Franchising
In expanding a business, whether nationally or internationally, licencing and franchising are routes that many business owners pursue in order to quickly grow their business and brand name.
Teacher Stern provides specialist legal advice to both franchisors and franchisees across a wide industry sector spanning retail, restaurants, fast food, cafes, leisure, entertainment, clothes, real estate and hotels, to name but a few.
We work with some of the biggest national and international franchise names in the UK. We have advised well known businesses such as The Body Shop, Oliver’s Hot Bread, Slimming Clinics, Burger & Lobster, Lima and several other major restaurant groups establishing national and international franchises.
In advising franchisors, we regularly advise on matters such as preparing international franchise and developer agreements (master franchise agreements), structuring and drafting operating manuals, social franchising and corporate social responsibility, non-disclosure and confidentiality agreements, commitment and guarantee agreements and all aspects related to the licencing of intellectual property rights and brand names.
We frequently advise franchisees on their rights and obligations under franchise agreements including in relation to the termination of franchise arrangements, the sale of existing franchise businesses, and the ownership of intellectual property rights and data. We also advise franchisees on structuring their franchise business through the use of joint venture shareholder agreements, partnership agreements and LLP agreements.
Our dispute resolution team has significant experience in advising on franchise related disputes and misrepresentation claims; as well as claims relating to intellectual property and passing off.
Advising on any franchise arrangement requires expertise in a number of different areas of law including commercial contracts, dispute resolution, competition law, intellectual property rights law, real estate law, employment law and EU law. At Teacher Stern, you will find specialists who are not only experts in their relevant areas law, but who can understand and help you achieve your commercial objectives.
Representative Franchising Work
Examples of our teams franchise work include:
- Advised a major high street restaurant group in connection with the establishment of franchise arrangements both nationally and internationally.
- Advised several clients in connection with franchise disputes relating to one of the largest gym operators in the UK.
- Advised on the creation of international franchise templates for use by a well-known beauty brand in the Middle East.
- Advised numerous clients in connection with their negotiations for franchise arrangements.
- Advised on the negotiating of a Master Licence Agreement/Franchise Elements for a well-known chain of restaurants.
Key contacts:
Biography
Claire specialises in advising small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across multiple industries. She enjoys guiding entrepreneurs through the intricacies of corporate law, whether it’s working with clients on startups, navigating investment rounds, or managing successful corporate acquisitions and sales.
Claire has a wealth of experience of key corporate areas, including:
- Mergers & Acquisitions;
- Joint Ventures and Private Equity Deals: With a particular focus on deals ranging from £5 million to £150 million, Claire is well-versed in navigating complex joint ventures and private equity arrangements;
- Corporate Real Estate Transactions: Claire has a keen understanding of corporate real estate dynamics, ensuring smooth transactions for her clients;
- General Corporate Governance Support: Providing invaluable support, Claire offers comprehensive assistance in matters of corporate governance, ensuring her clients’ compliance and strategic alignment;
Beyond her core focus on corporate matters, Claire has extensive experience in negotiating, and advising on a wide array of commercial contracts particularly agency, distribution, and supply agreements for clients in the wholesale and retail sector.
With a client-centric approach, Claire is not just a legal advisor; she’s a trusted partner on the growth of a corporate business. Whether you’re a startup seeking guidance, an investor exploring opportunities, or a business owner contemplating a strategic sale, Claire can provide commercial legal advice and results driven solutions.
Testimonials
Claire has been named as a Recommended Lawyer in the Legal 500 rankings.
Legal 500 2025
Claire Rollo stands out for her breadth of practice, covering M&A transactions, joint ventures and private equity deals, and corporate real estate.
Legal 500 2024
‘The team is clearly very knowledgeable and dedicated to their clients. Their level of technical knowledge is unrivalled by any other. They go above and beyond to deliver the results the clients want. I know I can always depend on their profound expertise and professionalism.’
Legal 500 2021
‘Claire Rollo was insightful, responsive and available’
Year qualified: 1993
Representative experience:-
- Advised on disposal of corporate entities holding various shopping centres across the UK; including the sale of two high value malls situated at London Underground stations for a combined value of in excess of £150 million and sale of corporate entity holding shopping centre and retail park in South West England for £57 million;
- Advised on sale of leading creative healthcare marketing consultancy on behalf of its founders to one of the largest independent medical communications and medical marketing specialists;
- Advised on the sale of a London hotel business with related TUPE, licensing and capital allowance issues;
- Advised the UK’s leading ethical flower business on the acquisition and merger of the market leading direct to consumer plant delivery service as part of its ongoing business expansion;
- Advised on de-merger documentation for one of London’s leading accountants for owner managed businesses;
- Advised numerous overseas investors on the purchase of offshore SPVs holding high value residential properties in London with values ranging from £3 million to over £70 million.
Career:
Teacher Stern LLP 2013
Butcher Burns LLP 1996 -2013 (Partner 2000)
