London—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.

The deal represents the first stage in an international expansion drive by The Entertainer, which currently operates 84 stores across the UK. Store openings in the Middle East will begin in the UAE, followed by expansion throughout the GCC region.

Babette Märzheuser-Wood, partner in Dentons' Global Franchise Group, said: " We are delighted to have been able to advise on a deal of such high strategic importance to The Entertainer. Dentons' broad capability in the international franchising space, coupled with our in depth knowledge of the global retail sector and our local expertise in the Middle East, ensured we were able to deliver a timely and seamless service."

The Dentons team was led by Babette Märzheuser-Wood in London, a leading franchise specialist who joined the firm last month.

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