Rush on Business

02/07/2026

Are you about to sign a franchise agreement? Don’t do it without understanding what it actually says. Many people miss critical risks hidden in the fine print that could impact profitability and your ability to exit later.

Many franchise buyers focus on what the franchise representatives say the franchise will do for them and overlook the written contract that actually

02/05/2026

"Franchise agreements are not negotiable” is one of the most repeated lines in franchising. It is also one of the most misunderstood. Before you sign, it helps to know what that statement really means.

Franchise agreements are negotiable more often than people think. The franchisees who have the most success focus on three to five high impact issues,

01/17/2026

If AI could draft perfect contracts, lawyers would be obsolete by now. The remarkable speed and cost savings AI offers are tempting, yet relying on algorithms alone can lead to clauses that are vague, unenforceable, or downright risky. I explain why with a real world example.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is here to stay. Clients are now using it all the time. For many it is the first step before contacting a lawyer, if they

07/12/2025

Always pay attention to Item 8 of the Franchise Disclosure Document. If you are locked into specific vendors it may seriously impact profitability.

07/10/2025

A lot of people don’t read the Franchise Disclosure Document even when investing hundreds of thousands of dollars.

If you’re about to sign a franchise agreement, at least ask these 3 questions FIRST:
1.Am I locked in with overpriced vendors?
2.How high are royalties? Are they set where I can a profit?
3.Have franchisees been leaving?

To me, this is a start but finding the answers to those questions will tell you a lot about whether you should invest.

05/27/2025

Franchise due diligence is crucial. Know the essentials before diving in.

Embarking on the journey of becoming a franchise owner is an exciting yet daunting prospect. For first-time entrepreneurs, diving into the world of

01/23/2023

Take time to evaluate potential candidates for your business succession plan-don’t take shortcuts.

If you're a business owner, it's important to have a succession plan in place in case something happens to you. Find out how.

12/29/2022

Want a side hustle? Think about franchising.

You may want to own your own business but you also don't want to quit your day job. Is it possible to find the elusive extra income to add to your bottom

12/29/2022

The franchise industry has it wrong. Find out why.

I have reviewed hundreds of franchise disclosure documents (FDDs) and franchise agreements at this point in my career. And mostly, my review always

12/15/2020

Learn the steps to franchising your business.

Do you want to learn more about how to start a franchise? Find out the steps involved in starting your franchise business.

12/11/2020

Steak-N-Shake is opening in West Des Moines soon. What is the next great franchise you would like to see in Des Moines area?

: A long awaited Steak-N-Shake is anticipated to open in West Des Moines this coming January 2021. A couple of years ago in a Des Moines Register poll,

12/05/2020

Small business is struggling.

Iowa small business struggles as the pandemic continues. Our government's failure to respond appropriately is largely to blame.