Franchising

While franchising is an increasingly attractive business model for many businesses, franchise legislation in various Canadian jurisdictions imposes comprehensive disclosure obligations on franchisors. As a result, franchisors need counsel with in-depth knowledge of the province-specific requirements in each jurisdiction.

Blakes has expertise in in many different areas, including business, privacy, data protection, tax, competition, real estate, intellectual property and dispute resolution, enabling us to apply our legal skills and regulatory acumen to provide comprehensive, cost-effective service.

Clients benefit from our unmatched skills in preparing franchise disclosure documents and identifying disclosure exemptions, as applicable. They also benefit from our deep and broad-based industry knowledge gleaned from representing diverse industry sectors, including automotive, office services, hotels, restaurants (including quick-service restaurants), retail financial, security, furniture and home furnishings, corporate training, educational and other business, household, and personal services.

Relying on our expertise, franchisors and master franchisees across industries engage us to advise them on the establishment, operation, expansion, acquisition, post-acquisition restructuring and integration, disposition and termination of franchises. They also retain us to prepare franchise agreements, area development agreements and master licence agreements, including related documentation and to provide strategic advice on protecting, enhancing and exploiting their valuable portfolios of trademarks and other proprietary indicia in Canada. In addition, we regularly assist foreign companies with regulatory compliance and customizing their franchise agreements and disclosure documentation for use in Canada.

Blakes Franchising lawyers are knowledgeable about current and proposed Canadian franchise legislation, current case law and other developments impacting franchising in Canada. Blakes regularly advises clients on the application and implications of Ontario’s franchise legislation, as well as the franchise legislation enacted in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.

Representing clients in all forms of dispute resolution, including class actions and other litigation, arbitration and mediation, Blakes litigators have enforced franchisor rights against former franchisees and infringers, as well as defended franchisors in actions brought by current and former franchisees.