Introduction
This website has been provided by EXB Legal , specialist franchise solicitors, to give guidance to potential franchisees before they sign up to a franchise agreement.  Franchising can be an excellent way to run your own business with the systems and support of a franchisor.  However, you should be clear on your legal obligations to the franchisor and be as certain as you can that the business and franchise are right for you.

Legal Advice
Before you sign any franchise agreement, we strongly recommend that you get advice from a franchise specialist law firm such as EXB Legal .  Most franchise lawyers will advise you by preparing a detailed written report on the franchise agreement that you are being asked to sign.  The report should point out the risks on the agreement, explain the meaning of each clause, and highlight any unusual or particularly unfavourable parts of the agreement.  Any report should be tailored to your circumstances and should take into account whether you will be entering the franchise as a sole trader, partnership or limited company.  Since franchise agreements are usually non-negotiable, the report is usually all the legal work that you will need.  However, you are recommended to raise with the franchisor any issues, from the report or otherwise, that concern you and if the franchisor is willing to negotiate, you may wish to ask for further legal advice from your franchise lawyer in relation to the negotiation or any related redrafting of the agreement or any side-letters.

Other investigation
The report from EXB Legal or other franchise specialist lawyer is one part of your assessment process before you take the decision to proceed with becoming a franchisee.  Please see the Assessment and Investigation sections of this website for some guidance on other investigations that you should be doing.