Franchising
We represent and advise franchisors, franchisees and master franchisees, area representatives and licensors to help them understand, manage and navigate the legal and regulatory requirements that apply to Canadian franchises.
Our primary focus is on advising corporate and franchised brands on establishing, structuring, developing and expanding in Western Canada. We regularly provide meaningful assistance to new entrants into established franchises, international franchisors expanding into Canada and businesses looking to take the “next step” and convert into a franchise model.
We work closely with our clients across a range of industries (from quick-service restaurants to regulated professions) at each of the stages of the “franchise cycle” – from launch, set-up for long-term growth and impact, ongoing management and operations, through to maturity, exit strategy planning and the sale of businesses.
MLT Aikins is a member of the Canadian Franchise Association.
We offer a full range of services, including:
- Analyzing franchise legislation, regulations and industry standards in multiple jurisdictions
- Providing assistance, advice and coordination with respect to trademarks and other intellectual property protection
- Considering the appropriate franchise structure – company owned, single unit, area representation, master franchising, or a combination thereof
- Creating, reviewing and updating national disclosure documents for use in both regulated and unregulated/voluntary provinces (e.g. Saskatchewan) and assisting with the management of ongoing disclosure obligations
- Creating and customizing template master franchise or area representative disclosure documents for new franchisors with company-owned stores and third-party sub-franchisees for master franchisees and area developer arrangements, including for international franchisors who are expanding into Canada
- Developing customized franchise agreement and ancillary documents for use by start-up franchisors, including the “Canadianizing” foreign franchise documents
- Assisting with growth and operational/maintenance matters including agreements with general managers, employees, human resources policies, vendor and supply chain contracts, lease negotiations, lease renewals, strategic store closures and ongoing updates to agreement terms
- Assisting and advising on enforcement matters, termination of defaulting franchisees, litigation and other dispute-resolution matters
- Assisting with sales, acquisitions and franchisor re-acquisition of franchised locations and exit strategy planning
