Franchising is a dominant business strategy for the distribution of goods and services both domestically and internationally. Franchise operations are increasingly found nested within public and proprietary corporate groups.

All consumer goods and services and most B2B services can be distributed through franchise systems in Australia. This subject examines the nature, development and significance of franchising in the Australian economy and addresses relevant legal and commercial challenges.

The course examines:

• the nature and operation of franchising as a business model;
• the ways the model is evolving;
• the legal implications of the franchisor/ franchisee contract based relationship;
• a range of legal issues in the context of franchising (eg: intellectual property, retail leases, insolvency);
• the regulation of franchising under the Franchising Code of Conduct prescribed under the Competition and Consumer Act (Cth) 2010;
• state level regulation;
• the commercial realities of the franchise relationship;
• the development of franchise systems.