Bird & Bird LLP

Housing a team with a strong regional and international reputation for ‘considerable knowledge and expertise’, Bird & Bird LLP’s franchising team stands out for its work in the food and beverage, hotels, retail, hospitality and leisure industries, while also handling agreements for clients active in the healthcare, green energy, leisure, and gaming sectors. The group is a leading contact for UK independent schools in international expansion matters. The team is headed by Graeme Payne, an expert in domestic and international expansion strategies, who regularly handles the structuring and managing of franchise, distribution, and supply chain arrangements as part of clients’ multichannel growth strategies across global markets. Adept in resolving franchising disputes, Victoria Hobbs boasts deep expertise at all stages of the franchising resolution process, including managing franchisee and licensee relationships, enforcing post-termination restrictions, and navigating complex cross-border disputes. Nick Green is a key name for the structuring and negotiation of domestic and international franchise agreements. James Fowler is another key figure within the group.