Franchise Agreement.
A franchise agreement lets a franchisee run a business under your brand and system in a defined territory, in return for fees and adherence to your standards. India has no separate franchise law, so the agreement must itself cover territory, fees, brand use, training, audits and exit. We draft and review these from a commercial and tax angle, and refer disputes to advocates.
Typically one to two weeks for the first draft or review, depending on whether an operations manual already exists. Negotiation and the franchisee's own due diligence drive the rest.
A partner — a chartered accountant or company secretary — from the first call to sign-off.
Based on your situation, and fixed in writing before any work starts.
Is this for you?
- Brands expanding through franchisees or master franchisees
- Franchisees reviewing a franchisor's standard agreement before investing
- Foreign franchisors entering India through an Indian partner
What you receive at the end.
- 01Franchise agreement, or a marked-up review of the franchisor's draft
- 02Notes on GST, TDS and FEMA treatment of fees
- 03Execution checklist
- 04Obligations calendar for fees, reporting and renewals
Franchise Agreement, step by step.
Typically one to two weeks for the first draft or review, depending on whether an operations manual already exists. Negotiation and the franchisee's own due diligence drive the rest.
- 1
Model and economics
We understand the franchise model, territory, upfront and ongoing fees, supply arrangements and the support you provide.
- 2
Drafting or review
We draft or vet grant and territory, exclusivity, trademark licence, operations manual, training, audits, non-solicitation, renewal, termination and post-termination clauses.
- 3
Tax and IP alignment
We check GST on franchise fees and royalties, TDS on payments, FEMA rules on royalty remittances to foreign franchisors, and whether your trademark is registered in the relevant classes.
- 4
Negotiation rounds
We support you through comments from the other side and revise the draft.
- 5
Execution and calendar
We confirm stamp duty and signing formalities and hand over a calendar of fee payments, reporting, audits and renewals.
What we need from you.
Don't have everything yet? We send a short checklist after the first call and work with what you have.
- Trademark registration certificates for the brand
- Franchise model, fee structure and territory map
- Operations manual or summary of brand standards
- Details of the franchisee and its promoters
- Existing franchise agreements, if any
The fee depends on your situation. After a short call, the partner who will do the work tells you what's involved and gives you a fixed fee in writing — before any work begins.
- Government fees and statutory charges are billed at actuals.
- When you pay — upfront, in stages or on completion — is agreed in writing with the fee.
Questions about Franchise Agreement.
Ready to discuss Franchise Agreement?
30-minute confidential call — no proposal, no commitment. A partner will write back within one business day.