The FranSource Team

The FranSource team is comprised of individuals with extensive experience in franchising who are well qualified to assist you with your company's franchise development needs. With our extensive business and franchise experience, FranSource is the ideal company for businesses desiring hands-on support from seasoned professionals.

Steve Vandegrift, President, co-founded FranSource in 1997. Mr. Vandegrift has almost 25 years experience in franchising, including establishing and operating businesses as both a franchisee and franchisor.  As a result, the advice and guidance he provides our clients comes from practical real-world experience. During his career, Mr. Vandegrift has worked as Director of Franchise Operations for three national franchise companies and guided dozens of others in developing successful national franchise operations. Mr. Vandegrift’s comprehensive understanding of the franchise relationship ensures that all aspects of the franchise operation are properly developed. Mr. Vandegrift has been quoted in publications including The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Small Business News, and Golfweek Magazine. He is a graduate of Miami University (Oxford).

Joseph McClellan, Director of Development, is a recognized expert in franchise development having played an integral role in franchising for over 30 years.  As a former speaker for the IFA annual convention, Mr. McClellan has conducted numerous sales seminars and training programs for franchisees and franchisors.  His techniques in the art and science of franchise qualifying and sales are used today by many national franchise companies. Mr. McClellan’s expertise has been instrumental in creating successful franchises in the restaurant, communication, entertainment, real estate, finance, weight loss, and residential services industries to name a few.  A few of his early franchise clients included Hollywood Video, Mr. Philly, Entertainment Network, Health Way Weight Loss Centers, Voice-Tel, and Equity 1.  Mr. McClellan’s knowledge and experience in all aspects of franchising assures our clients of receiving solid advice in developing, operating, and growing successful franchise operations.

Attorney Scott Sandrock is a partner in the law firm of Brennan, Manna & Diamond, LLC.  Mr. Sandrock received his Juris Doctorate Degree with honors in law from The Ohio State University College of Law, and his undergraduate degree, magna cum laude, from The University of Notre Dame.  He is admitted to practice in Ohio, Pennsylvania and the United States Supreme Court.  Mr. Sandrock has actively represented franchisors and franchisees since 1978, acting as general counsel for both retail and commercial nationwide franchise systems.  Based on his extensive franchise and license experience, including litigation of related cases, Mr. Sandrock has been selected as an arbitrator by the American Arbitration Association in franchise-related disputes.  Mr. Sandrock is a frequent lecturer and author on franchise and business opportunity issues.

Attorney Dennis Fox, of Counsel, is a principle in the law firm of Lesh, Casner & Miller, LPA. Mr. Fox received his Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude from Walsh University in Canton, Ohio, and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Akron School of Law (Ohio).  He was admitted to the Ohio State Bar in 1971 and has practiced corporate and business law for over 35 years.  Mr. Fox is also a non-active Certified Public Accountant licensed with the State of Ohio, which provides an added level of competence for our clients.  Mr. Fox is a member of the Ohio State and Stark County Bar Associations and a member of the Corporate Law Sections of the Ohio State and Stark County Bar Associations. His extensive business background and practical experience greatly enhance our ability to provide quality legal services and sound business advice to our clients.

Attorney Keith Kanouse is an experienced franchise attorney, practicing over 30 years. He is a partner in the law firm of Kanouse & Walker, P.A.  Mr. Kanouse focuses on corporate, securities and real estate law with a primary focus on franchise, business opportunity and distribution law.  Mr. Kanouse represents both start-up franchisors and business opportunity sellers.  Mr. Kanouse received his Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Business Management from Bradley University, magna cum laude and his Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Notre Dame Law School, magna cum laude.  Mr. Kanouse is a past member of the Board of Directors of the American Association of Franchisees and Dealers as well as founding Chair of the AAFD’s Fair Franchising Standards Committee.  He is also a founding member and a Past Chair of the Franchise Law Committee of The Florida Bar.  Mr. Kanouse is the author of three books: Understanding a Franchise Offering Circular & Negotiating a Franchise Agreement; Negotiating a Business Lease; and Selecting the Best Entity to Own and Operate Your Business; and he is a co-author of two others: Franchise Law and Practice; and Franchising 101.

Attorney Joseph Sebolt, principal of Sand & Sebolt, specializes in the preparation and protection of national and international patents, trademarks and copyrights. He practices under both the Patent Cooperation Treaty and the European Patent Conventions. Mr. Sebolt is one the country's leading copyright, patent and trademark attorneys, and is personally responsible for hundreds of registrations each year.  Mr. Sebolt received a BS in mechanical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Akron. He is registered to practice before the Ohio Bar; the U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit; the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio; and the U.S. Supreme Court. Mr. Sebolt is also licensed to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office. He is a member of the Stark County, Ohio State and American Bar Associations, and the Cleveland Intellectual Property Law Association.