What Franchise Issue 21.1

The idea of UK franchises adopting a fully dog-friendly model, like those seen in parts of Europe, is gaining attention. There are several arguments in favour of this change. Firstly, dogs are increasingly viewed as family members, and their owners want to include them in all aspects of their lives, including taking dogs to their place of work. The physical and mental health benefits of spending time with dogs have been proven time and time again so franchises would also profit from less time off for sickness also. By welcoming dogs, UK franchises can tap into a growing market of pet owners, enhancing customer interactions and satisfaction. Additionally, the European model has proven to be successful in countries like France, where many cafes and restaurants allow dogs. These establishments create a more inclusive environment, fostering a sense of community and relaxation for customers. Pet-friendly spaces can encourage longer visits, which often translates into higher spending from customers of dog-friendly businesses. However, not all customers may appreciate sharing a space with dogs, particularly those with allergies or phobias. Franchise brands would need to implement clear guidelines and staff training to ensure cleanliness and safety. Rebecca Wilson, founder and CEO, Friends For Pets SHOULD MORE UK FRANCHISES FOLLOW THE EUROPEAN MODEL OF BEING FULLY DOG-FRIENDLY? What happens if my franchise isn’t performing as expected ? The answer to this will really depend on the reason. Your franchise may be underperforming because of external reasons. These could be anything from global or national events such as COVID or recessions to local market conditions, for example, where a major store retailer closes down close to where the franchisee’s business is situated, reducing footfall, or where a competitor opens nearby. A franchisee may feel the underperformance is due to lack of training or support from the franchisor. The franchisor may blame the underperformance on the franchisee’s lack of commitment to the business or its failure to follow the franchise system. Underperformance may get picked up quickly by the franchisor who will want to meet with the franchisee to discuss the reasons for the underperformance or it could be picked up at a regular review meeting. If a franchisee feels that the poor performance is due to external reasons or a lack of support from the franchisor then it is essential that this is communicated to the franchisor so that franchisor and franchisee can work through the problem together. The franchisor may want to review and audit the franchisee’s business to discover the reason behind the failures. A good franchisor will support the franchisee to put in place a plan to remedy the issues. These processes should be fair and reasonable and include the right for a franchisee to seek to remedy the failure to achieve the target. The franchise agreement should also set out what will happen if the underperformance does not improve. As always, legal advice should be sought so that a franchisee can fully understand its position. Shelley Nadler, legal director, Bird & Bird “By welcoming dogs, franchises can tap into a growing market” U P F O R D E B A T E 46 WHAT FRANCHISE Issue 21.1