Direct Franchise Agreement Template for Germany

Create a bespoke document in minutes,  or upload and review your own.

4.6 / 5
4.8 / 5

Let's create your Direct Franchise Agreement

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Get your first 2 documents free

Your data doesn't train Genie's AI

You keep IP ownership of your information

Key Requirements PROMPT example:

Direct Franchise Agreement

"I need a Direct Franchise Agreement under German law for my high-end restaurant chain, granting exclusive territorial rights in Bavaria, with strict quality control provisions and the option for the franchisee to open three locations by March 2025."

Document background
This Direct Franchise Agreement template is designed for use in the German market when establishing a direct franchise relationship between a franchisor and a single-unit franchisee. It incorporates essential elements required under German law, including comprehensive pre-contractual disclosure requirements, competition law compliance, and data protection provisions aligned with GDPR. The document is particularly relevant for businesses expanding through franchising in Germany or German companies establishing domestic franchise systems. It includes detailed provisions for system standards, operational requirements, quality control, and protection of intellectual property rights, while ensuring compliance with German commercial law principles. The agreement should be used when establishing a new franchise relationship or updating existing franchise arrangements to ensure compliance with current German legal requirements.
Suggested Sections

1. Parties: Identification of franchisor and franchisee with full legal details

2. Background: Description of the franchise system, business concept, and purpose of the agreement

3. Definitions: Comprehensive definitions of terms used throughout the agreement

4. Grant of Franchise: Scope of franchise rights, territory, and exclusivity provisions

5. Term and Renewal: Duration of the agreement and conditions for renewal

6. Franchise Fees: Initial franchise fee, ongoing royalties, and payment terms

7. Franchisor's Obligations: Support, training, and ongoing assistance obligations

8. Franchisee's Obligations: Operational requirements, compliance with system standards

9. Intellectual Property Rights: Usage of trademarks, patents, copyright, and know-how

10. Quality Control: Standards, inspections, and compliance requirements

11. Marketing and Advertising: Marketing obligations, fees, and approval processes

12. Confidentiality: Protection of confidential information and trade secrets

13. Data Protection: GDPR compliance and data processing obligations

14. Non-Competition: During-term and post-term competition restrictions

15. Transfer and Assignment: Rules for selling or transferring the franchise

16. Termination: Termination grounds and procedures

17. Post-Termination Obligations: Obligations after agreement ends

18. Governing Law and Jurisdiction: Choice of German law and jurisdiction provisions

Optional Sections

1. Multi-Unit Development Rights: Include when franchisee has rights to develop multiple units

2. E-Commerce Rights: Include when online sales are permitted or restricted

3. Equipment and Inventory Requirements: Include when specific supplier relationships exist

4. Minimum Performance Requirements: Include when setting specific performance targets

5. Training Fee Structure: Include when training fees are separate from franchise fees

6. Sub-Franchising Rights: Include if sub-franchising is permitted

7. Force Majeure: Include detailed force majeure provisions if desired

8. Alternative Dispute Resolution: Include if mediation/arbitration is preferred

9. Guarantee: Include when personal guarantees are required

Suggested Schedules

1. Schedule 1 - The Manual: Reference to confidential operations manual contents

2. Schedule 2 - Initial Training Program: Details of required initial training

3. Schedule 3 - Products and Services: Approved products and services specification

4. Schedule 4 - Territory Description: Detailed description of granted territory

5. Schedule 5 - Intellectual Property: List of trademarks and other IP rights

6. Schedule 6 - Initial Investment: Breakdown of required initial investment

7. Schedule 7 - Technical Requirements: IT systems and technical specifications

8. Schedule 8 - Design Standards: Store design and corporate identity requirements

9. Appendix A - Pre-Contractual Disclosure: Mandatory disclosure information under German law

10. Appendix B - Data Processing Agreement: GDPR-compliant data processing terms

Authors

Alex Denne

Head of Growth (Open Source Law) @ Genie AI | 3 x UCL-Certified in Contract Law & Drafting | 4+ Years Managing 1M+ Legal Documents | Serial Founder & Legal AI Author

Relevant legal definitions
Clauses
Relevant Industries

Food & Beverage

Retail

Hospitality

Personal Services

Business Services

Automotive

Education & Training

Health & Fitness

Real Estate

Technology Services

Relevant Teams

Legal

Operations

Commercial

Business Development

Compliance

Brand Management

Training

Quality Assurance

Finance

Marketing

Relevant Roles

Legal Counsel

Franchise Development Manager

Business Development Director

Operations Director

Commercial Director

Chief Executive Officer

Chief Legal Officer

Franchise Operations Manager

Compliance Officer

Brand Manager

Territory Manager

Training Manager

Quality Assurance Manager

Contract Manager

Industries
German Civil Code (Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch - BGB): Primary source for contract law principles, including formation, performance, and termination of contracts, good faith principles (§242 BGB), and general terms and conditions regulations
German Commercial Code (Handelsgesetzbuch - HGB): Governs commercial relationships and transactions between businesses, including commercial agency provisions which may be applied analogously to franchise relationships
Act Against Unfair Competition (Gesetz gegen den unlauteren Wettbewerb - UWG): Regulates fair competition practices and protects against unfair business practices, particularly relevant for territorial restrictions and non-compete clauses
EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and German Federal Data Protection Act (BDSG): Govern the collection, processing, and transfer of personal data between franchisor and franchisee
German Trademark Act (Markengesetz - MarkenG): Regulates the protection and licensing of trademarks, which is essential for franchise agreements
EU Block Exemption Regulation for Vertical Agreements (Vertical BER): Provides framework for vertical agreements including franchise agreements, particularly regarding territorial restrictions and competition aspects
German Act on the Implementation of the EU General Data Protection Regulation: National implementation of GDPR requirements, specific to German context
Pre-Contractual Disclosure Requirements: While not a specific law, German case law has established requirements for pre-contractual information disclosure in franchise relationships
German Trade Secret Act (Geschäftsgeheimnisgesetz - GeschGehG): Protects confidential business information and know-how transferred in franchise relationships
Teams

Employer, Employee, Start Date, Job Title, Department, Location, Probationary Period, Notice Period, Salary, Overtime, Vacation Pay, Statutory Holidays, Benefits, Bonus, Expenses, Working Hours, Rest Breaks,  Leaves of Absence, Confidentiality, Intellectual Property, Non-Solicitation, Non-Competition, Code of Conduct, Termination,  Severance Pay, Governing Law, Entire Agreemen

Find the exact document you need

Master Franchise License

A German law-governed agreement granting exclusive rights to develop and manage a franchise system within a territory, including rights to sub-franchise and establish a network of franchisees.

find out more

Area Franchise Agreement

A German law-governed agreement granting territorial franchise development rights with sub-franchising capabilities.

find out more

Sub Franchise Agreement

A German law-governed agreement between a master franchisee and sub-franchisee establishing rights and obligations for operating a franchised business, including territory rights, fees, and operational requirements.

find out more

Area Development Agreement Franchise

A German law-governed agreement between franchisor and area developer for systematic franchise expansion in a defined territory.

find out more

Restaurant Franchise Agreement

A German law-governed agreement establishing a franchise relationship between a restaurant brand owner and operator, detailing operational rights, obligations, and standards.

find out more

Master Franchise Contract

German law-governed agreement establishing a master franchise relationship, granting territory development rights through sub-franchising.

find out more

Individual Franchise Agreement

A German law-governed agreement establishing a franchise relationship between a franchisor and individual franchisee, setting out operational rights, obligations, and business terms.

find out more

Franchise Deposit Agreement

A German law-governed agreement establishing terms for a franchise security deposit, including payment, maintenance, and return conditions.

find out more

Franchise Broker Agreement

A German law-governed agreement establishing the terms and conditions between a franchisor and franchise broker for franchisee recruitment services.

find out more

Direct Franchise Agreement

A German law-governed agreement establishing a direct franchise relationship between franchisor and franchisee, including system rights, operational requirements and ongoing obligations.

find out more

Dealer Franchise Agreement

A German law-governed agreement establishing a franchise relationship between a brand owner and dealer, setting out rights, obligations, and operational requirements for product/service distribution.

find out more

Franchise Partnership Agreement

German law-governed agreement establishing a franchise partnership, detailing operational rights, obligations, and compliance requirements between franchisor and franchisee.

find out more

Franchisor Franchisee Agreement

German law-governed agreement establishing franchise rights and obligations between franchisor and franchisee, including operational, financial, and compliance requirements.

find out more

Franchise Development Agreement

A German law-governed agreement establishing rights and obligations for systematic franchise development within a specified territory.

find out more

Franchise Contract Agreement

German law-governed agreement establishing a franchise relationship between franchisor and franchisee, outlining operational rights, obligations, and compliance requirements.

find out more

Download our whitepaper on the future of AI in Legal

By providing your email address you are consenting to our Privacy Notice.
Thank you for downloading our whitepaper. This should arrive in your inbox shortly. In the meantime, why not jump straight to a section that interests you here: https://www.genieai.co/our-research
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Genie’s Security Promise

Genie is the safest place to draft. Here’s how we prioritise your privacy and security.

Your documents are private:

We do not train on your data; Genie’s AI improves independently

All data stored on Genie is private to your organisation

Your documents are protected:

Your documents are protected by ultra-secure 256-bit encryption

Our bank-grade security infrastructure undergoes regular external audits

We are ISO27001 certified, so your data is secure

Organizational security

You retain IP ownership of your documents

You have full control over your data and who gets to see it

Innovation in privacy:

Genie partnered with the Computational Privacy Department at Imperial College London

Together, we ran a £1 million research project on privacy and anonymity in legal contracts

Want to know more?

Visit our Trust Centre for more details and real-time security updates.