United Kingdom: Franchising

The NBA and FIBA have announced a joint European basketball league launching in October 2027, with 12 franchises across major European cities and franchise fees ranging from $500M to $1B.

In hospitality, investors are buying brand and reputation, not just bricks and mortar. Intangible assets are the deal drivers in this industry. Branded hotels, for example, achieve a higher transaction price...

Over the past two decades, the value of sports franchises and related assets has skyrocketed, with rapid revenue growth across various commercial streams including the more traditional broadcasting and sponsorship (both now of course more global than ever), to new commercial tie ups and off field year round monetisation of stadia. While the skyrocketing valuations have prompted some commentators to argue that we could be witnessing the formation of a "sports bubble", this does not seem correct to us.

Franchising is a popular way to expand a business and an increasing number of people are interested in taking on their own franchise.

When a relationship between franchisor and franchisee comes to an end, the franchise agreement will inevitably contain restrictions that prevent a franchisee from carrying out various activities for a defined period of time.

In recent years, the UK's economic environment has been difficult to navigate for numerous businesses due to the political uncertainty brought by Brexit, impacts caused by Covid-19 and the escalation of political tensions...

Following Quantum Actuarial LLP v Quantum Advisory Limited [2021] EWCA Civ 227 and Dwyer (UK Franchising) Limited v Fredbar Limited and Shaun Rowland Bartlett [2022] EWCA...

How important is the digital future on the franchise model in the UK?

Aside from Dwyer, what else has happened in the last year or so in the courts which might be relevant to a franchise lawyer?