Franchising Expert Witnesses

Ponte Vedra, Florida

Oil and Gas, Business Operations - Convenience Stores, Retail, Franchising, Mystery Shopping, Retail Gas/Motor Fuel Operations, Customer Service, Contracting, Merchandising, Category Management, Operations Management, Food Safety, Age-restricted

Mr. Ritenour is a veteran of Convenience Store and Retail Petroleum Industry since 1973. Additionally, he is a testifying witness with experience drafting expert reports, research and providing testimony for c-store, franchise and retail petroleum motor fuel litigation. Russ’ knowledge and over forty years of experience effectively managing cross-functional domestic and global teams, programs, and processes at large corporations in both the retail petroleum and convenience retailing industry allow him to create expert reports and work with a litigation team. Russ’ expert experience, comprehensive knowledge and highly diversified career in the convenience store and retail petroleum industry includes corporate operations, management and leadership roles at many levels within the industries. His expertise includes, corporate operational management, franchising and franchise management, category management, food safety, customer and consumer experience management, mystery shopping, sur...

Bloomington, Minnesota

Franchising, Arbitration/Mediation - Financial Performance Representations, Franchise Advertising/Marketing Funds, Franchise vs License, Franchise Registrations, Franchise disclosure requirements, Enforcing Brand Standards, Protecting trademarks and confidential info, Terminating franchise relationships, Role of the lawyer, Mediation

Franchise attorney for over 45 years, primarily representing franchisors, but I have occasionally represented large franchisees, including a private equity franchisee. Began in franchising as a manager of a Burger King restaurant in college. Graduated law school with high honors in 1977 and gravitated to franchise law in 1978. My franchise clients ranged from start-ups to large international companies with thousands of franchisees. My work includes advising clients on whether the franchise model is appropriate for them, preparing franchise disclosure documents and franchise and other agreements related to the franchise relationship, addressing disputes with franchisees and mergers and acquisitions. I advise clients on all aspects of franchising, including the sale of franchises, enforcement of brand standards, protection of trademarks and other intellectual property, termination and non-renewal of franchises, enforcement of non-compete agreements, resolution of franchise dis...