Franchising Lawyers
Franchise Law
Buying a franchise or looking to expand your business through franchising? At Rise Legal, we help franchisors and franchisees across Australia understand their legal obligations, protect their commercial interests and make informed business decisions, with practical legal advice and fixed fees agreed upfront.
Franchising offers opportunities for business growth, but it also involves important legal commitments. From Franchise Agreements and Disclosure Documents to ongoing fees, territory rights, renewal provisions, personal guarantees and restraints of trade, it’s important to understand what you’re agreeing to before signing.
Our franchise lawyers assist prospective franchisees with reviewing franchise documents and identifying potential risks. We also work with franchisors to prepare, review and update their franchise documentation, including agreements and disclosure documents, in accordance with the Australian Franchising Code of Conduct.
With offices in Perth, Sydney and on the Gold Coast, we assist franchisors and franchisees Australia-wide.
What Can Our Franchise Lawyers Do For Franchisors?
We can assist new and existing Franchisors with the legalities and processes they must comply with so they can either set up or simply get on and run their franchise.
- ZPreparing Franchise Agreements and Disclosure Documents
- ZCompliance with the Code
- ZBusiness structuring advice
- ZCommercial Leasing
- ZProtection of your intellectual property
- ZFranchise Agreement Renewals
- ZFranchise Agreement Variations
- ZFranchise Agreement Transfers
- ZAnnual Compliance updates
Buying a franchise or planning to expand your business through franchising? At Rise Legal, we assist franchisors and franchisees with practical legal advice, clear guidance and fixed fees agreed upfront.
Franchising involves significant legal and financial commitments. From Franchise Agreements and Disclosure Documents to ongoing fees, territory rights, renewal provisions, personal guarantees and restraints of trade, understanding your obligations before signing is essential.
Our franchise lawyers help prospective franchisees review franchise documents and identify potential risks. We also assist franchisors with establishing franchise systems, preparing legal documentation and meeting their obligations under the Australian Franchising Code of Conduct.
With offices in Perth, Sydney and on the Gold Coast, we assist franchisors and franchisees across Australia.
Franchise Lawyers for Franchisors
Thinking about franchising your business or reviewing an existing franchise system? Rise Legal helps Australian franchisors establish, maintain and develop their franchise networks with commercially focused legal support.
Our franchisor legal services include:
- Preparing and reviewing Franchise Agreements.
- Preparing and updating Franchise Disclosure Documents.
- Advising on obligations under the current Franchising Code of Conduct.
- Assisting with franchise renewals, extensions, transfers and variations.
- Reviewing franchise fees, territories and supplier arrangements.
- Protecting franchise brands, trademarks and intellectual property.
- Advising on franchise-related business structures and commercial agreements.
- Assisting with ongoing legal documentation and applicable disclosure requirements.
We understand that a franchise system needs legal documents that reflect how the business actually operates. Our lawyers work with franchisors to document commercial arrangements, clarify responsibilities and address potential risks across the franchise network.
We also assist established franchisors with reviewing their existing agreements and Disclosure Documents against current legal requirements, including changes introduced under the Franchising Code of Conduct.
Our related services include business structuring and trademark and intellectual property protection.
Thinking about franchising your business? Book a free initial discovery call with Rise Legal to discuss your plans and how our franchise lawyers can assist.
Franchise Agreements
Franchise Agreements, Contracts and Other Legal Services in Australia
Franchise Agreements and the Franchising Code
A Franchise Agreement is the legally binding contract between a franchisor and franchisee. It sets out how the franchise operates, the rights and responsibilities of each party, and the conditions that apply throughout the relationship.
Franchise Agreements typically address:
- Initial franchise fees, ongoing royalties and marketing contributions.
- Franchise territory and any exclusivity arrangements.
- Approved suppliers and purchasing requirements.
- Training, operational support and performance standards.
- Use of trademarks, branding and intellectual property.
- Personal guarantees and financial obligations.
- Renewal, extension and transfer rights.
- Termination provisions and restraints of trade.
- Obligations that continue after the franchise ends.
The Franchise Agreement must also be considered alongside the franchisor’s Disclosure Document and the Australian Franchising Code of Conduct.
The Franchising Code is a mandatory industry code regulating important aspects of franchising relationships, including disclosure requirements, cooling-off rights, good faith, transfers, termination and dispute resolution.
Under the current Code, prospective franchisees must generally receive prescribed documents at least 14 days before entering into a Franchise Agreement, subject to applicable exceptions. These documents can include the proposed Franchise Agreement, Disclosure Document, a copy of the Franchising Code and relevant additional agreements.
Both franchisors and franchisees should understand their obligations before entering into or changing a franchise arrangement.
Franchise Agreement Reviews for Franchisees
Thinking about buying a franchise? Before signing a Franchise Agreement, it’s important to understand exactly what you’re committing to, including the financial obligations, restrictions and potential risks involved.
At Rise Legal, our franchise lawyers provide fixed-fee Franchise Agreement reviews to help prospective franchisees understand their legal obligations and make informed decisions before proceeding.
What Do We Check in a Franchise Agreement Review?
Our legal review can cover important matters such as:
- Franchise fees and royalties: Understanding your initial investment and ongoing payment obligations.
- Territory and exclusivity: Reviewing your operating area and any restrictions or competing franchise arrangements.
- Supplier requirements: Identifying restrictions on where you can purchase products, equipment or services.
- Performance obligations: Understanding minimum targets, operating requirements and potential consequences of non-compliance.
- Capital expenditure: Reviewing obligations to fund upgrades, refurbishments or additional equipment.
- Personal guarantees: Identifying circumstances where you may become personally liable for franchise obligations.
- Intellectual property: Understanding your rights to use the franchisor’s trademarks, branding and business systems.
- Renewal and transfer rights: Reviewing what happens when the agreement expires or you want to sell the franchise.
- Termination provisions: Understanding when and how the agreement may be terminated.
- Restraints of trade: Identifying restrictions that may apply during and after the franchise relationship.
We also review the Franchise Agreement alongside the Disclosure Document and relevant requirements of the Franchising Code, identifying provisions that may require clarification or further consideration.
Our lawyers explain the key findings in plain English, helping you understand the obligations you’re considering and any issues you may wish to raise with the franchisor before signing.
Get Your Franchise Documents Reviewed Before Signing
A franchise can involve substantial financial commitments and long-term contractual obligations. Understanding the legal documents before you sign can help you make a more informed decision.
Rise Legal assists prospective franchisees across Australia, with offices on the Gold Coast, in Perth and Sydney.
Considering buying a franchise? Book a free initial discovery call to discuss our fixed-fee Franchise Agreement review services.
Practical Franchise Legal Advice, Fixed Fees, Australia-Wide
The Australian Franchising Code of Conduct sets out important legal obligations for franchisors and franchisees, including disclosure requirements, cooling-off rights, good faith obligations and rules relating to franchise agreements.
Compliance with the Code is mandatory, and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is responsible for enforcing it. Breaches of certain requirements can result in significant penalties.
At Rise Legal, we help franchisors understand their obligations and develop franchise documentation that reflects how their business operates. From establishing a new franchise system to reviewing existing agreements and disclosure documents, our focus is on practical, commercially relevant legal advice.
We also assist prospective franchisees with understanding their rights, responsibilities and financial commitments before signing a Franchise Agreement.
Our approach is straightforward. We take the time to understand your business, explain the legal requirements in plain English and provide fixed-fee services with the scope and cost agreed upfront.
Need franchising legal advice? Book a free initial discovery call with our team to discuss how we can assist.
There are many legal considerations to take into account when it comes to setting up, buying or selling franchises, so it’s important to get advice from a commercial lawyer to ensure you comply with all the regulations and requirements.
Franchise Lawyers in Sydney, Perth and the Gold Coast
At Rise Legal, we assist franchisors and franchisees across Australia with practical legal advice, franchise documentation and agreement reviews.
With offices in three major locations, our franchise lawyers can assist clients locally or remotely through online meetings.
- Sydney Franchise Lawyers: Level 3, 478 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000.
- Perth Franchise Lawyers: Level 1, 100 Havelock Street, West Perth WA 6005.
- Gold Coast Franchise Lawyers: Level 9, 1 Corporate Court, Bundall QLD 4217.
While the Australian Franchising Code of Conduct applies nationally, other legal requirements can differ between states and territories, particularly in areas such as retail leasing. Our team can assist with relevant commercial legal considerations as part of your franchise transaction.
Frequently Asked Questions About Franchising in Australia
Which Franchising Code of Conduct applies in Australia?
The current Franchising Code of Conduct commenced on 1 April 2025 under the Competition and Consumer (Industry Codes – Franchising) Regulations 2024 (Cth), replacing the previous Code.
Additional requirements commenced on 1 November 2025. Transitional arrangements may affect agreements entered into before the new Code commenced, so the applicable obligations should be considered in light of the particular agreement and circumstances.
How long before signing must I receive the Franchise Disclosure Document?
Generally, franchisors must provide prospective franchisees with prescribed documents at least 14 days before entering into a Franchise Agreement.
These documents commonly include the proposed Franchise Agreement, Disclosure Document, a copy of the Franchising Code and other relevant documents where required.
Limited exceptions apply in certain circumstances, so prospective franchisees should understand their disclosure rights before signing.
Is there a cooling-off period when buying a franchise?
Generally, a franchisee entering into a new Franchise Agreement has a 14-day cooling-off period after signing. Different rules or additional cooling-off rights may apply in certain circumstances involving leasing arrangements or transfers.
The current Code also allows eligible franchisees to opt out of certain cooling-off rights in limited circumstances.
If a franchisee validly exercises a cooling-off right, the franchisor must generally refund relevant payments, subject to permitted deductions for reasonable expenses where the applicable requirements are met.
Do franchisors still need to provide a Key Facts Sheet?
No. The separate Key Facts Sheet requirement was removed under the current Franchising Code.
Franchisors must still meet their disclosure obligations, including providing prescribed information in the Franchise Disclosure Document.
Additional disclosure requirements introduced from 1 November 2025 include information about significant capital expenditure and specific purpose funds, where applicable.
Who regulates franchising in Australia?
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is responsible for enforcing the Franchising Code of Conduct.
The ACCC can undertake compliance checks, issue infringement notices in appropriate circumstances and take enforcement action. Breaches of certain Code requirements can attract significant civil penalties.
Can Rise Legal review my Franchise Agreement before I sign?
Yes. Rise Legal provides fixed-fee Franchise Agreement reviews for prospective franchisees across Australia.
Our lawyers review relevant franchise documents, explain important obligations in plain English and identify legal issues you may wish to consider before committing to the franchise.
Can Rise Legal help me establish a new franchise system?
Yes. We assist businesses looking to franchise their operations, including preparing Franchise Agreements, Disclosure Documents and related commercial documentation.
We also assist established franchisors with reviewing and updating their legal documentation to reflect current regulatory requirements and commercial arrangements.
Speak with Our Franchise Lawyers
Buying a franchise or planning to franchise your business? Rise Legal can help you understand your legal obligations and prepare or review the documents relevant to your arrangement.
Call 1300 064 707 or contact Rise Legal to book a free initial discovery call.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is general in nature and is intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as a substitute for advice tailored to your specific circumstances. We recommend seeking independent legal advice before making any decisions based on this information.
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