{"id":150086,"date":"2026-10-07T11:19:58","date_gmt":"2026-10-07T11:19:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.legal500.com\/guides\/?post_type=comparative_guide&#038;p=150086"},"modified":"2026-10-08T12:47:50","modified_gmt":"2026-10-08T12:47:50","slug":"united-kingdom-franchise-licensing","status":"publish","type":"comparative_guide","link":"https:\/\/www.legal500.com\/guides\/chapter\/united-kingdom-franchise-licensing\/","title":{"rendered":"United Kingdom: Franchise &amp; Licensing"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"template":"","class_list":["post-150086","comparative_guide","type-comparative_guide","status-publish","hentry","guides-franchise-licensing","jurisdictions-united-kingdom"],"acf":[],"appp":{"post_list":{"below_title":"<div class=\"guide-author-details\"><span class=\"guide-author\">JMW Solicitors LLP<\/span><span class=\"guide-author-logo\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1\/2026\/09\/JMW-Logo-June-2024-Black.jpg\"\/><\/span><\/div>"},"post_detail":{"above_title":"<div class=\"guide-author-details\"><span class=\"guide-author\">JMW Solicitors LLP<\/span><span class=\"guide-author-logo\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1\/2026\/09\/JMW-Logo-June-2024-Black.jpg\"\/><\/span><\/div>","below_title":"<span class=\"guide-intro\">This country specific Q&amp;A provides an overview of Franchise &amp; Licensing laws and regulations applicable in United Kingdom<\/span><div class=\"guide-content\"><div class=\"filter\">\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" placeholder=\"Search questions and answers...\" class=\"filter-container__search-field\">\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t<ol class=\"custom-counter\">\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Is there a legal definition of a franchise and, if so, what is it?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>No. \u2018Franchise\u2019 is not defined under English Law.<\/p>\n<p>It is commonly accepted that franchising involves the operation, by a franchisee, of a business, in accordance with the franchisor\u2019s system and under the franchisor\u2019s brand.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Are there any structuring considerations for foreign franchisors (e.g. use of master franchisees, local presence requirements)?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>There are different models available to foreign franchisors wishing to franchise their business in the UK including, but not limited to, direct franchising, development franchising, master franchising and joint venture franchising.<\/p>\n<p>There is no requirement for a foreign franchisor to establish a local presence in the UK before franchising its business.<\/p>\n<p>When considering the most appropriate structure, a foreign franchisor should consider:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>the degree of control it wants to retain over the franchise network.<\/li>\n<li>the resources available to support the franchise network;<\/li>\n<li>the extent of its knowledge and experience of the local market;<\/li>\n<li>any tax or regulatory considerations; and<\/li>\n<li>the speed and scale of the proposed rollout.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Are there any requirements that must be met prior to the offer and\/or sale of a franchise? If so, please describe and include any potential consequences for failing to comply.<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>There are no-pre offer conditions that must be met prior to the offer and\/or sale of a franchise in the UK.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Are there any registration requirements for franchisors and\/or franchisees? If so, please describe them and include any potential consequences for failing to comply. Is there an obligation to update existing registrations?  If so, please describe.  Are there any practical or timing implications (e.g. typical registration timelines, delays in practice)?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>There are no franchise-specific registration requirements for franchisors in the UK.<\/p>\n<p>For franchisees, the position will depend on the structure through which it proposes to operate. If the franchisee proposes to operate via a private limited company, then the franchisee must register that company at Companies House. Additionally, the franchisee must register for corporation tax and VAT with His Majesty\u2019s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) before it starts trading and may, subject to the relevant requirements being met, need to register for employment withholding taxes after it starts trading.<\/p>\n<p>In practice, incorporation at Companies House is straightforward and can be completed quickly if the necessary information is available. HMRC registrations should be dealt with before trading begins, as timings can vary depending on the relevant tax registration and the franchisee\u2019s circumstances.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Are there any disclosure requirements (franchise specific or in general)? If so, please describe them (i.e. when and how must disclosure be made (is there a minimum disclosure period before signing or payment (e.g. cooling-off period)), is there a prescribed format, must it be in the local language, do they apply to sales to sub-franchisees) and include any potential consequences for failing to comply.   Is there an obligation to update and\/or repeat disclosure (for example in the event that the parties enter into an amendment to the franchise agreement or on renewal)? What are the consequences of late or incomplete disclosure?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>There are no mandatory disclosure requirements in the UK.<\/p>\n<p>However, Article 3.3 of the European Code of Ethics for Franchising (which has been adopted by the British Franchise Association \u2013 the BFA) requires franchisors to provide \u2018full and accurate written disclosure of all information material to the [franchise] relationship\u2019 to franchisees \u2018within a reasonable time prior to the execution\u2019 of the relevant franchise documents including, but not limited to, the franchise agreement. That being the case, the franchisor may decide to provide franchisees with a disclosure document that contains accurate information about the franchise, such as its past financial performance and possible projections. This document is one way in which the franchisor may try to minimise any risk associated with misrepresentation (please see question 7 for more information).<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">If the franchisee intends to use a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to operate each franchised outlet, is it sufficient to make disclosure to the SPVs' parent company or must disclosure be made to each individual SPV franchisee?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>As noted in our response to question 5, there are no mandatory disclosure requirements in the UK. If a franchisor chooses to provide disclosure, including to comply with the BFA Code of Ethics, it should ensure that disclosure is made to the entity that will enter into the franchise agreement and operate the franchised outlet.<\/p>\n<p>Accordingly, where each franchised outlet will be operated by a separate SPV franchisee, disclosure should generally be made to each relevant SPV, rather than only to the SPVs\u2019 parent company. In practice, the franchisor may also decide to provide the same disclosure pack to the parent company, particularly where it is involved in the commercial negotiations or provides a guarantee, but disclosure to the parent alone is unlikely to be of value as regards a misrepresentation claim if the SPVs are the contracting franchisees.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What actions can a franchisee take in the event of mis-selling by the franchisor?  What are the main legal grounds for such claims (e.g. misrepresentation, statutory disclosure breaches, unfair commercial practices)?  To what extent can liability be excluded or limited by non-reliance or entire agreement clauses or disclaimers in the franchise agreement, disclosure document or sales material?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p><u>Misrepresentation<\/u><\/p>\n<p>In the event of mis-selling by a franchisor, a franchisee may try to rely on misrepresentation.<\/p>\n<p>Misrepresentation claims are often complicated by \u2018non-reliance\u2019 clauses, which are commonly included in franchise agreements. These clauses typically require the franchisee to acknowledge that it has not relied on any statement or representation not expressly set out in the franchise agreement. Their purpose is to reduce the franchisor\u2019s exposure for pre-contractual statements made during the sales process. However, non-reliance clauses are not always effective. They cannot exclude liability for fraudulent misrepresentation, and any attempt to exclude or restrict liability for misrepresentation will need to satisfy the reasonableness test under the Misrepresentation Act 1967.<\/p>\n<p>If a misrepresentation claim is successful, the franchisee may seek recission of the franchise agreement. Rescission would result in the franchise agreement being set aside and the franchisor and franchisee being put back in the position they were in before the contract was entered into. The franchisee may also seek damages. As regards damages, the basis on which damages are assessed will depend on the type of misrepresentation alleged, including whether it was fraudulent, negligent or innocent. In the case of negligent misrepresentation under the Misrepresentation Act 1967.<\/p>\n<p><u>Statutory non-disclosure breaches<\/u><\/p>\n<p>N\/A as there are no mandatory disclosure requirements in the UK.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Would it be legal to issue a franchise agreement on a non-negotiable, \"take it or leave it\", basis?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Yes, and franchise agreements are often offered on a \u2018take it or leave it\u2019 basis. This is to ensure consistency across the franchise network and to protect the franchisor\u2019s brand and system.<\/p>\n<p>The fact that the franchise agreement is non-negotiable does not mean that all of its terms will be automatically enforceable. For example, any exclusion or limitation of liability clauses (or other provisions seeking to restrict the franchisee\u2019s rights and remedies) may still be subject to scrutiny under the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977 and, where relevant, the Misrepresentation Act 1967 and any post-term restrictions (such as non-compete clauses and non-solicitation clauses) will be subject to the doctrine of the restraint of trade.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">How are trademarks, know-how, trade secrets and copyright protected in your country?  Are there any specific requirements or risks relating to the licensing of know-how and trade secrets in a franchise context?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p><u>Trade marks and copyright<\/u><\/p>\n<p>Trade marks may be protected in the UK by way of registration at the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO). A registered trade mark gives the proprietor the exclusive right to use the mark in relation to the goods and\/or services for which it is registered and to prevent unauthorised use by third parties. We would expect the franchisor\u2019s brand name and logo to be registered trade marks.<\/p>\n<p>Unregistered trade marks may also be protected through the common law of passing off. This is complex and requires the claimant (the person claiming passing off) to prove goodwill, misrepresentation and damage.<\/p>\n<p>Copyright arises automatically in the UK when an original work is created. The creator of that original work will be the owner of that copyright, so, for example, if the operations manual has been created by the franchisor, the franchisor will own the copyright in it. There is no copyright system in the UK.<\/p>\n<p><u>Trade secrets and know-how<\/u><\/p>\n<p>Trade secrets and know-how are protected in the UK through the law of confidence and, where applicable, the Trade Secrets (Enforcement, etc.) Regulations 2018. We would also expect the franchise agreement to contain confidentiality obligations restricting the franchisee\u2019s use and disclosure of the franchisor\u2019s confidential information (which will include know-how).<\/p>\n<p><u>Licensing <\/u><\/p>\n<p>There are no requirements relating to the licensing of know-how and trade secrets in a franchise context. However, the main risk is loss of protection if the information is disclosed too widely or without adequate confidentiality controls. The franchise agreement should therefore clearly define the relevant know-how and confidential information, restrict its use to the operation of the franchised outlet, limit onward disclosure and require confidentiality obligations to continue after termination.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Are there any franchise specific laws governing the ongoing relationship between franchisor and franchisee? If so, please describe them, including any terms that are required to be included within the franchise agreement.<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>There are no franchise-specific laws which govern the ongoing relationship between franchisor and franchisee under English law. The franchise relationship is principally governed by the terms of the franchise agreement, as well as generally applicable English Law.<\/p>\n<p>A franchisor which is a member of the BFA (please see question 28 for more information on the BFA) is required to comply with the BFA rules and standards including the BFA Code of Ethics (the Code). The Code is not legislation, but it requires a member franchisor to give certain commitments, such as providing a franchisee with initial training and continuing commercial and\/or technical assistance during the entire life of the agreement, as well as investing appropriately in promoting the brand, and engaging in research and innovation to ensure the long-term development of the franchised business concept.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Are there any aspects of competition law that apply to the franchise transaction (i.e. is it permissible to prohibit online sales or use of online marketplaces (e.g. Amazon, third-party platforms), insist on exclusive supply, fix or set maximum retail prices, operate dual distribution\/hybrid franchisor models)? If applicable, provide an overview of the relevant competition laws.<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Franchise agreements (in writing and in practice) must comply with the requirements of competition law, as set out in the Competition Act 1998. Franchise agreements generally benefit from the vertical agreements block exemption (as set out in the Competition Act 1998 (Vertical Agreements Block Exemption) Order 2022 (VABEO) provided the relevant conditions are satisfied.<\/p>\n<p>It is established in case law that certain contractual restrictions, such as those concerned with protecting the franchisor\u2019s know-how and intellectual property, and maintaining reputation and identity across the network, are necessary to the franchise relationship and may not be anticompetitive, depending on their nature and scope.<\/p>\n<p>Restriction on the ability of a franchisee to determine its own prices, including by setting fixed or minimum prices, is generally prohibited as a hardcore restriction. A franchisor may recommend prices to coordinate short-term sale promotions, however this should be assessed on a case-by-case basis to ensure that this does not result in resale price maintenance. Maximum or recommended sale prices may be permitted, provided they do not in practice operate as a fixed or minimum price.<\/p>\n<p>Restrictions prohibiting a franchisee from actively selling into territories allocated to another franchisee in the network may be acceptable. Restrictions on the use of online marketplaces are acceptable, provided that other online channels remain available. It is not generally permissible to prohibit all online presence. Please see question 20 for more information on online sales and e-commerce.<\/p>\n<p>Exclusive supply obligations (including requirements to purchase over 80% of overall products from the franchisor or other designated suppliers) and non-compete obligations may be permissible provided their duration does not exceed five years. Exceptions may apply where the franchisor owns the premises of the franchised business.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Are there any ESG, compliance or supply chain-related legal requirements impacting franchise systems?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Reporting and disclosure requirements vary depending on the size of the company. A company operating within a franchise system must, like any other, comply with applicable ESG, compliance and supply chain-related legal requirements where the relevant requirements and thresholds are met.<\/p>\n<p>Many businesses address ESG through internal policies, and an individual franchisor may have additional internal or sector-specific reporting requirements. If this is the case, this should be stated in the franchise agreement.<\/p>\n<p>Where the relevant statutory requirements are met, reporting and compliance requirements under English law may include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Companies Act 2006 reporting and accounting requirements, including climate-related financial disclosures, and a section 172(1) statement;<\/li>\n<li>publishing an annual gender pay gap report;<\/li>\n<li>publishing an annual modern slavery statement; and<\/li>\n<li>compliance with the Bribery Act 2010.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Certain disclosures may also be required under the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive and\/or the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive by certain EU and non-EU companies if they are operating in the EU, subject to the statutory requirements and applicable thresholds being met by the entity in question.<\/p>\n<p>Any advertising must also comply with advertising and consumer laws.<\/p>\n<p>In cases of environmental or health and safety offences, criminal enforcement and sanctions are also enforceable by various agencies and local authorities.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Are in-term non-compete and non-solicitation clauses enforceable and are there any limitations on the franchisor's ability to impose and enforce them?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>In-term non-compete and non-solicitation clauses are common in franchise agreements.<\/p>\n<p>At common law, a restrictive covenant will generally only be enforceable to the extent that it protects a legitimate business interest, and its reasonable in scope, duration and geographical reach, having regard to the interests of the parties and the public interest. If it is too wide, it will be unenforceable.<\/p>\n<p>Please see question 11 for more information on the effect of competition law on restraint of trade clauses.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Is there an obligation (express or implied) to deal in good faith in franchise relationships?  If so, what practical effects does this have on the relationship between franchisor and franchisee?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>No, English law does not establish a general obligation to deal in good faith in all franchise relationships.<\/p>\n<p>An obligation of good faith may arise from an express term, though this is not commonly included in a franchise agreement. In certain limited circumstances, the courts have been willing to imply a duty of good faith into some long-term, so-called \u2018relational; franchise agreements, though the courts have emphasised that this is highly fact-specific and that a general duty of good faith should not be implied into all franchise agreements.<\/p>\n<p>The common law <em>Braganza<\/em> duty may also constrain the exercise of certain contractual discretions by implying a duty that a relevant contractual discretion must not be exercised arbitrarily, capriciously, irrationally or for an improper purpose.<\/p>\n<p>Whilst not a legislative requirement, where the parties are members of the BFA, they must also comply with the BFA ethical standards, which include standards relating to good faith and fair dealing (please see question 28 for more information on the BFA).<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Are there any employment or labour law considerations that are relevant to the franchise relationship? Is there a risk that the staff of the franchisee could be deemed to be the employees of the franchisor? What level of operational control may a franchisor exercise without creating employment or agency risk?  What steps can be taken to mitigate this risk?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>There is no franchise-specific employment legislation in English law. Generally, a franchisee will operate an independent business and be responsible for employing and managing its own staff.<\/p>\n<p>However, the courts and tribunals will determine employment or worker status by examining the contractual arrangements and the practical reality of the relationship. Risks may arise if a franchisor exercises supervision, direction and control over employment-related matters rather than merely protecting its brand, system and operational standards. Factors that may increase this risk include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>direct involvement in hiring decisions;<\/li>\n<li>approving or rejecting individual candidates;<\/li>\n<li>deciding whether an individual should pass any probationary period;<\/li>\n<li>directing the day-to-day activities of franchisee employees; and<\/li>\n<li>directing disciplinary processes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>To mitigate this risk, the franchisor should ensure that their franchise agreements and general practices draw a clear distinction between the franchisor requiring franchisees to comply with and enforce brand standards, operational procedures, quality and customer service standards, whilst allowing the franchisee to independently conduct its responsibilities as an employer of its staff.<\/p>\n<p>It is common for franchise agreements to expressly address the employment status of the parties. Whilst this can help to mitigate misclassification risks, the day to day interaction with the relevant individual(s) will be equally relevant.<\/p>\n<p>Franchise arrangements may also give rise to situations in which the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations (TUPE) may apply, particularly on termination and\/or transfer of the franchise agreement back to the franchisor or to another franchisee. Franchise agreements should contain provisions allocating responsibility for employee liabilities in the event that TUPE may apply and requiring cooperation of the parties in respect of any TUPE processes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Is there a risk that a franchisee could be deemed to be the commercial agent of the franchisor? What steps can be taken to mitigate this risk?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>A properly drafted franchise agreement is unlikely to be characterised as a commercial agency relationship. A franchisee will generally operate as an independent business on its own account and have no authority to conclude contracts on behalf of the franchisor.<\/p>\n<p>It is common for franchise agreements to expressly address the legal status and relationship of the parties. However, the courts will determine the parties\u2019 legal status and relationship based on their conduct and the substance of the arrangement in practice, not just what the contract states.<\/p>\n<p>The risk is reduced by factors such as:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>the franchise agreement stating that the parties are independent and that the franchisee has no authority to bind the franchisor;<\/li>\n<li>the franchisee trading on its own account, notwithstanding the requirements to comply with the franchisor\u2019s system;<\/li>\n<li>customer contracts are entered into by the franchisee, not the franchisor;<\/li>\n<li>the franchisee bears the commercial risk of its operations;<\/li>\n<li>the franchisee setting its own employment arrangements.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The franchisor should also avoid conduct that could create the appearance that the franchisee has authority to act on the franchisor\u2019s behalf.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Are there any laws and regulations that affect the nature and payment of royalties to a foreign franchisor and\/or how much interest can be charged? Are there any requirements for payments in connection with the franchise agreement to be made in the local currency?  Are there any restrictions on structuring payments (e.g. royalties vs service fees vs mark-ups)?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>There are no franchise-specific restrictions concerning the amount of royalties that a franchisor may charge or how royalties may be structured. Parties are therefore generally free to agree royalty arrangements in the franchise agreement. However, other laws may affect royalty payments to a foreign franchisor, such as UK withholding tax rules on royalties (please see question 19 for more information on withholding tax).<\/p>\n<p>Parties are generally free to agree a contractual rate of interest. A statutory interest rate of 8% above the Bank of England base rate may be implied into business-to-business contracts for goods or services, though commercial parties will commonly choose to override this by specifying a separate interest rate in the contract which is lower than the statutory rate.<\/p>\n<p>The UK Government has announced proposed reforms under which statutory late-payment interest would become mandatory for contracts within its scope. The status and final terms of such reforms remain to be finalised.<\/p>\n<p>There are no regulatory requirements for payments in connection with the franchise agreement to be made in the local currency.<\/p>\n<p>There are no franchise-specific restrictions requiring payments to be structured as royalties, service fees, mark-ups or in any other particular form. However, the legal and tax treatment of a payment may vary depending on its nature.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Is it possible to impose contractual penalties on franchisees for breaches of restrictive covenants etc.? If so, what requirements must be met in order for such penalties to be enforceable?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Penalties for breach are only enforceable under English law to the extent that they represent a genuine pre-estimate of the damage that the benefitting party is likely to suffer. If a penalty clause is found to be unenforceable, the benefitting party can still receive damages in line with normal parameters.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What tax considerations are relevant to franchisors and franchisees? Are franchise royalties subject to withholding tax?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>There are no franchise-specific tax rules under English law, though franchisor and franchisee alike will need to comply with general laws and regulations concerning tax, including corporation tax, VAT, and withholding tax obligations.<\/p>\n<p>Where the franchisor is based outside of the UK, royalty payments may be subject to withholding tax. The applicable rate may be reduced or eliminated under an applicable double taxation agreement, subject to the relevant conditions being satisfied along with any procedural requirements.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">How is e-commerce regulated and does this have any specific implications on the relationship between franchisor and franchisee?  For example, can franchisees be prohibited or restricted in any way from using e-commerce in their franchise businesses?  Are there any rules regarding online sales within or outside a franchisee\u2019s territory?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The primary legislation governing e-commerce in the UK includes the Electronic Commerce Regulations 2002, the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013, the Provision of Services Regulations 2009, and the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024.<\/p>\n<p>Both franchisee and franchisor must also comply with general consumer law where they are selling to consumers online, as well as data protection law (including the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations), and the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) Code in relation to advertising and marketing.<\/p>\n<p>Restrictions seeking to prevent a franchisee from all online presence are likely to fall foul of competition law. However, not every restriction relating to e-commerce is prohibited. A franchisor may generally impose proportionate quality controls and requirements for franchisees to comply with brand guidelines in respect of online sales, and may prohibit the use of online marketplaces.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What are the applicable data protection laws and do they have any specific implications for the franchisor\/franchisee relationship?   In particular, what are the key data protection considerations in a franchise relationship, including: (a) allocation of controller\/processor roles; (b) use of customer databases; (c) cross-border data transfers; and (d) marketing and CRM activities?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The UK\u2019s data protection laws comprise:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>the UK GDPR;<\/li>\n<li>the Data Protection Act 2018;<\/li>\n<li>the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003; and<\/li>\n<li>the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Both franchisor and franchisee are likely to process personal data as part of the franchised business and must each comply with their obligations under the applicable data protection laws.<\/p>\n<p>The franchise agreement should contain appropriate data protection clauses, including in relation to the role of the franchisee and franchisor in protecting the relevant personal data. Commonly, franchisee and franchisor will be independent controllers of personal data handled in the course of their businesses, though there may be circumstances where one party is processing data on behalf of the other in the capacity of a processor. This is fact-dependent and must be assessed on a case-by-case basis.<\/p>\n<p>Certain personal data may be shared between the franchisor and franchisee, for example customer databases. Where this is the case, the parties must ensure that any sharing or transfer of personal data is done in compliance with the applicable data protection laws.<\/p>\n<p>Where either party makes a restricted transfer of personal data outside of the UK, it must ensure that the transfer is permitted by applicable data protection laws and is covered by a UK adequacy decision or is made under appropriate safeguards or an applicable exception. Appropriate safeguards may include the UK International Data Transfer Agreement, or the UK Addendum to the EU Standard Contractual Clauses, together with any required transfer risk assessment.<\/p>\n<p>Electronic marketing, and cookies or similar technologies must also be compliant with the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Is the franchisor permitted to restrict the transfer of (a) the franchisee's rights and obligations under the franchise agreement or (b) the ownership interests in the franchisee?  Can the franchisor impose conditions on transfers (e.g. approval rights, fees, qualification criteria)?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Yes, franchise agreements commonly restrict and\/or impose conditions on the assignment or transfer of the franchisee\u2019s rights and obligations under the agreement, as well as to any changes in the ownership interests in the franchisee.<\/p>\n<p>Typically, the franchisee is not permitted to transfer its rights or obligations under the franchise agreement, without the franchisor\u2019s consent.<\/p>\n<p>Agreements commonly include restrictions and notification requirements around the sale of shares in the franchisee company, as well as clear processes and restrictions around sale of the franchised business.<\/p>\n<p>Usually, the franchisor will have an option to buy back the franchisee\u2019s business, and if it does not wish to do so, to approve any third party buyer. Typically the contract will provide that any prospective buyer must meet certain criteria (and often those criteria are set out in the Operations Manual).<\/p>\n<p>The franchise agreement may also require the franchisee to cover certain of the franchisor\u2019s costs in relation to vetting any proposed buyer or other administrative costs in relation to a transfer of the franchised business.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">To what extent can a franchisor impose audit rights, reporting obligations, and operational controls on a franchisee, and what legal limits apply?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Franchisors typically have broad discretion to impose audit rights, reporting obligations or operational controls on a franchisee, and indeed, extensive imposition of such controls is common in franchise systems. Such controls are regarded as key to protecting the brand and reputation of the franchised business.<\/p>\n<p>These rights must nevertheless be exercised in accordance with any relevant provisions in the franchise agreement.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Does a franchisee have a right to request a renewal on expiration of the initial term? In what circumstances can a franchisor refuse to renew a franchise agreement? If the franchise agreement is not renewed or it if it terminates or expires, is the franchisee entitled to compensation? If so, under what circumstances and how is the compensation payment calculated?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>A franchisee has no statutory or common law right to request a renewal. Any entitlement or option to renew will depend on the franchise agreement. Commonly, the franchise agreement will contain the option of at least one renewal term, however there is no legal requirement for this and renewal terms may be subject to the franchisee meeting conditions stipulated in the contract and\/or the discretion of the franchisor.<\/p>\n<p>The franchisor may refuse renewal where no contractual renewal right exists, or where the franchisee has failed to satisfy the contractual conditions.<\/p>\n<p>A franchisee does not typically have an entitlement to compensation solely because the franchise agreement is terminated, expires, or is not renewed. It may, however, have remedies where the franchisor acts in breach of the contract or another applicable legal duty.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Are there any mandatory termination rights which may override any contractual termination rights? Is there a minimum notice period that the parties must adhere to?  Are there any requirements regarding notice periods and opportunities to remedy breaches before termination?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>English law does not prescribe a general minimum notice period or cure period for business-to-business contracts. These points should be addressed in the franchise agreement. However, there are certain common law termination rights which may apply in addition to the express termination provisions, or if the franchise agreement is silent on the question of termination.<\/p>\n<p>Contractual termination rights coexist with the common law right to terminate for repudiatory breach. Where a contract has no specified termination provisions and would otherwise continue indefinitely, a right to terminate on reasonable notice is implied by English law. A contract can also automatically come to an end if a party is able to establish that the contract has been frustrated, i.e. there has been an external, no-fault, event which renders a party\u2019s performance of its obligations impossible or radically different from what was intended.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Are there any intangible assets in the franchisee's business which the franchisee can claim ownership of on expiry or termination, e.g. customer data, local goodwill, etc.<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Whether a franchisee has rights in intangible assets following termination or expiry of the franchise agreement will depend on its contractual terms. The allocation and treatment of intangible assets, including customer data and goodwill, should be addressed in the franchise agreement to ensure that all parties are clear as to the ownership of such assets on termination or expiry of the agreement.<\/p>\n<p>Intellectual property licensed by the franchisor will ordinarily remain the property of the franchisor or the relevant rights holder. The franchisee will usually be required to cease using all such intellectual property on termination or expiry of the agreement.<\/p>\n<p>Commonly, the agreement will require customer data to be handed over to and retained by the franchisor. To the extent that a transfer of such data is required, this must be considered along with possible intellectual property rights (including database rights) and aligned with requirements of applicable data protection laws.<\/p>\n<p>Any goodwill generated by the franchised business will generally attach to the brand and belong to the franchisor or other rights holder.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What post-termination obligations are typically enforceable (e.g. de-branding, return of confidential information, non-compete, non-solicitation) and how readily are such post-term restrictions enforced in practice?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>English law grants parties to a contract a broad degree of freedom to determine their contract terms. Post-termination obligations set out in a franchise agreement are therefore generally enforceable, subject to compliance with other applicable laws.<\/p>\n<p>The enforceability of post-term non-compete and non-solicitation clauses will be subject to the restraint of trade doctrine and competition law. Please see question 11 for more information on competition law.<\/p>\n<p>De-branding obligations and requirements to cease using the franchisor\u2019s intellectual property are common, and generally enforceable provided they are clearly drafted. Obligations to return or destroy confidential information and materials are also common and generally enforceable.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Is there a national franchising association? Is membership required?  If not, is membership commercially advisable? What are the additional obligations of the national franchising association?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Yes, the BFA.<\/p>\n<p>Membership is not required for franchisors or franchisees.<\/p>\n<p>However, membership may be commercially advisable, particularly for franchisors. BFA membership is often regarded as a mark of credibility and may reassure prospective franchisees, lenders and other stakeholders that the franchisor is committed to ethical and sustainable franchising. BFA members are required to comply with the BFA\u2019s rules and standards, including the BFA Code of Ethics.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Are foreign franchisors treated differently to domestic franchisors? Does national law\/regulation impose any debt\/equity restrictions?  Are there any restrictions on the capital structure of a company incorporated in your country with a foreign parent (thin capitalisation rules)?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>No, foreign franchisors and domestic franchisors are generally treated the same.<\/p>\n<p>English Law does not impose franchise-specific debt\/equity restrictions on franchisors or franchisees. Similarly, there are no franchise-specific restrictions on the capital structure of a UK-incorporated company with a foreign parent.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Must the franchise agreement be governed by local law?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The franchisor and franchisee can choose which law governs the franchise agreement.<\/p>\n<p>If the parties choose a law that is not English Law, that choice will generally be respected by the English courts. However, it may be subject to any overriding mandatory provisions of English Law and public policy considerations, particularly where the franchise is operated in England and Wales.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What dispute resolution procedures are available to franchisors and franchisees?  Are there any advantages to out of court procedures such as arbitration versus litigation, in particular if the franchise agreement is subject to a foreign governing law?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Franchisors and franchisees may use the usual dispute resolution procedures available under English law, including court proceedings, arbitration and alternative dispute resolution procedures such as mediation.<\/p>\n<p>There is no requirement to mediate before commencing litigation or arbitration. However, Article 2.4 v. of the European Code of Ethics for Franchising states that the franchisor and franchisee should, where appropriate, and where they have failed to resolve a dispute through direct negotiation, seek in good faith to mediate before commencing court proceedings. Mediation may be particularly attractive to franchisees because it allows the franchisee\u2019s grievances to be heard at significantly lower cost than formal court proceedings. The BFA offers access to a mediation scheme.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Must the franchise agreement and disclosure documents be in the local language?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>There is no requirement for the franchise agreement to be in English.<\/p>\n<p>However, Article 5.3 of the European Code of Ethics for Franchising states that the franchise agreement should be \u2018in the official language of the country the Individual Franchisee is established in or in a language in which the Franchisee formally declares itself competent\u2019<em>. <\/em>That being the case, where the franchisee is not a native English speaker, it would also be sensible to ensure that the franchisee confirms it understands the language of the franchise agreement, or that an appropriate translation is provided.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Is it possible to sign the franchise agreement using an electronic signature (rather than a wet ink signature)?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Yes, the franchise agreement may be signed electronically, through platforms such as DocuSign or Adobe.<\/p>\n<p>However, if the franchise agreement contains a personal guarantee, the guarantee will typically need to be executed as a deed. In that case, the guarantor\u2019s signature will need to be witnessed. Electronic signing can still be used for deeds, but the witness should be physically present when the signatory signs and should then attest the signature.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Do you foresee any significant commercial or legal developments that might impact on franchise relationships over the next year or so?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>There are no major legal developments expected in the next year that are likely to have an impact on franchise relationships. However, franchisors and franchisees should continue to monitor developments, as the franchise sector has recently been subject to increased political and parliamentary scrutiny. In January 2026, Keir Starmer said that he would \u201clook closely\u201d at an ongoing court case involving franchisees to see if \u201cmore can be done\u201d to protect those operating franchises. However, nothing further has come of this as of yet.<\/p>\n<p>More generally, franchise relationships are likely to continue to be affected by broader commercial pressures, including inflationary pressures, increased operating costs, changing consumer behaviour, the growth of digital and delivery channels and AI.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n<div class=\"word-count-hidden\" style=\"display:none;\">Estimated word count: <span class=\"word-count\">6044<\/span><\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t<\/ol>\r\n\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/twentyseventeen\/src\/jquery\/components\/filter-guides.js\" async><\/script><\/div>"}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comparative_guide\/150086","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comparative_guide"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/comparative_guide"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=150086"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}