Franchise and Retailing
Our in-depth knowledge of operational and tax structures
BCF advises independent franchisees and franchisors as well as global brands known for their extensive business development.
Our multidisciplinary team negotiates franchise agreements and commercial leases. We also draft employment contracts and advise on matters involving property development, competition law, intellectual property, obtaining licences, e-commerce, distribution networks, tax optimisation, litigation, and the defence of a class action.
Sub-industries
Sub-industries
BCF’s multidisciplinary franchise and retail team represents a broad spectrum of clients in the franchising sector.
Our commercial lawyers structure and prepare franchise agreements as well as the ancillary documents required to run a franchise such as sub-leases, general security agreements, and software licence agreements. Our trademark professionals counsel and protect our clients’ trademarks with solid trademark license agreements. We also help prepare disclosure documents to assist non-Canadian franchisees with Canadian legislation compliance. Finally, our litigation and dispute resolution team helps clients understand the uncertain body of case law on franchising and use it to their advantage in the event of a dispute.
BCF’s franchise and retail lawyers assist a variety of clients with federal and provincial packaging and distribution law compliance.
We ensure that our clients’ products are labelled properly with labels containing the necessary information and drafted in the languages required by the jurisdiction in which the goods are sold. We also advise on matters of false or misleading advertising and consumer protection. Our dispute resolution and litigation team, especially our class action specialists, are experts in defending clients against the rising tide of litigation concerning inaccurate labeling.
As a full service law firm, BCF is a one-stop shop for clients in the retail sector.
We advise a variety of traditional as well as digital retailers on competition law matters such as price fixing and predatory pricing, consumer protection, and intellectual property protection. Our lawyers negotiate and draft commercial lease agreements and general security agreements for clients in the traditional retail trade as well as internet terms of use and privacy policies for our clients engaged in digital commerce. We also help structure loyalty programs to retain customers and data protection strategies to avoid embarrassing and costly privacy breaches.
