About Us

Fieldfisher is consistently ranked by Chambers & Partners and the Legal500 as the top franchise practice in the UK. It is a full-service European law firm with a truly global reach.

In a variety of industries, including retail and fashion, food and beverage, hotel and leisure, education, healthcare, and service-based concepts, we provide advice to small, medium, and large businesses. We can assist you whether you’re considering franchising domestically or abroad. As a member of your team, it is our responsibility to help you expand your company.

We are aware that every business is different and that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Colleagues in other legal practice areas who have all had ‘hands-on’ experience with franchising support our core franchising team across the entire firm.

Our trademark registration and protection services are among the best in the industry, and our franchise disputes team offers advice on dispute prevention and resolution to UK and international franchisors, master franchisees, developers, and franchisee groups.

Key Services

• Recommending whether a company is suitable for franchising
• Strategic counsel and risk analysis
• Preparing the franchise agreements and related business contracts
• Advice on brand protection and trade mark registration
• IP tax strategy
• Updating or revising franchise documentation to fit the business purpose
• UK and international rollout programmes and contract management services
• Providing guidance on preventing disputes, resolving them (in favour of or against franchisee group actions), and taking enforcement action
• Support from in-house counsel
• Acting as expert witnesses on franchise law and practice and offering legal opinions
• Advice on advertising and marketing, including social media and online campaigns
• Advice on alternative or complementary expansion strategies, such as e-commerce, concession arrangements, wholesale, agency, distribution, and licencing
• Planning your exit and trade sales