Recent Publications

Selected Domestic Developments

Presented at the Dallas Bar Association 2013 Franchise Law Update. >>



Suzanne A. Loonam Trigg

Associate

Dallas


2323 Victory Avenue
Suite 700
Dallas, Texas 75219
T +1 214.651.5098
F +1 214.200.0684

Areas of Practice

Education

  • J.D., University of Texas at Austin School of Law, 2006, with honors, Texas Environmental Law Journal
  • B.S., Animal Science, Texas A&M University, 2003

Bar Admissions

  • Texas, 2006

Judicial Clerkships

The Honorable Brian L. Owsley, U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of Texas
Suzanne A. Loonam Trigg

Suzie Trigg focuses her legal practice on product distribution and other supply chain issues. She has represented franchisors, restaurant systems, consumer product manufacturers and distributors, medical device manufacturers and other companies conducting supply chain initiatives.

Suzie's experience includes representing and establishing purchasing cooperatives and similar buying groups, structuring agreements with vendors and logistics providers, and addressing issues specific to restaurant and foodservice companies, including food safety issues. Suzie frequently drafts and negotiates franchise, license, product distribution and logistics agreements and counsels clients on regulatory compliance issues.

Suzie also draws upon her background in public policy to represent the interests of businesses contracting with or under inspection by government agencies. Prior to practicing law, Suzie served as Legislative Director for a member of the Texas House of Representatives.

Suzie is a member of the ABA Forum on Franchising, has authored several articles on franchise issues, and has given presentations at conferences held by the International Franchise Association (IFA) Legal Symposium and National Cooperative Business Association. Suzie is also a member of the Food and Drug Law Institute and International Association for Food Protection.  

Recent Publications and Speeches

  • "Selected Domestic Developments," Dallas Bar Association 2013 Franchise Law Update, February 2013.
  • "Principle 4: Autonomy & Independence, focusing on By-Laws and Articles of Incorporation," co-presenter, National Cooperative Business Association webinar, May 26, 2011.
  • "Non-Traditional Generation: Franchise Systems Coming of Age with New Franchisees in New Venues," co-author with Joyce Mazero, Franchise Law Journal, Volume 30, Number 4, Spring 2011.
  • Legal Update, co-presenter, National Cooperative Business Association Purchasing Cooperative Conference, September 2010.
  • "Texas Policy Update," presented on behalf of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at the Cancer Alliance of Texas, August 12, 2010.
  • "Purchasing Cooperatives: Leveraging a Supply Chain for Competitive Advantage," co-author with Joyce Mazero, Franchise Law Journal, Vol. 29, No. 3, Winter 2010.
  • "Franchise Law Update," SMU Law Review, Vol. 62, No. 3, Summer 2009.
  • "FTC Releases Franchise Rule Compliance Guide" co-author with Jan Gilbert, Franchise Law Journal, Vol. 28, No. 1, Summer 2008.
  • "Franchise Law Update," SMU Law Review, Vol. 61, No. 3, Summer 2008.

Selected Representative Experience


California Remediation Program
Represented one of the largest service-based franchisors in the country in connection with a California remediation program.

Co-Branding License
Represented a well-known bar/entertainment-facility licensor in connection with its co-branding license with major entertainment concern.

Corporate and Financial Workout - Multi-Unit Franchisee with Restaurants in Hong Kong and Taiwan
Represented a major casual dining brand in connection with a corporate and financial workout with a multi-unit franchisee with restaurants in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Developed Franchise Disclosure Protocol
Developed an industry-leading state franchise disclosure protocol which enables our clients to obtain state franchise registrations faster, with less expense, and with fewer state requests for additional information than before.

Developing Franchise and Refranchising Programs - Multi-Concept Restaurant Operator
Represented a multi-concept restaurant operator with developing franchise and refranchising programs for its mature restaurant brands. Established a product test arrangement between a quick-service pizza concept and a holder of food-concession rights at an international airport.

Development and Implementation of a Multi-State Plan
Represented a fast casual dining chain in connection with the development and implementation of a multi-state plan to remedy over 100 franchise sales violations. The plan resulted in state administrative charges of less than $20,000, no state- or franchisee-initiated legal actions, and enabled the client to register its franchise offering in all desired states.

Due Diligence and Risk Assessment Review
Represented a major pizza brand in connection with a comprehensive due diligence and risk assessment review of its international franchise program and resulting action plan.

Establishment of a Manufacturing Joint Venture
Represented a proprietor of frozen pizza products to establish a manufacturing joint venture with the owner of a manufacturing facility.

Financial Workout - Multi-Unit Franchisee
Represented a major casual dining brand in connection with a corporate and financial workout with a multi-unit franchisee with restaurants in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Formation of Independent Association of Master Franchisees
Represented a group of master franchisees in connection with the formation and continuing representation of an independent association of master franchisees.

Franchise Expansion -- Athletic Wear Retailer
Represented a large athletic wear retailer in its franchise expansion in the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Peru, Panama and throughout Latin America, and additionally in Romania and Croatia.

Franchise Expansion - Computer Retailer
Represented a major computer retailer in its franchise expansion and investment activities in Mexico.

Franchising and Refranchising - Initial Foray
Represented a midsize casual dining brand in connection with its initial foray into franchising and refranchising.

Franchisor Filing in China
Represented a major casual dining steakhouse brand in connection with one of the first existing franchisor filings in China under the new Chinese franchising regulations.

FTC Advisory Opinion
Represented a franchisor in connection with obtaining an FTC Advisory Opinion regarding the ability to count parents and affiliates when analyzing the fractional franchise exemption.

International Development Agreement
Represented a U.S. restaurant brand in drafting an International Development Agreement, a License and Royalty Agreement and an International Services Agreement related to their franchise program in China.

International Transaction - Casual Dining Brand
Represented a major U.S. casual dining brand in its entry into Canada and Mexico as its first international transaction in more than ten years.

Major Casual Dining: Entry Into Russian and Middle Eastern Markets
Represented a major casual dining steakhouse brand in connection with its entry into the Russian and Middle Eastern markets.

Master Franchising - Brazil and Mexico
Represented an internationally recognized video rental retailer in its master franchising in Brazil and Mexico.

Negotiation of a Revised Franchise Agreement
Represented an international franchised retail chain in the negotiation of a revised franchise agreement and operational policies with the franchisor’s franchisee association.

Negotiation of Development and Franchise Rights
Represented a private equity company in connection with its negotiation of development and franchise rights for a major restaurant brand.

Offer and Sale of Marks and System - Casual Dining Restaurant
Represented a casual dining seafood restaurant in connection with the offer and sale of its marks and system to a Saudi Arabian party that will develop and operate restaurants in 10 Mid East and surrounding countries.

Preparation of International-Specific Disclosure Documents
Represented dozens of franchisors in connection with the preparation of international-specific disclosure documents and regulatory filings.

Preparation of Revised Disclosure Documents - Casual Dining Chain
Represented a major casual dining chain in connection with the preparation of revised disclosure documents and other post-merger/post-royalty securitization changes.

Preparation of Revised Offering Circular
Represented a major casual dining brand to prepare a revised offering circular and refranchising forms (including purchase documentation) in connection with plans to refranchise over 500 restaurants. We also assisted with the sale and purchase documents for the first sale of almost 50 restaurants to an existing franchisee.

Proposed Private Placement
Represented a leading environmentally friendly vehicle rental company in connection with a proposed private placement.

Refranchising - Taiwan Market
Represented a major video franchisor in connection with the refranchising of the Taiwan market.

Registration of Franchise Offerings
Represented numerous start-up franchisors and mature companies in the registration of franchise offerings.

Remediation Plan to Remedy Franchise Sales
Represented a Fortune 500 company in preparing a remediation plan to remedy over 1,500 franchise sales violations in virtually all 50 states.

Restructuring of Domestic Franchise Program
Represented a major international video and entertainment chain in connection with the restructuring of its domestic franchise program.

Retrieval of Pirated Internet Doman Names
Represented franchisors in the retrieval of pirated Internet domain names through ICANN proceedings.

Secured Creditors through Loan Covenant Default and Reorganization
Represented multi-chain franchise holding company in dealings with master franchisees, regulators and secured creditors through loan covenant default and reorganization.

Online Publications

02/26/2013 - Selected Domestic Developments
Presented at the Dallas Bar Association 2013 Franchise Law Update.

05/24/2011 - Non-Traditional Generation: Franchise Systems Coming of Age with New Franchisees in New Venues
Franchised businesses have operated in non-traditional venues, such as military bases and airports, for decades. Recently, as optimal street-side real estate locations have become more difficult to acquire and venues have considered the added value of a recognized brand, franchisors and franchisees alike have placed renewed focus on expansions in non-traditional venues.

10/04/2010 - Hot Branding News, Fall 2010

05/01/2010 - Purchasing Cooperatives: Opportunities and Challenges
Purchasing cooperatives present significant benefits to their owners and to the franchise systems that are fortunate to benefit from the expertise and quality goods and services they can provide. This Franchising World article by Suzie Loonam looks at the potential opportunities and challenges.

03/15/2010 - Purchasing Cooperatives: Leveraging a Supply Chain for Competitive Advantage
Purchasing cooperatives pose a unique opportunity for franchise systems to utilize joint collaboration between the franchisor and franchisees and reduce basic costs. Purchasing cooperatives have legal issues most franchise practitioners do not often encounter, but as this article indicates, none should be insurmountable.

01/05/2010 - Texas Government Contracts: New Year, New Rules
Seeking a state purchasing contract? You may now be required to register as a lobbyist. Some independent contractors who help vendors secure procurement contracts in Texas are now required to register with the Texas Ethics Commission. House Bill 3445, which the Texas Legislature passed last spring during the 81st Texas Legislative Session, established new guidelines for lobbying activities related to state procurement contracts.

06/01/2009 - Franchise Law Update
SMU Law Review, Vol. 62, No. 3, Summer 2009. Reprinted with Permission.
This article provides an overview of recent case law and legislative efforts that have had, or will have, an impact on franchises and dealers in Texas and the Fifth Circuit.

06/01/2008 - Franchise Law Update
SMU Law Review, Vol. 61, No. 3, Summer 2008. Reprinted with Permission.
This article provides an update of case law and legislative efforts that have had, or will have, an impact on franchise and dealership law in Texas and the Fifth Circuit.