Pre-legal advice
Understand your franchise dispute before you spend on legal fees.
When a franchise relationship goes wrong, the first problem is often not knowing where you stand. We read your franchise agreement with you, explain what it says in plain English and set out your realistic options.
What this covers
- A review of your franchise agreement and operations manual, focused on the issue in dispute
- Plain-English explanation of the clauses that matter: fees, territory, support, term, renewal, termination and restrictions after you leave
- An honest view, based on the facts, of whether you have a case or not
- The options open to you, from a letter to your franchisor through to negotiation, mediation or instructing a solicitor
- What to do now, and what not to do, while the dispute is live
Why start here
Many franchise disputes become expensive because one side acts before understanding the agreement: withholding fees, stopping trading or sending an angry email that is later used against them.
Pre-legal advice gives you a clear picture first. If you later need a solicitor, you arrive informed, with the issues already identified, which saves their time.
Common questions we help with
- Is my franchisor in breach of the franchise agreement?
- Can my franchisor terminate my franchise, and what happens if they do?
- Can I stop paying the management service fee or marketing levy?
- Can I sell my franchise or walk away?
- Will the restrictive covenants stop me working in the same trade?
What this is not
We are not solicitors and this is not legal advice from a qualified lawyer. Where your matter needs a solicitor, we will tell you plainly and help you find a franchise specialist.
Questions and answers
Do I need my franchise agreement to get advice?
It helps a great deal. If you cannot find your copy, ask your franchisor for one. We can still discuss your situation in a free initial discussion without it.
How quickly can you look at my agreement?
Tell us about any deadline when you get in touch. If there is a date in a notice from your franchisor, or a court date, we deal with that first.
Call or email Martin today, in confidence
Tell us what has happened. Initial discussions are free and in confidence.