DLA Piper houses a team of UK practitioners who work in conjunction with colleagues across EMEA and the US to assist a wide-ranging client base, including those active in the hotel, food and beverage, retail, hospitality, and leisure industries with international franchise expansion matters. Led by Leeds-based Matthew Duncombe, a seasoned transactional lawyer, the team benefits from his experience in the development and expansion of franchise systems, franchise agreements, and dispute resolution for a high-profile client base. Other notable names in the team are Lee Harding, a London-based employment specialist, and Manchester’s commercial expert David Booth.
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Key clients
- Hyatt International Corporation
- Hung Yen Investment and Development
- Transport for Greater Manchester
- Yo! Sushi
- Dunkin Donuts
- Inspire Brands LLC
- GAP
- International Resources Group
- Hertz
- Intercontinental Hotels Group
Work highlights
Advised an American global private-equity and investment company on the joint venture arrangements with the Baupost Group and its acquisition of 33 Marriott hotels in the United Kingdom from the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority.
Advised Hung Yen Hospitality, a subsidiary of Kinh Bac City Development Holding Corporation, on its collaboration with The Trump Organization.
Advised GAP on various franchising and commercial contracting agreements, including their joint venture with Next in the UK, franchise partner insolvency in France, distribution agreements in Argentina and Brazil, JV and franchise arrangements in India, and issues related to product manufacture, importation, trademark infringement, and counterfeiting.
Practice head
Matthew Duncombe
Other key lawyers
Lee Harding; David Booth