Franchising
UK Guide 2025 : UK-wide
Band 2
Contact number
0207 242 1212About
Provided by Dentons
The UK franchising group is well established and highly regarded in their field. Our unique sector focus enables us to attract work from clients in key franchise sectors such as restaurants and hotels and leisure but also in emerging sectors such as education and healthcare. We are leaders in retail, combining the firm's sector-leading retail expertise with the firm's strong franchise expertise has enabled us to attract a broad range of new retail clients.
The Dentons global franchise group has a total of nine ranked lawyers based in the USA, Canada, Europe and the Middle East. We can advise clients not only on their franchise agreements but also on the use of franchising as part of their international expansion strategy. We act not only for established franchisors whose entire business model is based on franchising but also for companies who use franchising strategically to deal with unique business opportunities.
We advise our clients on domestic and global franchising, franchise disputes, IP protection, franchise joint ventures, data privacy and IP. These are the key areas of franchise law.
Dentons is largest law firm in the world with 188 locations in 77 countries around the world. We are well known for taking franchise businesses international into the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and China. We offer the full range of legal services from Data Privacy to Commercial Contracts, Competition Law, Joint Ventures and Franchise Disputes and Compliance.
Chambers Review
Dentons offers a range of legal services needed by franchise companies, from master franchise agreements and unit franchise agreements, to franchise disclosure documents, franchise-specific competition law advice, joint ventures, data privacy and disputes.
Work Highlights
- Dentons advises Krispy Kreme on franchise expansion internationally. The team assists with making changes to franchise agreements. Countries it has supported expansion in include Bolivia, France, Germany, Pakistan and Uzbekistan.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"An experienced and efficient team; response times are very good and the quality of the work is perfect."
"They are excellent and reliable lawyers, and I depend on their expertise and responsiveness."
"One of the few law firms in the international market with extensive legal experience in the franchise market. We get specific answers grounded in business realities and a practical approach."
"They demonstrated their ability to handle our complex, three-party agreements with ease. An outstanding global team with vast knowledge of hospitality franchising."
"An experienced and efficient team; response times are very good and the quality of the work is perfect."
"They are excellent and reliable lawyers, and I depend on their expertise and responsiveness."
"One of the few law firms in the international market with extensive legal experience in the franchise market. We get specific answers grounded in business realities and a practical approach."
"They demonstrated their ability to handle our complex, three-party agreements with ease. An outstanding global team with vast knowledge of hospitality franchising."
Notable Practitioners
Babette Märzheuser-Wood advises a wide range of clients, including hotels, restaurants and retailers, on the negotiation, restructuring and termination of franchise agreements. She assists with franchise arrangements in various jurisdictions, including in Latin America, South-East Asia, Africa and Europe.
"A world-class adviser, commercially aware and forever able to guide and teach us as we continue to expand our business."
"She is a phenomenal franchising lawyer with a very deep and broad knowledge base, not least with regard to structuring."
"An expert in the field. Professional, pragmatic, works with high energy and at pace. A trusted business partner."
"Babette has an extensive knowledge of the franchising world across multiple industries and so was able to fully support from both a technical and commercial perspective."
Ranked Lawyers at
Dentons
UK-wide
Clients
Provided by Dentons
Avis
Berkshire Hathaway
Dine Equity
Ghelamco
Hertz
Wagamama
Industries
Provided by Dentons
Hotel and Leisure, Retail, Restaurants, Education, Real Estate, Travel and Sport