Business Legal Services
Franchise Law
Commercially focused legal advice for franchisors and franchisees
Whether you’re setting up a franchise agreement, expanding and managing established networks, or investing in a franchise, our franchise solicitors help you navigate legal complexities, protect your commercial interests, and make decisions with confidence.
Finding the right legal partner
Why work with Harper James
Choose a legal partner you can trust: we’ll help protect your goals, your business and your people so you can move forward with confidence and focus on growing your business.
Affordable, transparent and predictable pricing
Clear itemised invoices, subscription plans with up to 50% discount, and fixed fee products help you plan and manage legal spend – with no nasty surprises.
Proven track record and measurable results
We’ve supported over 8,000 businesses since 2014, with an ‘Excellent’ rating on Trustpilot and a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 60+ from monthly client surveys.
Straight-talking, responsive advice
That means fast response times, practical expert legal advice delivered in plain English, and dedicated client service and account management support.
Risk and compliance assured
We’re an SRA regulated firm, but more importantly, we build quality, data, and compliance best practice into everything we do.
What can we help with?
How our franchise solicitors can help your business
Franchising creates opportunities for growth, but the legal arrangements need to work for your business now and if circumstances change. Here is where we can help:
When you need to turn your business into a franchise and want to establish a commercially viable model with the right legal structure to support future growth.
When you need to expand your franchise network in the UK or internationally and want to structure new territories, master franchise arrangements, and relationships with franchisees.
When you need to resolve a franchise dispute involving performance, contractual breaches, renewal, or termination, while limiting disruption to your business.
When you need to draft, review, or negotiate a franchise agreement and want clear terms covering fees, territories, obligations, and the balance of risk between franchisor and franchisee.
When you need to protect your brand and intellectual property and want appropriate controls over how franchisees use your trade marks, confidential information, and business systems.
When you need to buy, sell, or restructure a franchise business and want to understand the contractual obligations, carry out due diligence, and manage risks affecting the transaction.
If your situation is more complex or doesn’t fit these examples, tell us what you’re trying to achieve. We’ll help you understand your options.
Our usual process follows these steps:
- Tell us about your franchise needs
Whether you’re setting up a franchise, expanding your network, or buying into an existing franchise, share your plans, relevant agreements, and any key deadlines. - Understand your options
We’ll review your franchise arrangements, identify the key legal and commercial risks, and explain the best approach for your business. - Get the legal support you need
From drafting franchise agreements to managing franchisee relationships and resolving disputes, we’ll handle the legal work and keep you informed throughout.
Expert franchise solicitors
A joined up approach to franchise law
As a full service commercial law firm, we are able to make sure that all of your franchise related needs are met, whether that’s sorting out the lease of business premises for the new franchise, drafting employment or commercial contracts, protecting a franchisor’s Intellectual Property and brand or resolving franchise disputes.
Why choose our franchise solicitors?
Meet our team
Our franchise solicitors understand the challenges that can arise when establishing, expanding, or managing a franchise. That means we can help you anticipate potential sticking points, understand the implications of different contractual terms, and focus negotiations on what matters most commercially.
From territory restrictions and performance obligations to renewal rights and exit provisions, we know which areas deserve particular attention and how they can affect your business over time. Rather than simply highlighting legal risks, we’ll explain what they mean in practice and help you understand the options available.
You’ll benefit from solicitors who understand the realities of running a business, not just the legal complexities. Through our flexible subscription plans, we can work as an extension of your team, building an understanding of your franchise operations, commercial priorities, and long term goals. This means practical, joined up advice from lawyers who know your business and can support you as it evolves.
Pricing and service plans
Legal support designed
to fit your business needs
Our three transparent service plans are designed to give you the widest possible access to high-quality legal advice, whatever the size and nature of your business:
Engage
Flexible access to senior solicitors at highly competitive rates
An alternative to our subscription plans, offering access to full service legal expertise on a project-by-project basis.
Enable
Purpose built legal support for start-ups and smaller businesses
Monthly subscription plan for £259 per month, with £174 monthly credit and access to all legal services at 50% discount on our Standard Rates.
Extend
Comprehensive legal partnership for established businesses
Fully account managed and scalable annual subscription plan with support from a curated team of partners and senior solicitors, with up to 33% discount on our Standard Rates.
Understanding franchise law
Common questions
Franchise agreements can raise important questions about contractual rights, commercial obligations, and protecting your business. Here are some of the legal issues franchisors and franchisees commonly ask about.
What should be included in a franchise agreement?
A franchise agreement typically covers fees, territories, operating standards, intellectual property rights, and the responsibilities of both parties. It should also address performance requirements, renewal, termination, and what happens if the relationship breaks down. The terms should reflect how the franchise operates and the commercial risks involved.
Can a franchisor change the terms of an existing franchise agreement?
A franchisor’s ability to change an agreement depends on its terms and the applicable law. Some agreements allow changes to operational requirements or manuals, but significant contractual changes may require the franchisee’s consent. It’s important to understand the limits of any variation rights before introducing changes across a network.
What happens if a franchisee breaches their franchise agreement?
The consequences depend on the nature of the breach and the agreement’s terms. Options may include requiring the franchisee to remedy the breach, seeking compensation, or terminating the agreement where permitted. Franchisors should also consider the potential impact on the wider network and the risks of taking action without following the correct contractual procedures.
What should I look out for in a franchise agreement?
Key areas include upfront and ongoing fees, territory rights, performance targets, renewal terms, and termination rights. It’s also important to understand what support the franchisor must provide and any restrictions on operating or selling the business. These terms can affect profitability, flexibility, and your ability to exit the franchise.
Can I change the terms of a franchise agreement?
Testimonials
What our clients say
Our clients value straight answers, commercial judgement and lawyers who keep momentum in high-stakes transactions.
We’ve been working with the team for over a year and since day one they've been pragmatic, diligent and above all, committed throughout. They work hard to add value and have been of great benefit to us and our investors.
Goncalo de Vasconcelos
CEO,
Syndicate Room
It's very cost efficient and fast. I have enjoyed talking to everyone in the company as they are not only knowledgeable but can also relate to the situations that I need assistance with. Very happy!
Kerem Sozugecer
Founder & CEO,
LeftBrain Technology
They adopted a proactive approach to overcoming issues, and their knowledge of the sector and investors and preparedness to identify novel solutions has proved extremely beneficial.
Charles Smith
Director,
Interpac Limited
Harper James has been the ideal law firm for Paragraf because of the flexibility that’s built into the extend subscription package. With HJ, I have all the legal expertise and answers I need at the end of an email. We have ambitious plans to fulfil, pushing our product lines overseas and bringing graphene electronics to the masses. There’s no better partner to help us get there than Harper James.
Cathy Cranton
Financial Director,
Paragraf
Over the years Harper James have helped us navigate complex legal issues and red tape, providing distilled options and legal consultancy that far exceeds the service levels we’ve previously experienced from more traditional law firms. The team act like our own in-house counsel so, regardless of which lawyer we work with, we feel supported and that they truly have our best interests at heart.
Michael Edwards
Co-Founder,
Inspire Group
We’ve been working with the team for over a year and since day one they've been pragmatic, diligent and above all, committed throughout. They work hard to add value and have been of great benefit to us and our investors.
Goncalo de Vasconcelos
CEO,
Syndicate Room
It's very cost efficient and fast. I have enjoyed talking to everyone in the company as they are not only knowledgeable but can also relate to the situations that I need assistance with. Very happy!
Kerem Sozugecer
Founder & CEO,
LeftBrain Technology
They adopted a proactive approach to overcoming issues, and their knowledge of the sector and investors and preparedness to identify novel solutions has proved extremely beneficial.
Charles Smith
Director,
Interpac Limited
Harper James has been the ideal law firm for Paragraf because of the flexibility that’s built into the extend subscription package. With HJ, I have all the legal expertise and answers I need at the end of an email. We have ambitious plans to fulfil, pushing our product lines overseas and bringing graphene electronics to the masses. There’s no better partner to help us get there than Harper James.
Cathy Cranton
Financial Director,
Paragraf
Over the years Harper James have helped us navigate complex legal issues and red tape, providing distilled options and legal consultancy that far exceeds the service levels we’ve previously experienced from more traditional law firms. The team act like our own in-house counsel so, regardless of which lawyer we work with, we feel supported and that they truly have our best interests at heart.
Michael Edwards
Co-Founder,
Inspire Group
