At the very heart of any franchise relationship is a lengthy legal document - the franchise agreement. But what should you expect to find in one, and what does it actually mean? Miles Agmen-Smith provides a guide.

12 tips and traps for franchise buyers

Franchise lawyer Michael Bright explains how to get off to the best possible start in your new business

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What happens at the end of your term?

Franchises don’t last forever: Stewart Germann looks at some of the issues franchisees need to understand

Where do you start? How to get into your own business

How do you decide whether a business opportunity is right for you? Here’s a guide to working it out with links to all the resources you need to make the right decision

Making a Formal Complaint

If you think you have a justified complaint about a franchise, what should you do? Here's our guide to making a complaint under the Franchise Association's Code of Practice and Ethics.

What Should A Disclosure Document Contain?

A good disclosure document is a great help when buying a franchise. What should it tell you?

Guaranteed Income

What importance should you place on a work or income guarantee?

Get The Right Advice

A franchise can be a great way to get into your own business – but how do you reduce risk?

Territory - What Are You Getting?

Knowing what is and isn't your territory helps new franchisees avoid problems, say Stewart Germann and Clive Neifeld

Thinking Ahead

Lance Hargreaves of specialist franchise lawyers Goodwin Turner suggests some legal aspects to consider when buying a franchise as a long-term investment

Due diligence - what does it mean?

These days, you wouldn’t dare buy a house without a pre-purchase inspection – so don’t do it with a franchise, either. Don’t let the jargon put you off

12 tips and traps for franchise buyers

Franchise lawyer Michael Bright explains how to get off to the best possible start in your new business

Speaking terms - buying and selling a franchise

What happens to the franchise agreement when you buy or sell an existing franchise? Michael Bright provides a brief guide

Why use a lawyer?

There's no excuse for cutting corners when buying a franchise

7 things your lawyer should tell you before you buy a franchise

Scott Goodwin and Nicole Duncan outline the most important factors

What's in the franchise agreement?

Cutting through the jargon - a guide to common clauses in franchise agreements

Franchise lawyer David Foster explains what to expect in a franchise agreement and what it means for your future.

Choosing A Professional Advisor

When you're buying or setting up a franchise, it's important to get accurate and useful advice. Stewart Germann offers some hints on choosing the right advisors

The need for caution

December 2009 - What are the lessons for potential franchise buyers from the successful prosecution of two men for misrepresentation in selling franchises? We’ve spoken to one of the victims and learned more about how the men lied – including pretending to be a successful franchisee. We also look at the most common type of complaints about franchises made to the Commerce Commission.

No law can save a fool in a hurry

Some people won’t take advice when they need it - and won't take advice after they've got themselves into trouble, either

Who is behind the business?
A guide to using the Companies Office website.

Entering into business with someone you’ve only just met should involve careful research, says Sally Knight

Franchise Agreements Where Are The Hooks?

When you buy a franchise, you will have to sign a legal contract called a Franchise Agreement. Does it contain any nasty surprises? Vanessa Cathie helps you find out

Advice Makes All The Difference

Wondering how to choose the right franchise for you? Getting the right advice from the right people can set you on the path to success

Dealing With High-Pressure Sales Tactics

Reputable franchisors never use high-pressure sales tactics, but some companies do. Rory MacDonald suggests some of the tricks to look out for and why you should never be hurried into making a decision.

Court of Appeal decision bolsters protection for franchisors

April 2010 - Last year’s judgement by the Court of Appeal that upheld the effectiveness of notices to franchise buyers that they should get their own specialist advice has been reinforced in another case.

False franchisors plead guilty

16 October 2009 - The Commerce Commission has welcomed the conviction and sentencing today of Stewart John Brown and Robert Llewelyn Parr

Good Faith vs. Unconscionable Conduct

July 2009 - One of the topics covered at the 2009 Franchise Law Reform Symposium in Auckland was the possible introduction of the concepts of 'good faith' and 'unconscionable conduct' into New Zealand law. Here, Stewart Germann expands upon the commentary he gave at the seminar.

Master Franchising - Global Opportunities

Stewart Germann draws some lessons from experience for those importing and exporting franchise brands

Green Acres fraud case still a year away

July 2009 - There will be no speedy resolution for those affected by the alleged Green Acres fraud

Franchisee's Due Diligence is Paramount, says Court Of Appeal

6 March 2009 - The Court of Appeal has delivered an extremely important judgement for the franchise sector in respect of a long-running case involving James Home Services

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