Franchise lawyers for franchisees and franchisors

Hourly rates from specialist franchise firms typically run $450–$700/hour. Lawpath uses fixed-price quotes per matter — FDD reviews $1,400–$2,000, franchise agreement reviews $2,000–$3,500, and franchisor-side template drafting $4,500–$6,500 (all plus GST). Your exact quote depends on system complexity and turnaround, confirmed before any work begins. All price are subject to change each financial year.

Yes, and it should be every time. The Franchise Disclosure Document is federally mandated and contains the franchise’s financial history, litigation record, current franchisees you can contact, key restraints, and financial performance information. A lawyer reads through it in 2-3 days and flags exactly what to ask the franchisor before you sign or pay any non-refundable deposit.

The Franchising Code of Conduct is a mandatory industry code under the Competition and Consumer Act. It governs disclosure (the FDD), the 14-day cooling-off period, dispute resolution, marketing fund use, end-of-term arrangements, and conduct between franchisors and franchisees. It applies to almost all franchise arrangements in Australia and was significantly overhauled, with the new Code commencing 1 April 2025.

Sometimes – depends on the franchisor’s policy. Large systems with hundreds of franchisees typically won’t negotiate the standard agreement. Smaller systems often will, especially on territory, renewal terms, and personal guarantees. Either way, a lawyer’s review tells you what’s worth pushing on and what’s a take-it-or-leave-it term.

The Franchising Code gives you two protections. First, a 14-day consideration period before signing: you must be given the disclosure document, the franchise agreement and any lease information at least 14 days before you can be asked to sign. Second, a separate 14-day cooling-off period after signing (or after paying any non-refundable money), during which you can terminate the agreement and recover most fees. Use both periods to get proper legal advice.

Under the Franchising Code, the FDD must be updated annually within 4 months of the financial year-end. Most franchisors engage their lawyer once a year to do this –  it’s a 1-2 week project. Get it wrong (or skip it) and your franchisees can rescind the agreement and walk away with their fees back.

At the early-stage advisory level — yes. Demand letters, contract review, advice on your position under the Franchising Code, mediation preparation. If the dispute moves into active litigation, we’d refer you to a litigation-specialist firm.

Different sides of the same agreement. Franchisee lawyers focus on protecting the buyer — reviewing FDD, negotiating the agreement, flagging restraints. Franchisor lawyers focus on building and defending the system — drafting the FDD, building the master agreement, handling network-wide compliance. Lawpath has experienced lawyers on both sides — tell us which you are in the form.