Franchising is a widespread method of marketing goods, services and technology. Short cycles for products and business plans as well as the increasing costs of launching them in various markets make franchising an interesting marketing concept. Important success factors are corporate culture, partnership principals, adjustments for local customer needs and the transfer of know-how. An expansion into European and overseas markets requires that franchise enterprises abandon single company strategies. Our firm provides legal services in all important franchise matters such as collective marketing, trademark recognition and the relationship between franchisors and franchisees as well as the vertical alignment of the common market in accordance with the EU regulation on group exemptions for vertical restraints.

We not only advise entrepreneurs in planning and developing new marketing systems, but also support prospective entrepreneurs who are interested in participating in a franchise system. Our office has developed proven franchise and marketing agreements which provide effective protection against later legal disputes.

Our services in this area include:

• advice in the conceptual design, construction and development of franchise systems;
  
• configuration of manuals and franchise agreements as well as their up-dates with regard to all legal and operational matters;
  
• mediation and representation in disputes between franchisors and franchisees.

We implement these multidisciplinary measures in a coordinated manner. An active part in these services is rendered by our business consultancy re:invent AG, which examines, structures and adapts franchise systems with regard to the operational requirements.