Franchise Lawyers for Franchisors & Franchisees
Strategic legal advice & Franchising Code compliance for franchisors & franchisees across Australia.
- Clear corporate structuring to safely establish & scale your network
- Watertight franchise agreement & disclosure drafting to secure your commercial position
- Targeted trade mark registrations to protect your core intellectual property
- Practical dispute resolution & mediation to minimise network disruption
Our Franchising Services
As specialist franchise lawyers, we provide strategic legal advice to help both the franchisor & franchisee establish, protect & scale their operations. Our comprehensive legal services cover every stage of the franchise lifecycle, including:
01. Franchise Structuring & Establishment
We design robust corporate entities & asset protection controls to safely scale your new franchise system, including:
- Advising on the optimal corporate structure to separate your core intellectual property from operational risks;
- Structuring master franchise & area development models for national or international expansion; and
- Drafting shareholder & joint venture agreements to govern the underlying business.
02. Franchise Agreements & Disclosure Documents
We draft & review the mandatory disclosure material & binding contracts to secure your commercial position before launch, including:
- Drafting a watertight franchise agreement that clearly defines territory rights, fees & operational standards;
- Preparing your disclosure document & key facts sheet to meet strict regulatory requirements; and
- Reviewing the franchise documentation for prospective franchisees to identify hidden risks before signing.
03. Franchising Code Compliance
We audit your operational manuals & marketing funds to ensure strict compliance with the franchising code of conduct, including:
- Advising on your ongoing obligations under the franchising code to prevent ACCC penalties;
- Structuring compliant marketing fund reporting & annual disclosure updates; and
- Implementing internal controls to manage franchisee communications & mandatory cooling-off periods.
04. Franchise Acquisitions & Sales
We execute sale contracts & secure head office approvals to successfully transfer an operational franchised business, including:
- Negotiating the business sale agreement to protect your interests during the transaction;
- Managing the due diligence process for buyers acquiring an existing franchise or greenfield site; and
- Coordinating the assignment of the franchise agreement & related commercial leases.
05. Intellectual Property & Trade Marks
We file your trade mark registrations & enforce your rights to stop competitors from copying your proven business model, including:
- Conducting clearance searches & registering your core brand assets in Australia & overseas;
- Drafting licensing provisions to control how a franchisee uses your intellectual property; and
- Taking legal action to stop unauthorised use of your trade mark or confidential operations manuals.
06. Commercial Leasing & Property
We negotiate the premises lease & step-in deeds to align your site tenure with the franchise agreement, including:
- Reviewing retail & commercial leases to flag aggressive rent reviews, outgoings & make-good clauses;
- Drafting step-in deeds that allow the franchisor to take over the site if the franchisee defaults; and
- Advising on lease renewals & assignments to ensure uninterrupted trading for the franchised business.
07. Franchise Dispute Resolution
We manage mediation & commercial litigation to resolve alleged breaches of the franchise without destroying the underlying relationship, including:
- Issuing or responding to formal breach notices regarding unpaid fees or operational failures;
- Representing you in mandatory dispute resolution & mediation to reach a commercial settlement; and
- Running litigation to enforce post-termination restraints or defend against misleading conduct claims.
Who We Act For
GRM LAW’s franchise lawyers understand how franchise networks are established, scaled & protected – and act as long-term counsel to the full spectrum of the franchising sector, including:
Start-Up Franchisors
Structure your operations & secure your core intellectual property before expanding a successful single-site business into a national network.
Established National Franchisors
Update your disclosure document & manage network-wide dispute resolution to keep your nationwide footprint operating smoothly.
International Franchisors
Adapt your global franchise agreement to the strict local franchising code of conduct before launching your overseas brand in the Australian market.
Prospective Franchisees
Evaluate the risks of a greenfield site or existing operation & review the mandatory disclosure material before signing a binding agreement.
Existing Franchisees
Protect your commercial interests when managing lease renewals, business structuring & alleged breaches of the franchise with your head office.
Master Franchisees
Balance your dual roles as both franchisor & franchisee when holding exclusive rights to develop a brand across a specific territory.
Franchise Buyers & Sellers
Manage the acquisition, assign commercial leases & secure the necessary franchisor approvals to successfully transfer an operational site.
Franchise Syndicates & Investors
Establish robust corporate structures & navigate the specific rights & obligations tied to acquiring a large-scale multi-unit portfolio.
Speak With Our Franchise Lawyers
Our franchising lawyers will contact you to discuss your situation & outline next steps.
What Our Clients Say
How The Process Works
01.
Initial Strategic Consultation
We assess your commercial objectives & current position to map a clear legal strategy for your franchise system.
02.
Due Diligence & Compliance Review
We audit your business model & intellectual property to surface risks & ensure compliance with the franchising code.
03.
Document Preparation & Negotiation
We draft & negotiate your franchise agreement & disclosure documents to lock in your commercial position.
04.
Execution & Settlement
We oversee the final settlement conditions so you can officially launch or acquire the franchised business.
05.
Ongoing Franchise Support
We act as your ongoing legal partner to manage network growth, handle renewals & navigate dispute resolution.
Speak With Our Franchise Lawyers
Our franchising lawyers will contact you to discuss your situation & outline next steps.
Why Choose GRM LAW
01. National Commercial Expertise
Brisbane-based franchise lawyers leverage deep industry experience across Australia to protect your growing network.
02. End To End Lifecycle Support
From initial structuring to final sale, expert legal advice secures your franchise system at every growth stage.
03. Deep Regulatory Knowledge
Strict compliance with the franchising code of conduct mitigates costly ACCC penalties & keeps your operations secure.
04. Commercially Focused Advice
Practical dispute resolution & commercial litigation strategies resolve alleged breaches without destroying your valuable franchise relationship.
Meet Gavin McInnes
Gavin McInnes is the founder of GRM LAW & a dedicated franchise lawyer who regularly advises franchisors & franchisees on network establishments, acquisitions & dispute resolution. He brings decades of commercial experience to help clients safely scale their franchise system or acquire an existing site.
- Accredited Specialist in Business Law with nearly 20 years of experience advising national brands & private companies
- Led the acquisition of over 130 veterinary practices for a major national network during a five-year industry roll-up
- Author of Protect Your Assets, providing deep expertise in corporate structuring & asset protection
When Gavin drafts or reviews your franchise agreement & disclosure documents, you get commercially focused legal advice that protects your assets & secures your position.
Representative Franchising Experience
We advise franchisors, franchisees and master franchisees on establishing, scaling & restructuring franchise networks across Australia & New Zealand, including:
Bailey Nelson
Successful advised & facilitated franchising arrangements across Australia & New Zealand.
Medpods Medical Centres
Successfully advised & facilitated the establishment of the master franchise structure for Medpods Medical Centres.
LensPro Australia
Successfully advised & facilitated the establishment a master franchise framework & completing a management buyout for LensPro Australia.
Laser Clinics Australia
Successfully advised on franchise arrangements & related legal issues for Laser Clinics Australia.
Recognition & Awards
Key Legal Issues In Franchising
The Franchising Code
The Franchising Code of Conduct dictates the mandatory rules for every franchise system in Australia. This strict regulatory framework governs the relationship between franchisor & franchisee.
The ACCC actively enforces these rules & issues heavy penalties for non-compliance. Our franchise lawyers advise on strict code compliance to protect your commercial interests.
Disclosure Documents
A disclosure document provides critical financial & operational details about a franchise network. Prospective franchisees use this information to evaluate the health of the business before signing a franchise agreement.
Franchisors must update this document annually to remain compliant. Specialist legal advice ensures your disclosure materials are accurate & legally binding.
Intellectual Property Protection
A successful franchise system relies entirely on the strength of its brand. Securing a registered trade mark is the foundational step before licensing your business model to third parties.
Failing to protect your intellectual property leaves your network vulnerable to competitors. We help franchisors register trade marks & secure valuable brand assets across Australia.
Leasing Vs Franchising
Commercial property leases often run parallel to franchise agreements. Aligning the terms of both contracts is vital for operational security.
A breach in your lease can trigger a default under your franchise agreement. Our legal team negotiates aligned lease terms to prevent costly disruptions to your business.
Speak With Our Franchise Lawyers
Our franchising lawyers will contact you to discuss your situation & outline next steps.
Legal & Compliance Insights
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Commonwealth Franchising Code Of Conduct?
The franchising code of conduct is a mandatory regulatory framework governing all Australian franchise arrangements. Strict compliance with the franchising code is generally required to avoid severe ACCC penalties.
Does GRM LAW Act For Both Franchisors And Franchisees?
Yes, GRM LAW regularly advises both franchisor & franchisee clients across Australia. This dual perspective generally provides a strategic advantage during negotiations & dispute resolution.
What Is Included In A Franchise Disclosure Document?
A disclosure document contains critical details about the franchise system & its financial estimates. Prospective franchisees typically review this document to evaluate network history & existing franchisee details.
How Does GRM LAW Charge For Franchise Legal Reviews And Agreements?
We provide clear scopes & transparent pricing upfront before work begins. This approach helps clients understand the costs of their franchise documentation & legal services.
Can I Sell My Existing Franchised Business?
Yes, an existing franchised business can generally be sold to a new buyer. The process typically requires formal franchisor approval & the assignment of commercial leases.
What Is The Process For Having GRM LAW Review A Franchise Agreement?
The process begins with a thorough due diligence review of the proposed franchise agreement. Clients then receive commercially focused legal advice on the contract terms before signing.
How Do We Resolve A Dispute With Our Franchisor Or Franchisee?
Parties typically follow the mandatory dispute resolution & mediation processes outlined in the code. A franchise lawyer can provide strategic representation to help resolve alleged breaches smoothly.
Can GRM LAW Help Us Expand Our Franchise Network Nationally?
Yes, GRM LAW supports franchisors across Australia with end-to-end lifecycle services. This includes initial corporate structuring, intellectual property protection & ongoing compliance with the franchising code.
How Do We Protect Our Intellectual Property As A Franchisor?
Franchisors generally protect their brand identity by securing formal trade mark registrations. It is advisable to register these core assets before allowing franchisees to operate under the name.
Who Will Be Handling My Franchise Matter At GRM LAW?
Matters are guided by highly experienced commercial lawyers with deep regulatory knowledge. The team is led by founder & Accredited Specialist in Business Law, Gavin McInnes.
Books By Gavin McInnes
Practical guides on structuring, asset protection and private credit in Australia.
Protect Your Assets
A plain‑English guide to protecting your home, business interests and investments under Australian law. Written for business owners, professionals and families who want to keep what they’ve built safe from avoidable risk.
Private Credit In Australia (Coming Soon)
A forthcoming guide to structuring, documenting and managing private credit transactions in the Australian market, written for lenders, sponsors and their advisers.
Explore Our Other Practice Areas
Deep expertise across corporate, banking & finance, property and related commercial work.
Private Lenders & Non‑Bank Finance
Strategic loan, security & enforcement advice for private credit funds, family offices & non‑bank lenders across Australia.
Property Developers & Projects
End‑to‑end legal support for property developers from site acquisition & approvals through to construction, sales, leasing & disputes.
Business Acquisitions & Disposals
Buy‑side & sell‑side advice on business and share sales, from initial structuring and due diligence through to completion.
Corporate & Commercial Advisory
Ongoing corporate, governance & commercial contracts advice for private companies, family businesses & investors.
Structuring & Asset Protection
Structuring businesses, investments & personal wealth to manage risk, protect assets and support long‑term succession.
Franchising
Establishing, growing & restructuring franchise networks, including franchise agreements, disclosure, compliance & exits.
IP & Technology
Protecting and commercialising intellectual property, software & technology through tailored licensing, development & sale agreements.
Real Estate Funds & Capital Raising
Advising real estate fund managers, sponsors & investors on fund structures, capital raisings & transaction execution across Australia.
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