The Pineapple Perspective · 2026-01-15 · 30 min
In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, host Troy Hooper sits down with franchise attorney Leslie Curran of Plave Koch PLC (Falls Church, Virginia) for a practical conversation on how strong legal guidance supports long-term brand health especially in restaurant franchising. Curran explains what "hospitality" looks like in a legal-services context: listening closely, understanding a client's business goals, and meeting operators where they are. From there, the discussion moves into common franchising mistakes, starting with emerging brands that franchise without a clear growth plan, accept geographically distant franchisees without operational support systems, or bring on early franchisees who aren't qualified or culturally aligned simply to grow faster. Curran also highlights founder-led blind spots - where lack of self-awareness or resistance to outside expertise creates avoidable problems - and urges brands to be selective with vendors and contracts, not just sales pitches.
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