Franchise Solicitors
Our bespoke service provides our clients with invaluable assistance in negotiating a franchise on favourable terms.
We have specialist Franchise Solicitors within our Corporate team to assist you with all your legal services for Franchising.
Our BFA-accredited lawyers are highly skilled and experienced in advising on all aspects of Franchising laws, including advising franchisors setting up a franchise network or franchisees opening a new franchise.
What is Franchising?
Business franchising involves an established business (known as the franchisor) granting a license to another individual (known as the franchisee), entitling the franchisee to trade as their own businesses under the franchisor’s brand.
Why Franchise?
Proven to be a fast growing sector, many new business owners are turning to franchising as a way to secure a low risk start up business, which avoids the usual initial costs of starting a new business and benefits from an already established brand with continued support from a franchisor.
Established business owners are increasingly turning to franchising to achieve organic growth in terms of territory and revenue. Many franchisors are reaping the benefits of increased brand reputation from setting up national franchise networks with the additional support of the franchisees.
Our Franchise Solicitors regularly advise on:
- Reviewing and negotiating franchise agreements
- Advising on establishing franchise networks
- Drafting and reviewing operations manuals
- Disputes between franchisors and franchisees
- Franchise contracts and employment advice
- Franchise data protection
- Franchise sub-lease agreements
Our expertise in franchising enables us to provide our clients with up to date market advice and solutions which are proportionate to the business risks posed to them as well as ensuring that they are within budget.
Our bespoke service provides our clients with invaluable assistance in negotiating a franchise on favourable terms, whether we’re acting for the franchisee or the franchisor, rather than merely just attending to drafting the legal documentation. Our expert team add sector specific value, which is why our clients stay with us.
Joel Gocool specialises in advising on and negotiating franchise agreements. Joel has a wealth of experience in identifying the key considerations a franchisee should make before starting a new franchise venture.
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Request a video call, phone call or a meeting in person with one of our Franchise solicitors...
BFA Trusted Member
Herrington Carmichael is a trusted member of the British Franchise Association.
Franchise Law FAQs
What is a Franchise Agreement?
The Franchise Agreement contains the principal terms upon which the franchise will be granted and governs the legal relationship between the parties. It includes:
- The term of the Franchise Agreement and renewal provisions;
- The payment obligations of the franchisee;
- The training demands of the franchisor;
- The termination provisions;
- The resale provisions of the franchise.
A franchisee should always review the provisions of the Franchise Agreement in depth before signing the agreement, since they will be unable to alter the terms of the Franchise Agreement post signing, without the franchisor’s consent (which is unlikely to be forthcoming). It is important for the franchisor to keep the intended business relationship in mind whilst carrying out a review of the Franchise Agreement, because franchisors typically utilise template documents across their franchise network which may not necessarily reflect the intended agreement.
What is a franchise Operations Manual?
The Operations Manual governs the day to day running of the business. It contains the methodology and quality control provisions that the franchisee must adhere to whilst operating the franchise. Given that the document contains commercially sensitive business “know how”, a franchisor usually requires the franchisee to sign a confidentiality agreement prior to disclosing a copy of the Operations Manual.
The operations manual is usually an evolving document which can change over time when business processes are streamlined or refined. The franchisee should be comfortable with the overarching principles set out in the Operations Manual prior to signing the Franchise Agreement. Breaching the Operations Manual can also lead to a breach of the Franchise Agreement which could trigger numerous adverse consequences, including termination the Franchise Agreement.
What should a franchisee consider when reviewing a Franchise Agreement?
The key considerations for franchisees when reviewing a Franchise Agreement are summarised below.
1. Personal Guarantee
The personal guarantee will likely cover both the financial obligations and the performance obligations of the Franchisee.
2. Franchisee Fees
Initial Fee
An Initial Fee will usually be due upon signing of the franchise agreement.
Service Fee
The Service Fee is calculated as a percentage of the franchisee’s gross monthly receipts.
Advertising Levy
The Advertising Levy is often set at around 2.5% of Gross Monthly Receipts.
3. Territory
The Franchisee should ensure it is granted exclusive right to trade in a particular location in the Franchise Agreement.
More information about key legal considerations when reviewing a Franchise Agreements, can be found in this following article ‘Key legal considerations for Franchisees‘.
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