Recent Projects
Advising a group of franchisees in a service industry franchise.
Our clients were concerned about a major change to the business that the franchisor was about to make. We confirmed that this gave them the right to terminate. Our investigations uncovered other violations of the franchise agreement by the franchisor. We included these when drafting the termination notices. The franchisees are now free from the oppressive franchisor and are successfully running their independent businesses.
The Franchisee commented: -
“What a wonderful outcome. Finding you and getting out of Xxxx is the best business decision we have ever made”.
Securing a compensation payment for sexual harassment in a mediated settlement.
Our female client had suffered sexual harassment by an employee of the franchisor. The franchisor’s managing director had been unsympathetic and played down the seriousness of the situation, causing our client to terminate and seek compensation. The franchisor’s solicitors firmly rejected her claim, stating that she did not have a case. We advised her to accept an offer to mediate and supported her at the in-person mediation, securing a settlement of over 90% of her substantial claim.
Our client sent us a deeply touching recorded verbal message of thanks.
Successfully devising and implementing an exit strategy for a wine bar franchisee.
Soon after taking on this case, we discovered that a large undisclosed profit margin was being added to the wine that the franchisees were required to buy from the franchisor. Our investigations also found other irregular charges. We drafted letters for our client that altered the balance of power in the relationship, leading to a termination that avoided the post-termination restrictions. He has rebranded his wine bar and, being independent, is now far more profitable.
Our client commented:“Without your help I would never have been able to achieve this wonderful outcome”.
Assisting a franchisee of home tutoring franchise to terminate the agreement.
We identified and exploited major flaws in the franchise agreement to enable our client to terminate. We then assisted her in a legal claim which resulted in her recovering her investment.
Our client said: -
“What a perfect result. I can’t thank you enough for supporting me.”
Enabling a franchisee to leave a food franchise and avoid post-termination restrictions.
We found that the franchisor had used an obsolete franchise agreement with restrictions that are no longer enforceable. When challenged about other issues, the franchisor wrongly terminated. This enabled our client to terminate, re-brand and continue independently.
Our client said: -
We are so very, very grateful. We can now run our own business and we don’t have to pay any more service fees.
Helping a fitness industry franchisor.
The franchisor had to deal with two franchisees who were attempting to avoid paying service fees and start a competing business
The CEO commented: -
Job done, first class outcome; you made it look easy!
Assisting a pet care franchisee
Our client said: -
Your support has been amazing, and you have always been there when we needed you.
The Franchisor said:-
That our principle was a 'wrecking ball'
(our best complement ever!)
Advising an automotive training franchisee
Our franchisee client commented: -
Thank you so much. I‘ve got my life back and a huge weight is off my shoulders.
Enabling a mediated settlement in the property sector.
The parties to the dispute said: -
This is a good outcome for all. Thank you very much indeed for helping us. The solution that you devised hadn't been spotted by anyone else and immediately resolved the problem
Enabling a franchisee to leave a franchise without paying an exit fee.
Our client operated a pet industry franchise and wanted to leave three years before the expiry of the agreement. The franchisor initially demanded that she must pay all the remaining minimum monthly payments. We identified misrepresentation and breaches of the agreement by the franchisor. These secured an amicable termination of the agreement without any payment by our client.
Our client said.
I am so very grateful for you getting me out of this dreadful situation. Without this hanging over my head I can now move on.
Assisting a group of 10 franchisees against a service industry franchisor.
The initial group of six franchisees wanted to leave the franchise and continue independently. We identified numerous breaches of the franchise agreement, misuse of the advertising fund and oppressive management by the franchisor. Four more franchisees joined the group, and we successfully secured terminations for all of them that avoided the post-termination restrictions.
The group members all expressed their thanks in a very light-hearted Zoom call with us during the recent holiday.
Securing a refund of the joining fee and termination of the franchise agreement in the children’s activity sector.
Our client wanted to leave because she was making no money and believed that the franchise had been mis-sold. Having previous experience against this franchisor, we knew the areas of vulnerability and secured a full refund
.
Our client thanked us profusely and posted a glowing Google review.