Franchise

These are challenging times and increasingly businesses and individuals are looking for new ways to generate income and business growth. Choosing to become a franchisee or franchising your business could be the way you can achieve rapid business growth in the current economic climate. If you are considering this you should speak to one of our Franchise Team, you get answers, not options.

Freeth Cartwright has significant experience of advising franchisees and businesses in the franchise community. We have been involved in the establishment of franchises for a number of leading UK franchisors but also in the subsequent management of ongoing franchise contracts, renewals, leases, associated planning matters and disputes.

We can help by working with you to implement appropriate legal and practical measures to develop and/or manage your franchises.

How we can help you

  • Strategy
    We can provide strategic advice on the legal and practical steps necessary to start franchising your business, maximise profits out of your current franchise and practical steps to take when you are considering selling your franchise.

  • Audits
    If you are considering franchising your business we can audit your key business assets to make sure they are protected. This includes not only your brands, knowhow and logos but also your property portfolio. We can also audit the businesses of existing franchisors. If you are already franchising and your assets are not adequately protected you risk potentially diluting the reputation and value of your brand and exposing your confidential secrets.

  • Contracts
    We can help you with all aspects of franchise contracts. We can prepare all the contracts and documentation that you will need to franchise your business. We can also advise you on terminating franchises, how to deal with insolvent franchisees and franchise disputes. If you are already in the franchise market we can review your contracts to make sure they are robust. This includes master franchise contracts, leases, trade mark licences, supply contracts, software licences and operations manuals. If you are a prospective franchisee we can review the franchise contracts to check that it is fair to you and allows you to maximise your return from the business.

  • Property
    We advise on all property related franchise issues including lease renewals, assignments, variations and planning issues. Our franchise property team have been advising leading UK franchisors for over 10 years and are experienced at managing large franchise property portfolios and advising clients about alternative ways to deal with franchise property. 

  • Compliance
    If you are considering expanding your franchise operation overseas we can help you to do this in compliance with local laws and regulations. We are also able to advise on other regulatory concerns such as data protection, health and safety, advertising, e-commerce and consumer protection.

  • Branding
    We have a dedicated branding team that can audit your business to find the best ways to protect and exploit your brand through franchising.  Having a uniform livery and brand is a key element of the franchise concept.

  • Training and Updates
    We are holding a series of seminars on topics relevant to the franchise community in conjunction with a leading firm of accountants. If you are interested in attending email julie.scheller@freethcartwright.co.uk to find out more.

    Read our Franchise brochure here
    Click here to read our Winter 2010 Franchise bulletin

    Key Contacts
    Philippa Dempster, Partner
    Paul Thorogood, Partner