Commercial, Tech & Data

Franchising

Expert franchise legal advice and support.

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Specialist franchise lawyers

Franchising is a powerful tool for any business with ambitions to grow. A successful franchising model can unlock the hidden value in a franchisor’s brand and know-how developed over many years and pair it with a franchisee’s enthusiasm and knowledge of a specific market or audience.

With an established brand, an intelligent operating model and a marketable product or service, franchising can succeed in multiple sectors and markets – but only if you have the right legal framework and advice.

Our services

Our franchise team provides support in:

  • Advising on the advantages and disadvantages of franchising as a route to market.
  • Drafting franchise agreements and associated documents for franchisors, including confidentiality agreements, intent to proceed agreements and deposit agreements.
  • Reviewing franchise agreements and related documentation for franchisors to ensure they align with current franchise law. We can draft new franchise agreements from scratch or update existing ones to ensure they remain fit for purpose.
  • Advising franchisors on international expansion and structuring franchise businesses to ensure regulatory compliance across multiple jurisdictions.
  • Advising franchisees on their franchise arrangements, both in the UK and overseas, in particular large multi-unit franchisees in the retail, travel and F&B sectors.
  • Advising clients on franchising and licensing within the hotel sector (including hotel management agreements).
  • Providing strategic advice to franchise clients on the ownership, protection, management and exploitation of intellectual property rights.
  • Bringing or defending clients in franchise disputes.
  • Resolving franchise disputes through alternative dispute resolution. Our advice includes guiding both franchisors and franchisees through effective resolution strategies.

Related services

Related services

Commercial, Tech & Data

Foot Anstey takes a global and holistic approach to anti-counterfeiting using all the tools available to tackle the problem in the most efficient way.

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Dispute Resolution

Disputes are an inevitable part of any business, introducing unwanted risk and high stress.

They also create a distraction that takes you away from what you do best and where you need to be.  Let us help your business get the results it needs.

More about our dispute resolution law services

Employment

Having the right people in the right place, displaying the right behaviours through the right processes can be just as hard as it sounds.

Our experienced team of experts are able to provide you with timely, commercial advice for day-to-day advice to project support.

More about our employment law services

Intellectual Property

For businesses that design and manufacture products either for themselves or others, they should seriously consider obtaining registered design protection for their products.

More about our intellectual property law services

Risk Advisory & Regulatory

Risks can impact the delivery of your strategy, but can also provide market opportunities and competitive advantage.

Our experts help you look at your risk management holistically to drive operational consistency and prevent risk.

More about our risk advisory law services

Why choose Foot Anstey?

Our franchise lawyers have significant experience supporting both franchisors and franchisees. We provide comprehensive legal advice to help franchise businesses navigate regulatory challenges and establish strong franchise agreements.

With our deep expertise in franchise law, we can advise on the advantages and disadvantages of franchising as a route to market. Our specialist sector expertise ensures that we provide practical and relevant legal support tailored to your industry and sector. Our clients include both franchisors and franchisees, ranging from start-ups to large international businesses.

We also work alongside franchising consultants, allowing us to provide a full service that facilitates and supports your journey in setting up a franchise business. Our franchise experts coordinate further legal advice as needed, including in relation to employment, data protection and commercial property matters.

Recent experience

Food and beverage sector

We recently advised a global operator of food and beverage outlets in the travel sector on a significant franchising project in respect of multiple units to be opened and operated at airports in Saudi Arabia. This involved negotiating with more than 10 different franchisors, including a number of well-known international brands and smaller local brands.

Development agreements

We regularly advise clients on franchising development agreements. Recently, we have advised an international fast food chain on various development agreements with franchisees in Western Europe.

International QSR chain

We currently advise a global international QSR brand on its day-to-day franchise arrangements. This has included providing a secondee to assist in updating the client’s international franchise documentation across the EU and ensuring that all procedures were followed.

Transfer of franchise estate

We were engaged by an international restaurant chain to advise on the transfer of multiple restaurants to a new franchisee following a pre-packed administration process involving the previous franchisee.

Hotel franchise

We recently advised an overseas investment firm on its acquisition of a 4 star hotel in London. This included advising on the franchise agreement with the brand under which the hotel is now operated.

Retail franchise

We acted on behalf of the buyer for the buyout of a franchise business in the retail sector, which included the negotiated termination of a franchise agreement by mutual consent.

Advising franchisees

We advise franchisees on the interpretation of restrictive covenants within their franchise agreement.

Retailer dispute resolution

We successfully resolved a dispute between a client and a large international franchisor over the terms of their franchise agreement and how to terminate it.

Our people

Our franchise lawyers have extensive experience in assisting clients in delivering their franchising models. We have advised numerous franchise businesses over the years, helping them draft and refine their franchise agreements. Our experience spans a variety of industries, including retail, F&B, hospitality and travel.

With a strong understanding of franchise law, we ensure that franchise businesses receive the right advice and legal framework for success.

Meet our team

Key contacts

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What do our clients say?

“Sam Elworthy is exceptional; a great commercial lawyer who is technically excellent but also a problem solver who is very pragmatic and a pleasure to deal with. In particular, an expert in franchising. He quickly builds an understanding of what matters to you and the business.”

Legal 500 2025

“Sam Elworthy is not afraid to give his opinion when asked for it. Sam is extremely quick in response to queries and has the ability to quickly identify the more important issues. In complex matters he is prepared to give a sense of the key issues and advise up front, before he provides a longer considered response. This is very helpful in the commercial world where decisions need to be made quickly.”

Legal 500 2025

“(Foot Anstey) are prompt and professional with their responses, and the team is plain speaking and frank about possible legal outcomes.”

Legal 500 2024

“(Foot Anstey) are extremely approachable and relate well to all levels, from individuals to large SMEs with regards to their extensive franchise services and knowledge.”

Legal 500 2024

“The team has continued to be highly responsive to all projects and requests. They fully understand the specific demands and protocols of franchising and therefore the advice and guidance provided has consistently proved to have been highly effective and reliable. Foot Anstey remains our preferred legal partner because the standard of service is first class.”

Legal 500 2022

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