A franchise agreement review from a Legal 500-recognised franchise lawyer, delivered as a structured written report within five working days. If you have received a franchise agreement and want to understand exactly what you are signing before you commit, this is the most authoritative review available outside of a solicitor instructing you on your own behalf. Fixed fee. No surprises.
Reviewed by Richard James — Legal 500-recognised franchise lawyer
Every franchise agreement review at TFC is carried out by Richard James. Richard is recognised in the Legal 500 as one of the UK’s leading franchise lawyers, including in the 2026 edition, and brings over two decades of experience advising franchisors, franchisees and investors across retail, hospitality, technology, healthcare, fitness and professional services.
Richard reviews your agreement from both a legal and a commercial standpoint — assessing not just what the terms say, but what they mean in practice when the franchisor-franchisee relationship is tested. Working alongside TFC’s wider team of bfa Advisor Member consultants, this combined expertise gives you a more complete picture of your agreement than a purely legal or purely commercial review can provide.
This is the same level of expertise that established franchise networks and emerging franchisors rely on when drafting and reviewing their own agreements. You get that expertise applied directly to your situation, for a fixed fee, with a clear written report you can act on.
What your franchise agreement review includes
- A structured written report in plain English covering the terms that matter most
- A clear executive summary at the start — the key findings before you read the detail
- Legal and commercial assessment by a Legal 500-recognised franchise lawyer with 20+ years of experience
- Benchmarking against current UK franchise industry norms and bfa standards
- A 30-minute follow-up call with Richard to walk through the findings and answer your questions
- Delivered within five working days of receiving your agreement and cleared payment
What the franchise agreement review covers
- Fee structure — is the management service fee and advertising levy in line with what is typical for this sector and investment level?
- Territory rights — is your territory clearly defined, exclusively protected, and large enough to support a viable business?
- Training and support obligations — are the franchisor’s commitments specific and measurable, or vague enough to allow very little in practice?
- Renewal terms — can the franchisor change the terms at renewal, and on what basis?
- Resale and exit — what are your rights if you want to sell your franchise, and what can the franchisor charge or withhold?
- Termination provisions — are the grounds for termination balanced, or heavily weighted in the franchisor’s favour?
- Digital and online trading rights — does the agreement address e-commerce and online lead generation in a way that protects your territory?
- bfa alignment — how does the agreement compare to the British Franchise Association’s code of ethical conduct?
How it works
Request your franchise agreement review
Complete the form and we will be in touch within one working day to confirm availability and send your invoice. Once payment is received, email us your agreement and your written report will be with you within five working days.
Background
Richard’s background spans franchising from every angle. Since the mid‑2000s he has advised on franchise system creation, brand protection, commercial contracts and high‑value transactions for both emerging and established networks. He is also regularly recognised for his work in commercial contracts, corporate transactions and the successful exploitation of intellectual property rights.
Experience in franchising
As the In‑House Franchise Lawyer at The Franchise Consultant, Richard supports business owners through every stage of franchising, including:
- Franchise agreements, area development structures and documentation
- Franchise and associated agreement reviews
- Network management and dispute support
- Exit strategies
- Commercial and operational guidance throughout the franchise lifecycle
His approach is practical, commercially grounded and focused on long‑term network sustainability.
Richard’s work has included establishing the first health & safety franchise in the UK, advising on the sale of the Approved Franchise Association to the British Franchise Association (bfa), and supporting franchise networks across retail, hospitality, technology, healthcare, fitness and professional services.
Credentials
- Legal 500‑recognised franchise lawyer
- 20+ years’ experience in franchising, commercial and corporate law
- Qualified Business Mentor (ILM)
- A winner of multiple awards for Innovation
- Advisor to the AFA–British Franchise Association merger
Outside of work
Richard enjoys Formula 1, exploring new technologies and travel.