Experts in Franchising and Distribution
Our lawyers are experts in franchising and commercial distribution,
in digital and in brick and mortar models, at national and international level
Distribution agreements (with exclusive and non-exclusive rights), commercial agency contracts, franchise networks, digital platforms…, the approach to distribution and commercial expansion may be different and diverse and each case, project or business initiative is unique and requires specialized and customized advice.
We advise our clients from the start and with a comprehensive approach, evaluating the most appropriate legal and tax structure, negotiating and preparing contracts, advising on how to prevent or resolve conflicts with their business partners, on their international expansion, with the sale and purchase of franchise networks or with any digital distribution platforms. Thanks to our extensive experience with clients in the areas of franchising and distribution, both online and offline, we are familiar with the most common challenges and we can offer our clients effective solutions and anticipation.
LEGAL EXPERIENCE
We have been providing legal advice and support to companies, individuals and institutions in franchising and distribution for more than 78 years. We apply our extensive legal experience to all our cases.
MULTIDISCIPLINARY
Over all these years, we have handled hundreds of cases in many sectors and areas of law. We have a highly qualified multidisciplinary team of lawyers.
PERSONALIZED
We work alongside our clients allowing them a direct line to the lawyers who handle their affairs and provide a personalized approach to each case.
PROFESSIONAL LEGAL ADVICE IN FRANCHISING
AND COMMERCIAL DISTRIBUTION
In franchising, we have advised clients in the planning and development of franchise networks, both for products and services, with offline and online components, in the protection of trademarks and know-how, in the drafting of franchise and master-franchise agreements, the disclosure documents, the operating manuals, in adapting the franchise system to different jurisdictions, the international expansion and the negotiation with new master franchisees, the resolution of conflicts between franchisor and franchisees and the acquisition of existing franchisees, local and international.
In other areas of distribution, we have advised clients in the negotiation and drafting of distribution agreements and licenses, commercial agency contracts, both for products distributed in digital and physical format, compliance with antitrust regulations, the resolution of conflicts for breach of contract and in conflicts for unfair competition as well as in the negotiation of indemnifications for termination of the agreements.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Legal and tax advice for the launch and development of franchise networks, both local and international
Legal assistance for the development of franchise models combining traditional and digital aspects
Legal assistance for the preparation of the disclosure information
Preparation of franchise and master franchise agreements
Protection of trademarks and know-how
Legal review of the operating manuals
International expansion of a franchise network, adapting the system to different jurisdictions and negotiation with new master franchisees
Buy-back of local and international franchisees
Purchase of existing franchise outlets in various countries
Resolution of conflicts between franchisor and franchisees
Resolution of conflicts between franchisor and employees of franchisees
Negotiation and preparation of distribution agreements and licenses, digital and non-digital
Commercial agency contracts
Compliance with antitrust regulations
Resolution of conflicts for breach of contract
Negotiation of indemnification for contractual termination
DIGITALIZATION
Advising on the implementation of a digital platform by the franchisor so that franchisees’ clients can access certain content and services centrally, advising on all aspects related to the terms and conditions, protection of personal data, use of the data by the franchisor and the economic contribution of the franchisees to the services provided centrally.
INTERNATIONALIZATION
Advising on the expansion of a franchise network internationally, drafting the master franchise agreement template, adapting the template to the regulations and needs of each country by verifying the franchising regulations in each jurisdiction, the registration obligations and the disclosure information required, and assisting the franchisor in negotiating with candidates to master franchisee.
FRANCHISEE BUYBACK
Advising a franchisor in the acquisition of franchise outlets from its own franchise network, performing the legal, tax and labor due diligence, assisting in the negotiation of the purchase terms and preparing the purchase and sale agreements.
ACQUIRING FRANCHISES AND MASTER FRANCHISES
Advising on the acquisition of franchise and master franchise rights, assisting in the negotiation of the purchase terms and franchise rights and in the execution of purchase agreements.
NEGOTIATION AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION
Negotiation and legal defense of franchisees and franchisors, commercial agents and distributors, to help resolve commercial conflicts, either at national or international level.
