Home
Questions
If a franchise agreement is non-negotiable, why do I need a lawyer to review the document?

Q.

If a franchise agreement is non-negotiable, why do I need a lawyer to review the document?

Author: John Pratt

answered by John Pratt

Senior Partner at Hamilton Pratt

Franchisors generally say their franchise agreement is non-negotiable. There are a number of reasons for that.

First, they have spent a great deal of money having the agreement prepared and do not want to spend more money negotiating its terms with each franchisee.

Further, it would be an administrative nightmare if every franchisee was on different terms, which would cause consternation within the network when franchisees found out others had negotiated better terms than them.

Having said that, certainly in the early stage of a franchise network, it may be that franchisors are flexible and if your lawyer points out clauses that do not work, your prospective franchisor is likely to want to amend its franchise agreement.

The real reason why you need a report from an expert franchise lawyer is that you need to know if the agreement you are being asked to sign is unusual, unfair or unworkable. Franchise reports can be obtained for as little as £400 and in view of the size of most franchisee’s financial commitment and commitment in time and energy, is a small price to pay for peace of mind.

John Pratt is senior partner at specialist franchise firm Hamilton Pratt and has advised franchisors for over 25 years.

Elite Property Franchise

Start your own Lettings Business The franchise is aimed at taking the daily stress and workload away from the...

Transworld Business Advisors

Transworld Business Advisors helps company owners source, vet and connect with the right buyer for their business

The UK’s largest property franchise group, handling both lettings and estate agent sales

Property Inventories

Management Franchise. Property Inventories. “Property Inventories is the UK’s largest inventory company...

Letting and sales agent with flexible franchise model combining online and traditional sales

Platinum Property Partners

Platinum Property Partners is the world’s first property investment franchise, and is based on a lucrative...

Comaskey was born when Ian Comaskey sold his first property in La Zenia by accident way back in 2002. Since then we...

Living Room Letting Agency...

The letting agency that is different from the rest The Living Room Franchise. Our unique selling point is our award...

HomeXperts Exceptional Estate & Letting Agents An exciting established property franchise, enabling you to start an...

No Letting Go provides a variety of property management services, including landlord inventory, tenant inventory and...

Approved Serviced Apartments

Approved Serviced Apartments converts and manages a portfolio of a variety of types of quality properties for short-...

Want to be your own boss? Start today!

Relooking

Relooking is a beauty franchise, offering a variety of skin care and anti-aging treatments... find out more
- Retail
£18,000 Minimum Investment

Relooking From £18,000
Sweets and Treats Vending

Sweets and Treats Vending is a confectionery distribution franchise company... find out more
- Work From Home
£9,950 Minimum Investment

Sweets and Treats Vending From £9,950
SuperGreen Solutions

SuperGreen Solutions is an advisor, supplier, and installer of energy-efficient solutions to… find out more
£178,000 Minimum Investment

SuperGreen Solutions From £178,000
Wikane

Wikane is a business development franchise, specialising in working with SMEs to help them… find out more
£38,000 Minimum Investment

Wikane From £38,000

You have pending

More from our business portfolio