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Franchising can be a rewarding experience, but it is a huge step for your business. Importantly, you’ll need to make sure you have the right legal documents in place to undergo the franchising process.
Here’s what you need to know about franchising and the documents you’ll need.
Why Should I Franchise?
There are many advantages to franchising—particularly as it is commonplace for the franchisee to fund and provide capital for the franchise.
Franchising allows businesses to scale and grow, which helps your brand capture more of your market and create goodwill. Customers will become more familiar with your business and brand name!
And, just because you’re leaving your business in the hands of your franchisee, it doesn’t mean that you’ll have no control over the business. While empowering other business owners, you can still ensure and maintain the quality of your products or services.
These are the types of things you’ll need to capture in your Franchise Agreement.
What Do Documents I Need To Franchise?
While there are many advantages to franchising, it’s a big commitment. So, how do you manage the risks?
There are certain legal documents that will need to be put in place when franchising your business. This includes the following:
Franchise Agreement
A Franchise Agreement is the document between the franchisor and franchisee that solidifies the relationship in writing. It allows the franchisee to carry on business in accordance with the processes and marketing strategy decided by the franchisor.
Typical terms in these agreements include marketing fees, royalties, training given to franchisees, performance criteria and other key matters.
Disclosure Document
This is a document that gives prospective franchisees important information about the franchise system. It also gives existing franchisees information about conducting business.
This document will typically have information like pending litigation against the franchisors/directors, contact details of the current franchisees (unless confidential), initial and upkeep costs to operate the franchise, and termination procedures (e.g. options to renew).
Confidentiality and Restraint of Trade Annexure
This is so that franchisors can ensure franchisees do not use the franchisor’s IP, compete with the franchisor in the same market or protect the franchisor’s goodwill.
Deed of Prior Representations
This document will lay out the representations the franchisee was made to believe before entering into the Franchise Agreement. This is particularly useful in places where there are third parties like agents involved, who make representations when recruiting franchisees.
Franchisors can then choose not to enter into the Franchise Agreement if they believe some of the representations may not necessarily materialise—in order to avoid misleading the franchisee.
Talk To A Lawyer
Having a lawyer to prepare your Franchisor Package is extremely useful as they can walk you through all of the basic requirements of a franchise. They can also properly draft any documents to reduce the risk of any misunderstandings and complex disputes.
Taking your business in a direction which is highly regulated can seem daunting, but we’re here to help!
Feel free to get in touch with us at [email protected] or on 08081347754 for more information! We’re available any time for a free, no-obligation consultation.
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