Franchising

We work with FTSE listed and leading national companies on a broad range of national and international franchising matters, particularly in the retail, leisure and automotive industries.

Our team provides comprehensive advice for businesses looking to expand by granting or taking a franchise. We work with businesses of all sizes, from regional UK start-ups to household retail names throughout Europe, South East Asia, India and the Middle East.

We also have experience in managing substantial global trade mark portfolios, handling registration, challenges and enforcement.

Our expertise includes advising businesses on the right legal structure when expanding, including unit and master franchises, development agreements, joint ventures, manchises and subordinated equity arrangements.

We prepare, review and negotiate franchise agreements – helping you to successfully navigate the different legalities and practices, so that there are no unwelcome surprises later down the line.

Where there is dispute, we act for all parties in bringing and defending claims, working towards a satisfactory resolution – often with early intervention to prevent costly prolonged negotiations.

We offer much more than niche franchise advice, drawing on sector knowledge and wider legal specialisms to ensure our clients get relevant, commercial advice.

Our team of specialists are ranked in the “Best of UK” for franchising in Chambers UK, an independent guide to the legal market. We've been an affiliate of the British Franchise Association (BFA) for over 20 years and in 2019 won the Innovation & Development Award in the BFA's Professional Affiliate and Supplier Awards.

• Advising an international FTSE 250 fashion retailer on requirements for an automated system for management and execution of their international franchise agreements, operating in over 40 jurisdictions worldwide.
• Advising WHSmith with the negotiation and completion of an agreement for the operation of further Post Offices franchises across the WHSmith estate.
• Advising a listed plc food and beverage client on strategic franchising projects in overseas jurisdictions, advising on a model to reflect the importance of the partners involved and the development of the client's current franchised model to fit specific terms negotiated and the company’s broader strategic plans for brand recognition and development.