Franchising and franchise agreements

We help franchisors and franchisees structure legally sound relationships, protect their brands, and expand with confidence in the UAE and beyond.

Practice Overview

Franchising offers a powerful model for business growth, but it also comes with legal complexity that demands careful planning. At Kayrouz & Associates, we support both franchisors and franchisees with tailored legal advice on structuring, negotiating, and managing franchise agreements across the UAE and wider MENA region.

Our lawyers advise international brands entering the region as well as local businesses scaling through franchise models. We assist with drafting and localising franchise agreements, registering trademarks and IP, ensuring compliance with UAE commercial agency laws, and managing pre-contract disclosure obligations. For franchisees, we help assess the viability of franchise offers and negotiate fair terms.

We also advise on dispute resolution, renewals, termination, and brand protection strategies. Whether our clients are starting with a single outlet or managing a multi-location franchise network, we provide legal solutions that prioritise clarity, sustainability, and long-term success.

We offer legal advice on a wide spectrum of matters:

  • Drafting and reviewing franchise, master franchise, and development agreements
  • Advising on trademark registration and brand protection
  • Compliance with UAE commercial agency and competition laws
  • Due diligence for potential franchisees
  • Advising on renewal, termination, and exit clauses
  • Resolving disputes between franchisors and franchisees
  • Meet Our Team

    Our team is equipped to handle complex legal matters with precision and care. Learn more about our lawyers below.

    Pierre Kayrouz

    Chief Legal Officer
    Maria Valeyeva

    Maria Valeyeva

    Chief Compliance Officer
    Georges Touma

    Georges Touma

    Head Litigator
    Hanan Ahmed Al Balushi

    Hanan Ahmed

    Practicing Lawyer
    Lathamani Chandrashekar

    Lathamani Chandrashekar

    Senior Corporate Counsel
    Arka Navle

    Arka Navle

    Corporate Counsel
    Nashita Nazneen

    Nashita Nazneen

    Junior Corporate Counsel
    Professor Mark Engelman

    Mark Engelman

    Intellectual Property Barrister
    Rita Semaan

    Rita Semaan

    Legal Consultant
    Carlos Rahme

    Carlos Rahme

    Senior Legal Consultant
    Souhad Al Ghorayeb

    Souhad Al Ghorayeb

    Senior Legal Consultant
    Sandy Y. Geagea

    Sandy Geagea

    Legal Consultant
    Saeed Gaber

    Saeed Gaber

    Legal Research Analyst
    Muhammed Ali Charif

    Muhammed Ali Charif

    Junior Legal Counsel
    Jenifer Abu Nasr

    Jenifer Abu Nasr

    Paralegal
    Patricia Abi Mansour

    Patricia Abi Mansour

    Business Development Manager
    Valakshmi Balasubramanian

    Varalakshmi Balasubramanian

    Operations Assistant
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