---
title: "Thomas O'Keefe"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/ae6fc768-3590-4d2e-8103-a1e81f27e9f8
source: "1851 Franchise"
original_url: https://1851franchise.com/franchise-legal-players-thomas-okeefe-attorney-at-law-and-president-and-general-counsel-for-regymen-fitness-2709553
category: "Franchise Industry"
industry: "Franchise Industry"
topics: ["Finance & M&A"]
published: 2019-04-01T11:06:01.000Z
modified: 2026-11-01T02:36:44.656Z
image: https://newimage.1851franchise.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=85,format=webp,width=1280,height=720/story/featureImage/e38fcbcb7779f361a41ed669f25dfeed3761.jpg
---

# Thomas O'Keefe

**TL;DR:** Thomas E. O'Keefe is a franchise attorney with experience in civil defense litigation and has served as President of Smoothie King. He operates a private practice and has worked with various franchise companies including Popeyes, Ruth's Chris Steak House, and Anytime Fitness.

*originally published in 1851 Franchise on 2019-04-01. [Read the original](https://1851franchise.com/franchise-legal-players-thomas-okeefe-attorney-at-law-and-president-and-general-counsel-for-regymen-fitness-2709553).*

## Story

**1851: Tell us about your background and your firm.**

**Thomas E. O'Keefe****,** **Attorney-at-Law and** **President and General Counsel for** **Regymen Fitness****:** I operate a private practice specializing in civil defense litigation. I became the in-house counsel to various franchise companies including Popeyes/Church's, SpeeDee Oil, Ruth's Chris Steak House and Anytime Fitness. I also served as President of Smoothie King.

**1851: What are some must-ask questions when franchisors and franchisees are vetting potential franchise attorneys?**

O’Keefe: Some great questions to ask include, ‘Do you practice in the area and not just as a transactional or contract attorney? Are you familiar with the FTC Rule? Have you drafted FDDs?’

**1851: In broad terms, do you have a particular case that stands out to you as an industry learning experience?**

O’Keefe: Not a case but the issue of making franchisors legally responsible for their franchisees’ employees.

**1851: What is the most rewarding aspect of your work?**

O’Keefe: Helping entrepreneurs grow their businesses.

**1851: What are your top concerns for the franchise industry in the next year?**

O’Keefe: Franchisors being legally responsible for their franchisees’ employees.

**1851: What are you most optimistic about in the franchise industry in the next year?**

O’Keefe: The economy should create a lot of small franchised businesses.

## Entities

- 1851 Franchise (publication)
- Franchise Industry (sector)
- Smoothie King (company)
- Popeyes (company)
- franchise law (topic)
- Anytime Fitness (company)
- ftc rule (topic)
- Regymen Fitness (company)
- franchise attorney (topic)
- Ruth's Chris Steak House (company)

---
Originally reported by 1851 Franchise (https://1851franchise.com/franchise-legal-players-thomas-okeefe-attorney-at-law-and-president-and-general-counsel-for-regymen-fitness-2709553). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/ae6fc768-3590-4d2e-8103-a1e81f27e9f8).