Beverage & Hospitality
Franchisor & Brand Development
Intellectual Property/Trademarks
Outside General Counsel
Prospective & Current Franchisees
Real Estate Development
Regulatory Affairs
Business Transactions
At EntrePartner, we know that every agreement — no matter the size — carries both opportunity and risk. Our job is to help you seize the opportunities and evaluate the risks.
Whether you’re acquiring a company, forming a new joint venture, negotiating a critical vendor agreement, or finalizing a real estate lease, EntrePartner becomes your strategic legal partner from structure to signature. We guide you through deal planning, due diligence, negotiation, and documentation with a practical, business-first mindset — not just checking legal boxes.
Our approach goes beyond drafting contracts. We dig into the business terms, flag hidden liabilities, and make sure the final agreements reflect your real goals, not just theoretical protections. We focus on closing deals efficiently and intelligently — protecting your interests without slowing down your momentum.
Our business transaction services include:
Mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures (buy-side and sell-side)
Business and asset purchase agreements
Joint ventures and strategic alliance agreements
Vendor, supplier, and distribution contracts
Employment contracts and offer letters
Real estate purchases, leases, and development agreements
Equipment leases and asset financing
Intellectual property licensing and collaboration agreements
Franchise agreements
Technology and SaaS transactions
E-commerce terms, conditions, and privacy policies
Entity formation and corporate structuring
Operating, shareholder, and partnership agreements
Make Your Deal Work for You
We help structure deals that don’t just look good on paper — they actually work for your business. Whether it’s a vendor agreement, a strategic partnership, or a full-scale M&A transaction, we design contracts and deal terms that reflect your objectives, growth plans, and operational realities. Our goal is to align every legal detail with the big-picture strategy you're building toward.
Protect What Matters Most
Every deal carries risks — some obvious, some hidden. We proactively identify vulnerabilities that could threaten your ownership rights, intellectual property, or future business flexibility. Then we negotiate terms that safeguard your core assets and position you to weather changes in the business landscape without losing value.
Grow With Confidence
Smart businesses don’t stand still — they scale, pivot, and evolve. Whether you’re bringing in a new partner, expanding to new markets, or licensing technology to outside users, we structure your agreements to support growth while protecting your operational control. With EntrePartner behind you, you can pursue new opportunities knowing your foundation is secure.
Get Practical, Business-Driven Legal Advice
We believe legal advice should accelerate business decisions — not stall them. Instead of just identifying risks, we offer clear, practical solutions that move your deal forward while minimizing exposure. Our approach is pragmatic, efficient, and always focused on helping you achieve your business goals, not just avoiding worst-case scenarios.
Early Stage and Emerging Business Advising
Founders, Builders, and Dreamers Team Up with EntrePartner
You’ve got a business to build—and legal should help, not slow you down. EntrePartner works with startups and scaling businesses across Minneapolis and beyond, giving founders and teams practical, no-fluff legal support to grow with confidence.
Whether you're just getting started or you're closing an investment round and ready to make your dream happen, EntrePartner’s got you covered. Let EntrePartner be your legal co-pilot throughout your entrepreneurial journey!
Let’s get your business off the ground the right way. We assist you with selecting a business entity and drafting your initial agreements such as:
- LLCs, C-Corps, S-Corps – what entity is right for you?
- Founder agreements that make sure everyone’s on the same page
- Operating Agreements, Bylaws, and everything else the future you will thank you for.
- Co-founder agreements
- Vesting schedules and equity splits
- IP assignment (because your ideas should stay with your company)
Commercial Contracts
Your business runs on deals. EntrePartner will help you make your contracts solid such as:
- Service agreements
- Terms & conditions and privacy policies
- Vendor and partnership agreements
- SaaS, licensing, and subscription models
Raising Capital
From bootstrapped to Seed Round, Series A and beyond—EntrePartner helps founders through all stages. We can be your partner for:
- SAFE, convertible notes, and equity financing
- Investment terms you can actually understand
- Cap table clarity
- Due diligence support
Mergers, Acquisitions & Exits
Thinking about buying, selling, or merging? Let EntrePartner make sure it’s a move you really want. We regularly draft and evaluate:
- Buy-sell agreements
- Letters of intent and term sheets
- Asset and stock purchase agreements
- Negotiation and deal strategy
Get Started and Legally Protected
EntrePartner helps you choose the right structure, set up clean ownership from day one, and avoid the awkward co-founder conversations later.
Create Expectations Between Founders
No one wants to talk about breakups, but real founders do. EntrePartner will help you build a foundation that works if everything goes right—or if it doesn’t.
Work with Partners Outside Your Business
EntrePartner will help you draft, review, or negotiate contracts that actually reflect how your business runs—and protect you while you're running it.
Fund Your Growth
Whether you're raising from friends and family, angels, or VCs, we will make sure your documents are clean, fair, and ready for growth.
Acquire New Business or Create an Exit Strategy
Selling or acquiring a business is a big deal—literally. EntrePartner can help you navigate the process, avoid landmines, and get the deal done on your terms.
Food, Beverage & Hospitality
Food & Beverage
The firm has represented restaurant businesses in various legal matters since shortly after its inception. We love restaurant owners and operators for the joy they bring their customers, and the way they enhance their communities. Our team members have even taken the leap as investor-owners in some of our most trusted clients’ concepts!
In our work with restaurant clients, we have taken startup and family-owned businesses from closely-held, local fan-favorites to regional powerhouses. We have assisted owners who are expanding from one to multiple locations, and from a regional to national and international presence. We have negotiated with stubborn landlords, disgruntled customers, and franchise regulators.
We deal with licensing, franchise development, employee matters, trademark protection, succession planning, distribution agreements, and so many more. Each solution is as unique as your restaurant, and we encourage you to pick our brains about how your particular problem can be solved.
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Hotels
For our clients looking to own, operate or owner-operate hotels, we offer the same range of general counsel services as we offer to any business, with a focus on the particular nuances that come with unpredictable market dynamics and real estate operations. We understand the carefully negotiated dynamics of owners and operators, and how to work with national and international hotel brands to create opportunities for expansive success.
For hotel clients, we offer a variety of services, which can include: negotiations of licensing and franchise agreements, assistance in real estate development issues, partnership structuring, financing and exit strategies, licensing and other regulatory matters, and more.
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Franchisor & Brand Development
From first-time franchisors to seasoned national brands, EntrePartner helps you scale smart — not just fast. We understand that building a franchise system isn’t just about legal compliance; it’s about creating a replicable, profitable, and sustainable model that protects your brand and drives long-term growth.
EntrePartner providing full-spectrum legal support tailored to the realities of scaling businesses. Our team streamlines complex legal processes so you can focus on recruiting the right franchisees, expanding into new markets, and building brand equity. We proactively identify regulatory challenges, operational risks, and strategic opportunities so your franchise system can grow consistently, compliantly, and with maximum enterprise value.
At EntrePartner, we don't just help you franchise - we help you build a brand that lasts.
Build a Scalable System
We design franchise systems that support aggressive growth without losing operational control. From the foundation of your FDD to the structure of your agreements, we create legal frameworks that allow you to expand efficiently while maintaining brand standards. Our goal is to set you up for smart, sustainable growth — not legal headaches down the road.
Stay Compliant and Protected
Franchise regulations don’t stand still, and neither should your compliance strategy. We manage your state registrations, annual renewals, and disclosure obligations to keep your system in good standing nationwide. With EntrePartner overseeing your regulatory compliance, you can expand confidently without fearing hidden risks or costly setbacks.
Support Your Franchisees
Franchisee success is system success — and it starts with clear legal expectations. We help you draft agreements, manuals, and operational policies that protect your brand while giving franchisees the tools they need to perform. A strong legal foundation minimizes disputes, strengthens relationships, and helps your franchise network thrive.
Franchising services include:
Drafting, reviewing, and updating Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDDs)
Draft and enforce multi-unit development agreements
Franchise registrations and annual renewals nationwide
Franchise Agreement and Development Agreement negotiation
Franchise compliance programs and operations support
Advise on Item 19 Franchise Performance Representations
System-wide vendor agreement negotiation
Consolidation of franchised and corporate locations
Mergers, acquisitions and purchase and sale of units
Prepare franchise resale protocols
IP licensing and brand protection
Franchisee relationship management and dispute resolution
Strategic planning for new revenue streams
Advise on franchise marketing fund structure and compliance
Consolidation of franchised and corporate locations
Exit planning and system sale support
Operations manual review to align with legal requirements
Intellectual Property/Trademarks
Your brand is an asset. Let's protect it.
We help clients register, manage, and defend their trademarks and other intellectual property. Your brand isn’t just a name or logo — it’s one of your company’s most valuable assets. It represents your reputation, your market position, and the trust you’ve built with customers. Protecting that brand isn’t optional; it’s essential to scaling, franchising, and competing in today’s marketplace.
EntrePartner helps businesses of all sizes secure, manage, and enforce their trademark and IP rights at every stage of growth. From brand name clearance and federal trademark registration to portfolio strategy, licensing, and enforcement, we make sure your intellectual property works for you — not against you. Our approach is proactive, business-focused, and designed to preserve the long-term value of your brand.
Whether you’re launching a new brand, expanding into new markets, or dealing with an infringement threat, we provide the legal strategy and practical tools you need to maintain control and unlock the full potential of your IP.
Our Intellectual Property Services Include:
Assist with name development and risk assessment
Trademark clearance and portfolio strategy
U.S. trademark registration and monitoring
Trademark renewals and maintenance
IP licensing agreements
Trademark enforcement and dispute response
Brand usage guidelines and team compliance training
Building a recognizable brand is an investment — and federal trademark registration is what secures that investment. It’s the foundation for expanding your business across state lines, entering new markets, and creating franchising or licensing opportunities. EntrePartner ensures your filings are strong, strategic, and set you up for long-term success.
Build Defensible Intellectual Property
Trademark registration is just the beginning. We work closely with clients to craft brand strategies that are not only memorable but legally defensible. Our approach protects you from costly disputes and positions your brand for clean growth — whether you’re expanding product lines, launching new services, or entering new verticals.
Protect Against Infringement
Your brand equity can be threatened the moment others try to imitate your success. We help you enforce your brand without unnecessary escalation, focusing on practical outcomes that protect your reputation, customer loyalty, and bottom line.
Expand Globally
EntrePartner helps clients leverage their U.S. registrations to secure international protection through foreign filings and global treaties like the Madrid Protocol. We coordinate with trusted foreign counsel, advise on strategy for priority countries, and ensure your brand is protected as you scale internationally.
Outside General Counsel
Legal strategy for growing businesses, without the full-time salary.
EntrePartner, we understand that scaling companies need more than occasional legal advice — they need a trusted partner embedded in their decision-making process. Our Outside General Counsel program provides ongoing legal support at predictable, budget-friendly pricing, giving you access to experienced business attorneys who operate as an extension of your leadership team.
We don’t just react to legal issues — we anticipate them, plan around them, and align your legal strategy with your business goals. Whether you need quick-turn contract review, sensitive employment advice, or high-stakes financing support, we’ll be there when you need us — and out of the way when you don’t.
Don’t just call when there’s a fire. With EntrePartner as your outside counsel, we help you identify and address legal issues before they grow into major problems. Our proactive approach means fewer surprises, fewer emergencies, and a stronger, more resilient business foundation.
Predictable Budgeting
Subscription-based pricing means you can plan for legal just like any other operational cost — no more worrying about hourly rates stacking up. You get ongoing access to experienced attorneys for a consistent monthly fee, allowing you to budget confidently. Legal support becomes a strategic investment, not a financial unknown.
A Team That Knows Your Business
The more we work together, the better we understand your company's operations, goals, and risk tolerance. Instead of starting from scratch with each new legal matter, we bring deep institutional knowledge that makes our advice faster, sharper, and more customized to your needs. You gain a true partner who grows alongside your business.
Real-Time Access to Counsel
We move at the speed of your business. When an issue arises, you won’t be stuck waiting days for a call back — you’ll have responsive attorneys who already know your business context and can deliver timely, actionable advice. This real-time access helps you make better, faster decisions with full legal insight.
Our Outside General Counsel Services Include:
Contract review, drafting and negotiation
Ongoing compliance programs built on your systems
Employment counseling and policy development
Equity, debt, and VC financing support
Franchise system guidance
IP protection and licensing
Strategic risk management and legal planning
Coordination with other outside counsel
Prospective & Current Franchisees
Smart legal guidance for franchisees at every stage - from first signing to final exit.Â
EntrePartner brings deep franchising experience to the table — not just for franchisors, but for franchisees, area developers, and master franchisees navigating both startup and ongoing operations. We help you understand what you're signing, negotiate fair terms, and make informed business decisions before you commit.
For prospective franchisees, we provide clear, practical guidance on reviewing Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDDs), Franchise Agreements, and Area Development Agreements. Our goal is to identify the business terms that matter most — and ensure those terms align with your financial goals, operational expectations, and long-term exit plans. We frequently negotiate directly with franchisors to secure meaningful revisions that protect your investment.
We also work with established franchisees as they grow, restructure, or prepare for exit. Whether you’re acquiring additional units, renegotiating development schedules, managing complex franchisor relationships, or planning a resale, we provide strategic legal counsel to keep you compliant, protected, and in control of your business.
Understand What You're Saying
Franchise agreements are long-term, high-stakes commitments — and they’re written to protect the franchisor. EntrePartner helps you dissect the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), understand what’s standard (and what’s not), and evaluate how the contract aligns with your business goals. You’ll get practical, honest insights so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.
Negotiate Terms That Protect Your Investment
Even in established franchise systems, there’s often room to negotiate. We help franchisees push for changes to critical terms like territory rights, development schedules, renewal conditions, and personal guarantees. Our goal is to strengthen your legal and financial position before you sign — not after problems arise.
Stay Compliant and Out of Trouble
Franchisees are required to follow a tightly defined system — but that doesn’t mean you don’t have rights. We advise on your day-to-day legal obligations, flag potential compliance risks, and step in when your franchisor’s actions are inconsistent with the agreement. EntrePartner helps you protect your business while avoiding costly missteps.
Exit on Your Terms
Selling a franchise isn’t as simple as handing over the keys — it’s governed by strict transfer provisions and franchisor approval. Whether you’re planning ahead or responding to an unexpected life change, we help you navigate the resale process smoothly and profitably. From negotiation to documentation, we position you for a clean, compliant exit.
Our Franchisee-Focused Legal Services Include:
Flat-fee FDD review and analysis
Franchise Agreement negotiation
Review and negotiation of Multi-Unit Development Agreements
Evaluation of renewal rights, transfer clauses, and exit terms
Negotiation of personal guarantees and limitation of liability
Evaluation of non-compete, non-solicit, and confidentiality clauses
Guidance on business formation and ownership structure
Review of lease agreements for franchised locations
Counsel on issues and disputes arising with franchisors
Support during the sale or transfer of franchise businesses
Compliance counseling on operational requirements
Real Estate Development
EntrePartner’s real estate development team offers clients the unique perspective of lawyers who have been on the inside of $100+ million in development deals. Based on our real world experience, our team helps create solutions and connect industry players.
Our services also support traditional transactional real estate matters, including the preparation and negotiation of purchase agreements, loan documents, and development agreements, identification of environmental risks and remediation, lease preparation and negotiation, structure of join ventures between land owneres and developers, and identifying and securing non-traditional funding sources.
Our lawyers have experience putting together the business case for development of particular parcels. In particular, we build, analyze, and critique pro formas, consider appropriate unit mixes for multifamily buildings, offer advice on which flat to fly for new and restored hotel properties, handle licensing and regulatory matters, and are intimately aware of the gravity of signing eight-figure personal guarantees.
These are some broad descriptions of how we help developers and landowners
Offering traditional transactional advice.
Structuring land acquisitions to best protect a developer during the entitlements phase.
Guiding and critiquing concept development.
Working with lenders and equity partners to secure project financing, grants, and permitting issues.
Securing municipal approvals and participation, including for tax increment financing.
Negotiating environmental indemnities.
Preparing construction contracts and financing documentation.
Arranging cash-out refinancing transactions, and more.
Regulatory Affairs
Franchise registration, renewal, and ongoing compliance.
Land use applications.
Trademark registration and related proceedings.
Coordinating regulatory submissions and review for investment crowdfunding raises.
License applications and compliance for restaurants, breweries, distilleries, and hotels.
Representation in administrative enforcement actions.
EntrePartner lawyers represent clients in all forms of interaction with government regulators, including seeking government approvals, licensing matters, and resolving administrative enforcement actions.
Many of our clients are subject to regulations in some form or another, whether at the local, state or federal level (or some combination). The wheels of government can grind slowly, so it’s important to have someone tasks with monitoring your interests. For clients unfamiliar with regulatory compliance - or who prefer to delegate these matters to a trusted agent and focus on their business - EntrePartner attorneys provide diligent, focused representation in regulatory affairs.
On the other side of the table, we offer efficient, solution-focused counsel and representation for clients subject to regulatory investigations. It is our goal to share candid, honest opinions about likely outcomes as quickly as possible. We help project fees and timelines to give you the best basis for business decisions during the process.