Franchising Legal Services
Expanding your business through franchising is a strategic way to scale operations, enhance customer experience and further brand values brand recognition, and generate additional revenue streams. The franchise industry continues to grow year on year with the model appealing to both existing businesses and those looking for an alternative to starting up their own business. The business model has proven to be successful for many companies, but like any other business, a franchise requires careful thought, planning and management to succeed. Our expert franchising solicitors provide comprehensive legal services to guide businesses through every stage of the franchising process.
Our Franchising Services
Franchise Agreement Drafting & Review
The franchise agreement is the foundation of any franchise relationship. Our solicitors draft and review agreements to ensure they are legally sound, compliant with UK franchise laws, and protect your interests while maintaining fairness for franchisees.
Franchise Disclosure Documentation
Providing clear and transparent franchise disclosure documentation is essential for regulatory compliance and fostering trust with potential franchisees. We assist in preparing and reviewing these documents to ensure accuracy and legal integrity.
Intellectual Property Protection
Your strong brand identity, core values, trademarks, and proprietary business model are critical assets. We help protect your intellectual property, ensuring that your brand identity and business methodologies remain secure within the franchise framework.
Franchise Compliance & Regulatory Guidance
Franchising in the UK is governed by various laws and industry best practices. Our team at RFB ensures your franchise model adheres to all relevant legal and ethical standards, including brand compliance and compliance with the British Franchise Association (BFA) Code of Ethics.
Franchise Dispute Resolution
Disputes can arise in any business relationship. We provide expert legal support in resolving conflicts between franchisors and franchisees through negotiation, mediation, or litigation if necessary. RFB have our litigation department on hand to work with our corporate and commercial team to support mediation and arbitration, along with advice on any franchisee partner exits and settlements if the matter cannot be resolved.
Franchise Resale & Exit Strategies
When franchisees wish to sell their business or exit the agreement, we facilitate smooth transitions, ensuring legal compliance and protecting both parties’ interests.
Why Choose Us?
- Specialist Expertise – Our solicitors have extensive experience in franchise law and real estate law so can understand the franchise contract and underpinning real estate contract that goes hand in hand with various industries that provide franchise opportunities.
- Tailored Legal Support – We offer a competitive fee structure and with offices nationwide can provide advice and cost structures unique to your business model and goals, including fixed fee structures.
- Client-Centric Approach – We prioritise clear communication, transparency, and efficiency in all our legal services.
If you’re considering franchising your business or need expert legal advice on franchise agreements, compliance, or dispute resolution to attract loyal customers, contact us today for a consultation.
Our solicitors have experience in all aspects of the franchise journey. Here are some of the examples of some of the services that our lawyers in our corporate and commercial team can provide:
Franchisors
- Drafting franchise agreements and assisting with the preparation of operating manuals
- Drafting, negotiating, and executing associated franchise contracts including commercial leases, employment contracts, supply contracts, and third-party commercial contracts
- Undertaking contract reviews to ensure compliance with changes in laws
- Advising and enforcing intellectual property and trademarks designed to protect your business
- Advising on data protection issues arising within a franchise network
- Resolving disputes with franchisees over allegations of non-performance, breach of contract, misrepresentation and termination or early exit
- Advising and where appropriate taking action to enforce restrictive covenants against franchisees who are acting in breach of restraint of trade covenants, such as non-compete, poaching of employees and/or customers
- Pursuing claims against third parties arising out of disputes connected to your franchise
- Advising and acting in expansion or sale of your franchise business
- Drafting employment contracts and advising on employment matters, including when franchises are brought back “in-house” by franchisors
Franchisees
- Reviewing your new franchise agreement and advising you on your obligations and rights
- Advising and where appropriate taking action to prevent the enforcement of onerous restraint of trade covenants which seek to restrict your business activity during and after termination of the franchise
- Advising on your right to exit or terminate the franchise, including claims for misrepresentation and recovery of damages
- Advising and if applicable taking legal or commercial action to resolve disputes with your franchisor
- Advising on data protection issues arising within a franchise network
Who we can help and how
Our team of corporate and commercial solicitors, along with experts in our employment and commercial and property litigation teams can assist both franchisors and franchisees in a wide range of fields.
We also work alongside other third parties such as accountants, franchise consultants and property management agents to ensure that our clients obtain a complete franchising service.
Our corporate commercial team is highly adept and adaptable to meet your specific needs, including maintaining brand consistency regardless if your industry is outside of what is listed above.
Contact us on our general office number on 020 7613 1402 or direct to our RFB Corporate and Commercial Team.
