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Franchising

Franchising is a popular and proven way to start or expand a business, offering franchisees the benefits of working for themselves, without the risks and uncertainties of starting a business from scratch. As franchisees, you have the chance to pursue your passions and call the shots, while relying on an established product or brand that people trust. For franchisors, franchising brings the advantages of expanding a successful business model into new markets and generating new revenue streams, but it’s not a straightforward process. There’s a need to develop a thriving franchise that can replicate your success in different locations and under different ownership. That’s where we at Baybridge come in. Whether you are a start-up franchisor, an established franchisor, or a prospective franchisee, you can expect practical legal advice that comes from years of experience in this area.

What we do

As a franchisor, we can guide you through the legal and practical aspects of franchising, from developing a franchise system to drafting and negotiating franchise agreements, to protecting your intellectual property. We can also help you resolve any disputes that may arise with your franchisees, ensuring that your business remains successful and profitable.

As a franchisee, we can negotiate the best deal possible for you and help you understand your obligations under the franchise agreement. We can also assist you with dispute resolution if problems arise with your franchisor. Our goal is to help you achieve your franchising goals and avoid any legal pitfalls that may arise along the way.

How we can help

Franchisors:

Advisory services
Preparation and review of franchise agreements, disclosure documents and ancillary documentation
Franchising Code of Conduct compliance
Sales, purchases and restructuring of franchise systems
Importing and exporting franchise systems to and from Australia
Competition and Consumer Act and compliance matters
Multi-tiered franchising options (including master franchising and area developer arrangements)

Franchisees:

Why choose Baybridge?

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Purchase of Rent Rolls

We understand that selling a property management portfolio can be difficult and time-consuming. Understanding the unique intricacies of acquiring a significant asset ensures that the process goes as smoothly as possible; we work with you to guide you through each step. We manage the process from assisting with negotiating the agreement, drafting the purchase contract, and managing the settlement process. Our involvement ensures you are in safe hands, allowing you to focus on managing and growing your business, as well as your new portfolio of clients.

Succession Planning

Real Estate Agencies are unlike any other business, and planning the next stage for your agency requires careful analysis and consideration. Although sometimes emotional, succession planning is a vital part of business planning. We are here to guide and support you through this transition with advice on the best succession plan for you and your team. Once the right plan is in place, we assist with Shareholder Agreements, Buy Back Agreements, and other contracts you may need.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some of the questions we hear most often. If you’ve got a question that isn’t covered, hit us up and we’ll be happy to help.

Franchisees

How do I pick a franchise that works for me?

People become their own bosses for different reasons. You might want to work flexibly or do something that you like doing. When it comes to a franchise, there are other considerations, such as the cost to enter and what’s expected of you from the franchisor. So do your research!

Are there hidden costs associated with joining a franchise?

There are many costs associated with joining a franchise that you may not be aware of – it’s different in each case, however. Prospective franchisors can provide you with the information you need. Whilst understanding everything can be challenging, we can certainly give you a hand.

Once I’ve entered a franchise, is it difficult to exit?

It depends; your obligations to the franchisor in this respect, however, will be clearly set out in the contract – it’s essential to understand responsibilities before moving into any franchise contract.

Is there a governing body that regulates the franchise industry?

Yes, the ACCC is the national regulator of the Franchising Code of Conduct. They do not resolve individual franchising disputes or give legal advice. We certainly can assist though.

Franchisors

How do I know I’m ready to become a Franchisor?

There’s no single answer; however, articulating your brand and being realistic about the costs involved is a good start. Your business model also needs to work without your personal involvement.

What are the benefits of becoming a Franchisor?

One of the big motivators is the reduction of risk – you have more access to capital and fewer employees to support. This also comes with increased brand awareness and more efficient business growth.

What are the disadvantages?

When you make your business available for franchise, you’re effectively selling some of the control of your brand. Yes, the franchise agreement will include guidelines. However, franchise owners aren’t you; they think differently – which leads to the increased potential for legal disputes.

As a franchisor, can I cancel my franchisee’s agreement?

If the franchisee has breached the contract, you must allow them to remedy it. If they can’t or refuse, you must first provide reasonable written notice with an intention to terminate.

Need Legal Help? We're Here for You

What our clients have to say

We would like to thank Tanya Delkou for her professionalism and expertise in her field. As the national head of large rent roll spanning across different jurisdictions, her advice and insight has been invaluable and I call upon her and her team for all of our agency legal needs. We have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending Baybridge to any real estate business in Australia.

Maria Carlino, National Head of Property Management
As a company, we were looking for a well-respected firm with strong ties to franchising. Baybridge actively supports our company’s growth through their proven franchise systems and legal advice. They have contributed to many of our successes and been vital in assisting us throughout our growth.

Chris Mavris, General Manager
Baybridge has proven to be pivotal on my journey to grow my brand, due to their expertise, urgency and industry knowledge, nationally with global exposure. It's a one-stop-shop for me. They provide constructive support and are instrumental in shaping our legal requirements. I highly recommend Baybridge as they are good at what they do

Ravi Singh, Chief Executive Officer
Thank you, Scott and Rita, for your hard work in achieving such a successful outcome. I truly appreciate your dedication and the effort you put into making it happen.
Robert Biasetto – Ray White

,
A team of honest, trustworthy, reliable and more importantly knowledgeable people who think outside the box and truly care about the business and its people. They do what they promise to do... and that is... they make things happen.

Client,
Baybridge has been the legal partner of choice for Total Tools since the inception of our franchise model, and they have provided support, knowledge and guidance along the way that has been instrumental in the growth of the Total Tools brand within Australia today. We now utilise Baybridge for all our legal requirements, including franchising, litigation, legal documentation and brand management. Baybridge has been a cost-effective legal provider that works in partnership with your team, and I would recommend them as a partner.

Tim Cockayne, Chief Executive Officer
I was facing a licence suspension and had no idea what to do. Baybridge handled everything with professionalism and care. I kept my licence and avoided a hefty fine.

Traffic Offence , Licence Retained
My experience with Baybridge was excellent, this was the first time I had been involved in a legal matter. Scott Thomson was my Lawyer and he was perceptive to every question and explained the entire legal process thoroughly. Scott’s attention to detail played a major role in the positive outcome of my case, Scott reviewed hours of legal documents and presented a strong defence in court. If I didn’t have a professional and dedicated lawyer like Scott, my case could have resulted in a vastly different outcome. I highly recommend Baybridge, and Scott for anyone that wants to be fully supported in their legal matter and have the knowledge that the best team and legal representative will be there to get you the best outcome and guide you through what can be a highly stressful experience.

Rhyse T,
Tanya Delkou is responsive, reliable and at the top of her field within Real Estate law. Baybridge represents value, and quality and is an exceptional service provider. Baybridge has acted for Auctions Live in several important business projects, and we are proud of our association with the firm.

Anthony Nounnis, Director & Co-Founder
I highly recommend the Baybridge team. Tanya Delkou and the team have provided me with legal advice relating to Real Estate matters for over 5 years. They have proven to be extremely knowledgeable, professional, and very prompt in their responses.

Maria Mililio , Head of Property Management
When I was wrongly charged, I felt overwhelmed. The team fought hard and got the charges dropped. Their preparation and courtroom presence were outstanding.

Client,
I recently appealed, and thanks to Scott Thomson's expertise, he achieved an outstanding result that exceeded my expectations. Scott Thomson is most definitely the lawyer you want by your side.

Client,
My experience with Baybridge was excellent, this was the first time I had been involved in a legal matter. Scott's attention to detail played a major role in the positive outcome of my case, Scott reviewed hours of legal documents and presented a strong defence in court. If I didn't have a professional and dedicated lawyer like Scott, my case could have resulted in a vastly different outcome.

Client,
The team at Baybridge and Racha Abboud continue to provide unwavering support, a wealth of knowledge and experience in all aspects franchising and commercial. Their guidance and advice is always highly professional and the time taken to learn the ins and outs of our franchise system and documentation over the years is very much appreciated. JAX looks forward to continuing to work with Baybridge in the future.

Taylor Bruno, Legal Counsel
Thanks to the Baybridge team, for the works completed with our international distribution agreement. Thanks to the team, we now have a rock solid agreements in place and most importantly, one that both parties are happy with. The whole process was a lot less daunting than we thought it might be and we will certainly contact you again for any future work.

Craig Dickson, Managing Director
We cannot thank Baybridge enough for their support and guidance. Their team's expertise and professionalism have been integral in helping us make informed business decisions.

Charlie Hoyek, Founder & Chief Executive Officer
I have been using Baybridge for a while now and they have become a valuable part of our team of advisors. Their in-depth knowledge of not only the law but Residential/Commercial Property. Property matters is a rare combination that makes them an asset to anyone needing advice. They are solutions focused, great communicators and prompt with all matters (not a given in the legal world). I wouldn't hesitate recommending them.

Andrew Colagiuri, Founder & Chief Executive Officer
I, along with my wife Avril, have been working with Marwan Kojok since the late 90s when acquiring our first franchise business. It was a constructive process and, more importantly, the start of a very long-term business relationship that has grown to family friends. We have been well guided and advised over the years by Marwan and his team, and they have been instrumental in assisting us in establishing and building our franchise chain. Our success is measured by the people surrounding us, and we include Marwan and the Baybridge team in that equation. Good, sound, practical and commercial advice is difficult to come by, but this has never been a challenge for Baybridge. We would highly recommend the team.

Tony Melhem, Founder & Chief Executive Officer
"I made a mistake and was caught drink driving. Baybridge kept me informed throughout and got the penalty reduced significantly."

Drink Driving, Penalty Reduced
Baybridge has been a great asset to our business. They are great to work with, good communicators, reliable and attentive. Our partnership with Baybridge has been extremely benefical to our business and our team.

Joshua Nicholls, Founder & Chief Executive Officer
I was referred to Baybridge through a family friend. My need for their legal expertise came about from an issue of misrepresented figures in a business acquisition I was involved in. For nearly six months, I worked closely with Rita Khodeir to navigate the dispute. Throughout this period, Rita and her team, were exceptionally professional in the due diligence, information collection, client communication and consideration of our risk. The outcome that we were able to negotiate for our dispute was nothing short of excellent. I truly know that this could never have been the case without Rita and the team at Baybridge supporting the outcome. If you are need of legal advice or a legal team, I would highly recommend talking with the team at Baybridge.

Lloyd Urquhart, Director
Marwan Kojok and the Baybridge team have serviced the Highland Group for all its real estate needs, whether it be rent roll acquisitions, corporate advisory, shareholder arrangements or just some guidance along the way. We have valued our partnership with Baybridge and the responsive nature and dedication to our business. Their expertise in real estate, franchising, licensing and corporate services has been invaluable to our business and me personally. The busy nature of our business requires a firm that understands our needs, meets our timelines and presents us with valuable legal advice and direction. This is what we expect of our partners and they deliver on all fronts.

David Highland, Chief Executive Officer
I have been delighted to partner with Baybridge in their commitment, dedication, and responsiveness of the entire team. They have been extremely helpful in their expertise, responses and support in our business and with our team.

Oliver's Team,
Baybridge bring a new dimension into the real estate specific legal space. I have worked with Tanya on numerous matters from new business set up, sale and purchases of rent rolls and tricky legal property management matters. She has been my “go to person” for years for the simplified solution to any complicated matter. Their experience is thorough and extensive, and their timing and responses are excellent.

Jo-Anne Black, Director
Working with Racha Abboud and Rita Khodeir and the team at Baybridge has been a tremendous asset for El Jannah. Baybridge are a passionate and dedicated team of legal professionals who are focused on building long-term relationships for their clients. The firm has extensive experience in commercial law and intellectual property. They are commercially focused and responsive to their client’s dynamic needs. Baybridge provides a professional service with a personalised, flexible and cost-effective manner, and our team highly recommends working with them.

Robert Boulos, In House Counsel
Our relationship with Baybridge stems back some 15 years, from a start up franchisee to now a multi office premium brand across the eastern seaboard. My personal relationship with the Managing Partner, Marwan Kojok has been one of professional legal representation but also a close advisor to all our needs. There is no doubt they have offered considerable value to our business and me personally. The dedication, expertise and professional standards they deliver is impeccable. They are one of the partners we say are non-negotiable. Very much appreciate the sage guidance and stewardship of Baybridge and the team over the years.

Dean Mackie, Chief Executive Officer
Fantastic service from the team and I'm so happy with the outcome that Scott was able to get for me. Highly recommend!!

Client,
We have been working with Racha Abboud and the Baybridge team for the past 2 years – we consider them invaluable advisers with respect to our compliance and legal matters. Their dedication and care for our company and team have been very invaluable to us. We highly recommend Racha and Baybridge for anyone seeking a reliable and compassionate legal team to stand by their side.

Lisa Young, Chief Financial Officer
Mad Mex Fresh Mexican has been working with Racha Abboud and Baybridge for many years and we highly recommend them. Their approachable demeanour, quick responses, and unparalleled expertise in the Franchising Code of Conduct have made them invaluable assets to our team. We highly value their advice.

Victoria Head, Franchise Sales Manager
From the very first conversation, Scott provided clear guidance and reassurance during what was a very stressful time for me. His expertise and attention to detail resulted in an outstanding outcome, the matter against me was successfully withdrawn within just three weeks.

Client,
Baybridge has helped support and grows the Top Juice brand to where it is today. They have an excellent team of professionals and would highly recommend them to anyone looking for franchising experts.

Top Juice Team,
I cannot thank Scott Thomson and the team enough for their quick, professional, and highly effective legal support. From the very first conversation, Scott provided clear guidance and reassurance during what was a very stressful time for me. His expertise and attention to detail resulted in an outstanding outcome, the matter against me was successfully withdrawn within just three weeks. I am incredibly grateful for the firm’s dedication and efficiency, and I highly recommend their services to anyone in need of reliable legal representation.

AL,
When I was wrongly charged with assault, I felt overwhelmed. The team fought hard and got the charges dropped. Their preparation and courtroom presence were outstanding.

Assault Charge , Charges Dropped
I have had the pleasure of working with Bianca Sevastos and her team at Baybridge for over 10 years. Throughout this time, their professionalism and genuine approach to building strong, lasting relationships have been invaluable to our business. Baybridge consistently provides sound, strategic advice across all aspects of our business, and their assistance has helped us in streamlining our processes. Their promptness, friendly nature, and commitment to our success make them not only easy to work with but also trusted partners. I highly recommend Baybridge for their legal expertise and a team that is as invested in their clients' success as they are.

Rob Dallimore, Managing Director
I was referred to Scott by a family member, he provided impeccable service and was able to deliver an outcome that I was happy with. I wouldn't be going with anyone else.

Client,