For many businesses around the world, franchising is the most efficient and profitable path to growth. Whether you are a start-up company or a mature business, Dentons understands the franchise industry and its diverse legal needs. As you establish and expand your franchise locally, nationally or globally you need to know that you are getting the best advice. We have extensive experience in all aspects of franchising and related distribution models across a broad spectrum of industry sectors, including: restaurant, fitness, retail, services, hospitality, entertainment, healthcare, education and technology, and automotive.

Regardless of industry sector, all companies involved in franchising face the same concerns over risk management, partner selection, enforcement of quality standards, and legal and regulatory compliance. As they expand nationally or globally, clients can leverage our extensive experience in all aspects of franchising to mitigate these risks and access our strategic advice.

With nine partners recognized globally as leaders in the field of franchising, Dentons Franchise Group advises on the full range of legal issues:

• Master Franchise and Area Development Agreements
• Unit Franchising
• Franchise Disclosure and Registration
• Franchise Disputes
• Withholding Taxes and reverse charges of VAT and sales tax
• Franchise Dispute Resolution
• Customer Data Management and Loyalty Schemes
• Anti-Trust and Competition Law compliance
• Regulatory compliance including Anti-Bribery, FCPA, Sanctions
• Litigation and alternative dispute resolution techniques

In order to take full advantage of the potential that franchising offers, a carefully planned approach is required. The Dentons Franchise Group offers high-level strategic advice to new franchisors as well as ongoing support to franchise clients that are considering an expansion into new markets. Determining the best financial model is crucial. Our expertise based on working with more than 100 different franchise systems in over 50 countries will help you devise the structure that works best for your business.

Dentons clients enjoy access to our extensive international network of franchising experts, across Europe, North America, Africa, Asia and the Middle East, which allows our teams to offer seamless round-the-world services. In the last 12 months we have advised clients on franchise deals in more than 30 countries, including in Kenya, Sudan, South Africa, Dubai, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, the Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Russia, China, Canada, the United States, Pakistan, and countries throughout Europe.

A number of our lawyers hold leadership positions in franchising organizations, such as the American Bar Association Forum on Franchising and the International Franchise Association. We offer clients the unique balance of deep local knowledge of practices in the United Kingdom, in the context of an understanding of franchising developments and best practice worldwide.

Recognition

Dentons Recognized as a Global Market Leader in Artificial Intelligence by Chambers Global Guide 2025

February 14, 2025

Dentons has been ranked as a Global Market Leader in the inaugural Artificial Intelligence ranking of the Chambers Global Guide 2025. This recognition affirms the firm’s position at the forefront of AI law, showcasing its ability to address the complexities and evolving challenges in this rapidly advancing field.

Who’s Who Legal 2023 selected Attorneys Kurt Gerstner and Tim Trinka as leading lawyers for two sectors

November 28, 2023

Attorneys Kurt Gerstner and Tim Trinka have been selected as leaders in their field by Who’s Who Legal in its 2023 Guide, globally and for Korea in two sectors - Product Liability Defence and Franchising.

Dentons advises on the acquisition of Cardies by Card Factory

May 5, 2023

Global law firm Dentons assisted Card Factory, the UK's leading specialist retailer of greeting cards, gifts and celebration essentials, with the acquisition of the entire issued share capital of SA Greetings Corporation (Pty) Ltd and its subsidiaries, which trade as SA Greetings.

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Insights

The Fitness Franchise Boom: Why Now is the time to expand

April 14, 2025

Global: This opening article offers a high-level look at the booming fitness franchise landscape and introduces the critical issues that future pieces in this series will examine in detail.

Legal professional privilege in cybersecurity incident reports – mere ‘incantations’ are not sufficient

April 13, 2025

Australia: A recent Federal Court decision in the Medibank data breach class action highlights the limits of legal professional privilege in respect of third party reports prepared in connection with a cybersecurity incident. 

Selling a branded hotel

March 25, 2025

Europe: In this article we consider how hotel owners can best protect themselves against unforeseen roadblocks impacting the sale.

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News and Events

Recent Press Releases

Dentons Recognized as a Global Market Leader in Artificial Intelligence by Chambers Global Guide 2025

February 14, 2025

Dentons has been ranked as a Global Market Leader in the inaugural Artificial Intelligence ranking of the Chambers Global Guide 2025. This recognition affirms the firm’s position at the forefront of AI law, showcasing its ability to address the complexities and evolving challenges in this rapidly advancing field.

Dentons achieves over 600 rankings in Chambers Global 2025

February 14, 2025

Chambers and Partners has awarded Dentons 607 quality rankings globally in the latest edition of its Global guide, including 136 new or improved rankings this year.

Dentons advises INVENIO Partners on its strategic investment in Romanian coffee shop chain 5 to go

December 20, 2024

Global law firm Dentons has advised private equity firm INVENIO Partners on its investment, together with its co-investor Accession Capital Partners, in a majority stake in 5 to go, the largest coffee shop chain in Eastern Europe and a leader in Romania’s franchise market.

View all press releases for Franchising and Distribution