Business Legal Services
Franchise Law
Our franchise solicitors provide a one-stop shop for legal support to help you achieve your ambitions in business.
Whether you’re thinking about franchising your business, own an established franchise network, or you’re contemplating purchasing your first franchise business, you’ll need legal support to protect your business and investment.
Franchising is an increasingly popular means of business expansion by replicating a proven profitable business model. A franchise is an ideal way to start out in business as you are supported by a franchisor. Whether you are a franchisor or a franchisee, getting a robust and fair franchise agreement in place is key to a successful and profitable business relationship.
How we can help
Meeting all your franchise law needs
Our team of franchise solicitors can support you with:
Franchise model advice and options
for business owners looking to franchise their business
Understanding franchise restrictions
such as the implications of any territorial restrictions
Drafting franchise agreements
[and advice on franchise operation manuals, from a legal point of view.]
Franchise document preparation
from franchise and development agreements, non-disclosure agreements, pre-contractual disclosure documents to guarantee and indemnity documents
Advising on franchise agreements
to ensure that you have the legal support you need if you are buying a franchise
Protecting your franchise
through use of intellectual property and registration of trade marks for franchisors to safeguard the business brand
Associated franchise advice
from negotiating a lease on business premises to the preparation of employment contracts for employees to the drafting and negotiation of third party commercial contracts
Existing franchises
advice on the purchase or sale of a franchise
Termination of your franchise agreement
advice on how you can exit from a franchise agreement or on renewing your franchise agreement
Franchise dispute resolution
to resolve franchise disputes between franchisor and franchisee or with a third party
Making informed decisions
Essentials of business franchise law
Selling or purchasing a franchise is all about trust, co-operation and developing a successful and profitable business for both franchisor and franchisee. Getting the right legal support, with a carefully drafted franchise agreement means that you have the legal basis to achieve your franchise goals whether you are an established franchisor, or you are purchasing your first franchise.
Whatever stage you are at in your franchise journey we will work with you to understand your business franchise needs and to help you answer the following questions when preparing or negotiating your franchise documentation to ensure long-term commercial benefit:
- What is the franchise model? Is the franchise territory clearly defined?
- What Intellectual Property is associated with the franchise? Has ownership of the IP been clearly established and protected?
- What is the duration of the franchise agreement? Can the franchise agreement be terminated early? What are the provisions for renewal of the franchise agreement?
- What type of payments will be due to the franchisor under the franchise agreement? How are the payments calculated?
- What level of ongoing support and training will the franchisor provide to the franchisee?
- What restrictions are contained in the franchise agreement? Are the restrictions sufficient to protect the franchisor, the franchisee and the brand?
- What will happen if there is a dispute between the franchisor and the franchisee? What are the proposed means of dispute resolution?
- Can the terms of the franchise agreement be varied by the parties? If so, how?
Who we help
From first time franchisees to established national or international franchise networks
Our franchise solicitors have experience in helping those interested in purchasing their first franchise to successful international franchisors on all matters concerning franchising.
We can help you with all your franchise and commercial law needs whatever your stage in the franchise journey, from setting up the franchise paperwork to franchise your business, helping you buy your first franchise business and dealing with the sale of established franchise network.
Meet our team
Why choose our franchising solicitors?
Our franchising solicitors are specialists, but we are able to provide a holistic legal service so all your business and commercial law 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 achieving resolutions to franchise disputes.
Our franchising team have supported new franchises all the way through to established networks. Find out more about their experience below:
Testimonials
What our clients say
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
Achieving your goals
What are the benefits of franchising?
Expand your business
As a new franchisor, or an established franchisor, the franchise business model provides the opportunity to expand your business without the costs and risks of establishing and staffing a new office or retail unit whilst still safeguarding your brand through the protection of a franchise agreement.
Set up business
If you want to start up in business but you don’t have an entrepreneurial business idea or you want the support of an established successful brand behind you, buying a franchise may be the ideal business solution for you. A successful franchise combines giving the franchisee the tools to run their franchise business whilst also providing you with the support and assistance you need so you don’t go it alone.
Access business credibility
The franchise model gives both the franchisor and the franchisee business credibility. The franchisor achieves expansion and the franchisee buys a ready-made business opportunity with the support of the franchise network and brand.
Create revenue streams and move into new markets
With the right franchise opportunity and the correct licensing of Intellectual Property to your franchisees, a franchisor can create new revenue streams and quickly expand into new territories. For the franchisee, they have the attraction of buying into an established brand and business opportunity whilst being able to create their own business success through the franchise model.
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 £219 per month, with £149 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 36% discount on our Standard Rates.
A full service law firm
Experts in commercial law
In addition to franchising, our team can assist you across all areas of commercial law, including:
Understanding franchise law
Discover our comprehensive resources exploring franchise business advice, covering franchise agreements, buying a franchise and the benefits of franchising overseas.
