Franchises, dealerships and distributorships
You may be new to the franchise world, well-established or looking to expand. Whether you are a franchisor or a franchisee, we can provide practical legal guidance to achieve your business goals.
We work with franchise clients in a range of areas. These include car dealerships, food service businesses, sports organizations, hotels, retail and health care services.
The benefits of a full-service firm
Franchises can involve issues ranging from protecting intellectual property to expanding franchise territory. We draw upon the skills of the firm's lawyers in IP, business law, real estate, tax and dispute resolution to get the best solution for you.
How we can help
Get advice on negotiation, structuring, set-up, branding, operation, expansion, purchase and sale of your franchise business. We can also help you with:
- Financing
- Advertising, marketing and promotions
- Structuring franchisee/dealer advisory councils
- Intellectual property (trademarks, patents, copyrights, designs, and trade secrets)
- Master franchise rights
- Converting non-franchised businesses into franchised businesses
- Premise and equipment leasing arrangements
- Tax implications
- Employment law and occupational health and safety
- Alberta Franchises Act compliance and disclosure requirements
- Franchise litigation and arbitration
We help with
You want to protect your investment with the right agreements for your business. We can assist you with negotiating and drafting agreements, including:
- Franchise agreements
- Distribution agreements
- Dealership agreements
- Disclosure documents
- Supplier agreements
- Leases relating to premises and equipment
- Agreements for the construction of the premises
- Non-disclosure agreements
- Employment agreements
- Technology agreements
- Outsourcing agreements
What our clients say
"The team explains things in layman terms and always looks for the most efficient solution." – Legal 500 Canada 2022
Practice areas
Representative work
FYi Eye Care Services and Products Inc.'s strategic investment
Counsel to FYi Eye Care Services and Products Inc., the world's largest optometrist-controlled eye care company, in connection with the strategic minority equity investment in FYi made by L Catterton Management Limited, the largest and most global consumer-focused private equity firm, for an undisclosed amount.
Advising Wendy's Restaurants of Canada Inc. in a successful summary judgment application
Counsel to Wendy's Restaurants of Canada Inc. in a successful summary judgment application and dismissal of a claim pertaining to the termination of a franchise license. (Seto v. Wendy's Restaurants of Canada Inc., 2016 ABQB 493).
Calgary Flames acquisition of the Calgary Stampeders
Counsel to the Calgary Flames in the acquisition of a majority interest in the CFL's Calgary Stampeders.
Establishment of an orthodontic partnership network
Counsel to Corus Orthodontists Inc. in connection with establishing a North American orthodontist owned orthodontic partnership network.
Dispute regarding wrongful termination of franchise agreements
Counsel to a franchisee in a successful injunction application and trial relating to the wrongful termination of franchise agreements which resulted in the reinstatement of the agreements, a ten year renewal of the expired agreement and a finding that the franchisor had acted in bad faith. (760437 Alberta Ltd. v. Fabutan Corp. 2012 ABQB 266).
