In an examination of the Fourth Circuit's opinion in Meineke Car Care Centers v. RLB Holdings, Partner Michael Lockerby proposes that the court's decision regarding the recovery of “future damages” will benefit not only franchisors but also franchisees. He says the decision upholds principles of contract law that franchisees can use to their benefit and strengthens the franchising community as a whole by allowing franchisors to maintain the integrity of their business systems.