For many businesses, franchising is the most efficient and profitable path to growth, particularly in the Middle East where many foreign brands use franchising as their preferred route to market.

As a leading global law firm, Dentons has a team of dedicated practitioners in the Middle East, many of whom hold leadership positions in franchising and antitrust organizations, such as the International Franchise Association, and are recognized by the Who's Who legal directory as leading lawyers in franchise law.

Our lawyers understand all aspects of franchising and the specific challenges you may face when engaging in franchise projects in the region, such as agency laws, quality control and risk management. You can rely on us to leverage our extensive experience and strategic advice in all aspects of franchise law across a broad spectrum of industry sectors, including restaurant, fitness, retail, hospitality, education, healthcare and automotive. We will partner with you as you expand in the Middle East and globally, and will help you mitigate any risks you may encounter.

With more than 110 lawyers across the region, you can access our unrivalled network of offices and associated offices in Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia  and the UAE. These local lawyers, many of whom are bilingual Arabic and English speakers, work with our globally-acknowledged franchising experts to assist you on any unique challenges such as:

• Commercial agency laws
• IP protection
• The new local competition legislation
• Import/export
• Tax structuring
• Due diligence on local partners
• Negotiation of Franchise Agreements
• Dispute resolution

As our client, you will benefit from our deep local knowledge and strategic advice coupled with our vast global network, giving you a fulsome  understanding of franchising developments worldwide on various matters, including franchise and distribution formation and structuring, regulatory compliance, real estate, supply chain management, franchise relations, employment, tax, licensing, product marketing and sales, and customer data management.

Insights

Hotel franchise in the Middle East: navigating the shift

September 26, 2024

Middle East: Raising a flag over a Middle East hotel was for many years achieved largely by a hotel management agreement (HMA). This assisted owners (then unfamiliar with the ins and outs of operating international brand hotels) to quickly establish their properties and gave the brands access to a new, exotic and growing market without compromising on brand standards.

New Saudi Arabian franchise law: some high-level considerations on franchising in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

April 27, 2022

Saudi Arabia: With the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia introducing the new Franchise Law in 2020, expanding your brand in the jurisdiction through licensing or franchising may come with certain complexities. While the new legal regime in the KSA and the associated difficulties can seem discouraging, considering franchising on the Saudi market is definitely worth an in-depth analysis.

The impact of the coronavirus crisis on the franchise industry and what franchisors and franchisees can do to survive

March 31, 2020

Economic predictions suggest that the coronavirus crisis will cause a significant global recession.

News and Events

Recent Press Releases

Dentons opens the Global Restaurant Investment Forum with franchise masterclass

March 31, 2016

Dentons returned as a lead supporter and participant at the annual Global Restaurant Investment Forum (GRIF) held in Dubai recently. Now in its third year, GRIF brings together key stakeholders in the restaurant investment community to share best practice and innovation as well as address current issues facing the sector.

Dentons hosts Masterclass for rapidly growing Franchising sector

June 26, 2014

Dentons recently hosted an international Masterclass for local investors and global brands active in the franchising sector in the Middle East, a sector whose annual growth rate exceeds 25%.

Dentons advises The Entertainer on Middle East expansion

October 3, 2013

Dentons has advised The Entertainer, the UK's largest independent toy shop, on the signing of a 45-store franchise deal for the Middle East with Dubai-based retail group Al Owais Enterprises.