Brian Schnell focuses his practice in franchising and product distribution law. He is a leader of the Faegre & Benson Franchise Team, a premier international franchise practice representing more than 200 franchisors with headquarters based in 35 states and seven countries.

Brian counsels both emerging and mature franchisors in a variety of industries with regard to all aspects of their franchise programs. He is the lead corporate franchise lawyer for more than 80 franchisors, ranging from companies with thousands of locations worldwide to companies who are in the initial stages of building their franchise systems. These clients operate in dozens of industries including restaurants and related food businesses, hotel, health and fitness, media, automotive aftermarket, pets, convenience stores, children's, and many commercial and residential service and retail segments.

Brian is a past chair of the International Franchise Association (IFA) Supplier Forum and a member of its Legal/Legislative, Awards and Membership committees. He also serves on the board of trustees for the IFA Educational Foundation and the Franchise Advisory Board for WomenVenture. He is a frequent and well-regarded speaker and author on franchising.

The first male to receive the IFA Women's Franchise Committee Crystal Compass, Brian was distinguished for this honor in 2009 based on his leadership in franchising. He also is one of only eighteen franchise lawyers recognized worldwide by Chambers Global.

A highly effective franchise lawyer, Brian combines his legal experience with a passion for, and keen understanding of, franchising to find practical solutions for clients. Like the rest of the Faegre & Benson Franchise Team, he is committed to focusing on what matters and making a difference in working with franchisors on their challenges and opportunities. His experience is based on more than 20 years of working closely with clients—getting to know them and their businesses, goals and objectives. He listens, asks questions, and works hard to find solutions and approaches that work for franchisors. His experience includes:

Professional Recognition

• Crystal Compass, IFA Women's Franchise Committee Leadership Award (first male to receive this award), 2009 
• The Best Lawyers in America, Franchise Law, 2008–2011
• Chambers Global Guide, Franchising, 2009
• Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, Franchising, 2009–2010
• International Who's Who of Franchise Lawyers, 2003–2009
• Super Lawyers, Franchise/Dealership, 2003–2009
• Legal Eagle, Franchise Times, 2003–2009
• The National Registry of Who's Who

Presentations

• Supply Chain Management in Today's Economy
  Food, Agriculture & Biofuels 2010 National Conference, Minneapolis (2010)
• Common Issues Faced by Startup Franchisors
  IFA Annual Convention (2009)
• Franchising in Today's Economy
  International Franchise Expo (2009)
  Franchise Expo South (2009)
• Collaborative Means Profitable: Successful Franchisors Discuss Best Practices in Protecting and Evolving the System
  Franchise Finance and Development Conference (2009)
• Financial Performance Representations: Shield or Sword
  ABA 31st Annual Forum on Franchising (2008)
• Franchise Sales Compliance
  IFA Franchise Development Seminar (2008)
• Growth Challenges: How to Overcome Growing Pains and Take Your System to the Next Level
  Franchise Times' Franchise Finance & Development Conference (2008)
• Working Together to Grow the Brand
  Franchise Update's Multi-Unit Franchising Conference (2008)
• Demystifying the Challenges of U.S. Franchise Expansion
  Middle East Franchising Expo (2008)
• The Five Habits of the Highly Successful Franchisor
  Middle East Franchising Expo (2008); Franchise Expo South (2008–2009); West Coast Franchise Expo (2006–2007); Franchising China Conference & Exhibition (2005)  
• Developing & Implementing an Effective Franchise Sales Program
  IFA ICFE Session (2003–2009), Franchise Update Development & Leadership Conference (2004–2008)
• It's All About Attitude: How Franchisors & Franchisees Should Relate to Each Other for the Overall Success of the System
  IFA Annual Convention (2008–2009)
• Top 10 Rules for Franchisors to Reduce Litigation Risks
  Franchise Expo South (2008)
• Getting from Sold to Open: Issues Faced by Franchise Companies in Onboarding Franchisees
  IFA Legal Symposium (2008)
• Redesigning Your Franchise Sales and Compliance Programs to Meet the New FTC Disclosure Landscape
  Franchise Expo South (2008)
• Judicial Update
  IFA Legal Symposium (2007)
• So You Want to Be a Witness? The Seven Secrets for Avoiding a Trip to the Hot Seat
  Franchise Times' Franchise Finance & Development Conference (2007)
• Legal Disputes With Franchisees Will Happen
  Nova Southeastern University, International Institute of Franchise Education, CEO Summit (2007)
• Franchise Sales for the New and/or Emerging Franchisor
  IFA Annual Convention (2007)
• Lawyers Are Not a Necessary Evil
  Nova Southeastern University, International Institute of Franchise Education, Emerging Franchisor Conference (2006)
• A Franchisor's Brand and Its Brand Promise: The Importance of Undying Devotion to the Brand
  IFA Annual Convention (2006)
• The Pro and Cons of Defranchising
  ABA 29th Annual Forum on Franchising (2006)
• Enforcing System Standards
  IFA Legal Symposium (2005)
• Lead Referral Networks: Solutions & Challenges in Creating the Big Win
  IFA Annual Convention (2005)
• Buying and Selling Company-Owned Units
  ABA 27th Annual Forum on Franchising (2004)
• Building Your Brand for High-Impact Sales
  IFA Annual Convention (2004)

Publications

• Financial Performance Representations—The New and Updated Earnings Claims
  Co-author, ABA Forum on Franchising (2008)
• Communication Rules to Help Your Company Avoid Litigation
  Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal (2008)
• Let's Make a Deal: Franchise Resale Programs
  Franchise Law Journal (2008)
• The Practical Impact of the Judicial Update
  Franchising World (2007)
• Recruiting Top Quality Franchisees With An Effective Sales System
  ICFE Study Guide (2007)
• How U.S. Laws Regulate Franchising
  ICFE Study Guide (2007)
• China: The Land of Franchise Opportunity, but Proceed with Caution
  Bloomberg Corporate Law Journal (2006)
• Five Habits of the Highly Successful Franchisor
  Asiawide Franchise and Business Opportunities (2006)
• The Ten Commandments of Franchise Sales
  Franchising World (2004)
• Demystifying the Legal Challenges of U.S. Franchise Expansion
  The Corporate Lawyer & Advisor, Vol. 1, No. 1 (2004)
• Franchise Lead Referral Sources (aka Franchise Brokers): A Little Common Sense Goes a Long Way
  Franchise Update (2003)