Legal advice on UK franchising

Before making any commitment, or paying any money, it is essential that prospective franchisees take appropriate professional advice from an experienced franchise solicitor. Remember a franchise contract is long-term, the money you spend on expert solicitors' advice could be one of the best investments you make.

For a list of franchise solicitors, all members of the British Franchise Association, please visit our Franchise Solicitor Directory.

The legal stages

There are various legal stages that you will have to go through before you buy a franchise. Find out the franchise legal stages

The franchise agreement

In order to become a franchisee you will have to enter into a legal agreement with the franchisor, known as the franchise agreement. Find out what is included in the franchise agreement

Refusing a franchisee consent to sell

Most franchise agreements contain a provision to the effect that if the franchisee wants to sell its business, the consent of the franchisor is required, but that the franchisor will not unreasonably withhold that consent. Find out more about this provision

If it all goes wrong

A franchise relationship, as with a marriage, can come to an end. You need to therefore look at how can the two parties withdraw from a relationship in which they have freely shared each other's business plans and secrets with a degree of fairness? And how can the franchisor ensure that the departing franchisee does not become a competitor to himself and the franchisees remaining in the system? Find out what happens if it all goes wrong