Franchising

What the team is known for

A world leader in global franchising, with a vast international footprint and established client base. Matters are led from its offices in Washington DC, Northern Virginia and Sydney, with added support from its teams across Europe and Latin America. The firm offers:,• Advice for franchisors on international expansion, licensing and distribution work, asset management and joint ventures.,• Expertise in the setting up, transfer and termination of international franchise agreements.,• Experience representing globally-recognised brands, notably within the food and beverage, fashion and fitness industries. ,• Effective coordination with its offices across the globe for multi-jurisdictional matters.

Strengths

A client praises the "commercial astute" team for its "very pragmatic" advice.

Another client highlights the firm's "ability to leverage resources globally for accurate and reliable information."

A further interviewee lauds the "extremely responsive and hard-working" lawyers for their "practical and thoughtful advice," adding: "I felt like I could trust them, and they really were great at taking complex issues and picking them apart for us so that we could understand them and be part of the decision-making process."

Notable practitioners

Bret Lowell assists US-based multinational corporations with overseas expansion into European, Latin American and Middle East markets. The Northern Virginia-based partner also advises on the transfer of franchise rights from the franchisee back to the franchisor.

Erik Wulff handles the franchise and distribution components of outbound and inbound transactions for companies with cross-jurisdictional operations. The Washington, DC-based partner is described as "very analytical" by sources.

Philip Zeidman is a widely recognised and highly respected figure in the international franchising, distribution and licensing space. The Washington, DC-based lawyer's client base comprises public and private companies, as well as trade associations.

Operating out of Northern Virginia, Tao Xu advises globally-recognised clients on their international franchise programmes, including expansion into the Europe, Asia-Pacific and Latin America markets. He also assists foreign franchisors with their entry into the US market. A client enthuses: "He handles a substantial number of our international franchising transactions and is a pleasure to work with: he is proactive, responsive and one of the most knowledgeable and practical franchising lawyers I have worked with."