Franchisors/Foreign Franchisors

I have had the pleasure of working with David Kornhauser for about 2 years now. My experience working with him has been fantastic. Always accessible and very knowledgeable, his work his of the highest quality and his customer service is exceptional. I would (and have) recommend David without any hesitation.

Alex Shtein
Director of Operations
BarBurrito Restaurants Inc.


A franchise creates a broad spectrum of assumptions and expectations on the part of the general public. The consumer has come to expect a sophisticated front-of-shop operation providing a consistently high quality of goods or services regardless of the location they choose to patronize. This is, of course, intentional. It is the mechanism through which brand loyalty and goodwill are generated and maintained.

The average patron gives little thought to how the operation is actually conducted. From a consumer perspective the sole interest is to receive the same quality of product, service, presentation and environment regardless of the business realities of any particular location. The interests of both the franchisor and franchisee in meeting the assumptions and expectation of the consumer clearly define and delimit to a large extent, the business side of what is the common cause.

A franchisor’s expectations and interests regarding the franchise system itself revolve around three fundamental principles:
  1. That all franchisees are required to follow the system of procedures for the operation of the franchised business
  2. That provided a franchisee follows these systems, it should be financially successful
  3. That in having each of its franchisees become financially successful, the franchisor will create synergistic effects, resulting in a value increase for the franchisor’s brand and trademarks
Getting franchisees to buy into, and follow a system, is a challenge faced by every franchisor. Franchising is a complicated undertaking involving many significant business and legal considerations. Our team has the knowledge and insight to guide you through the process of transforming your business into a franchise system. We will apply our cumulative experience to your particular business reality to help you make sound decisions throughout that process and to provide you with the tools you will need to meet each challenge along the way.

We offer the following services for Franchisors:
  • The structure and preparation of franchise agreements and ancillary documentation (i.e. sublease agreements, general security agreements, trade mark license agreements, software license agreements, etc.)
  • The preparation of disclosure documents for new franchisors to comply with the Arthur Wishart Act (Franchise Disclosure) 2000 (Ontario) and other provincial franchise legislation (collectively “Franchise Legislation”)
  • Legal aspects of franchising a business
  • The preparation of disclosure documents for non-Canadian franchisors to comply with Franchise Legislation
  • Advising franchisors with respect to the impact of technology and communication on franchise and distribution relationships, including electronic commerce issues
  • Advising franchisors with respect to other areas of law which impact on the operation of franchise systems, including business law, information technology, employment, leasing, taxation
Franchise Relationship Services
  • Addressing relationship problems and advising on ways to enhance franchise and distribution relationships
  • Defaults, terminations and transfers
  • Establishing, structuring, organizing and advising Franchisor Advisory Councils
  • Establishing, structuring, organizing and advising Franchisee Associations
  • Insolvency issues
  • The obligations imposed on the franchise relationship by Franchise Legislation
Franchise Litigation Services
  • Legal proceedings to obtain or defend claims for injunctive relief to enforce termination rights, restrictive covenants
  • Protection of trade-name, trade-mark, domain name rights and other intellectual property rights
  • Representing franchisors, franchisee associations and franchisees with their disputes through negotiation, mediation, arbitration (all forms of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms) or litigation regarding all aspects of the franchise relationship including breaches of the statutory duty of fair dealing pursuant to Franchise Legislation
  • Representing franchisors and franchisees in class and representative action
If you have questions regarding the purchase, sale, or ownership of a franchise based business, please contact our office at 855-324-3944 or via email at dkornhauser@msmlaw.ca.

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  • Rating: 5
    The Franchising Forum Reviewed by Alex ShteinDirector of Operations, BarBurrito Restaurants Inc.

    I have had the pleasure of working with David Kornhauser for about 2 years now. My experience working with him has been fantastic. Always accessible and very knowledgeable, his work his of the highest quality and his customer service is exceptional. I would (and have) recommend David without any hesitation.
  • Rating:
    Reviewed by Valerie and Dr. Ahmad Belfon

    We would like to thank you for the months and months of support, sound advice and hard work. You are a true credit to the franchising community and to your profession. We will never forget and always be grateful for your help.
  • Rating:
    Reviewed by Valerie and Dr. Ahmad Belfon

    We would like to thank you for assisting us with this closing. You have provided us with excellent legal counsel. Your diligence, attention and patience with us have gone above the call of duty. We are very fortunate to have a lawyer of your caliber, competence and responsiveness working for us. Thank you once again for all you have done.
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