Tracey Dickens, a Partner and Birkett Long LLP's franchising specialist, has just completed the Master Regional Franchise and Franchise Agreements for Ability Driving Academy Limited's new franchise business, trading as Acclaim.
Following Ability's success in their heartland regions of East Midlands and Northern Ireland, the management team had identified that the system they apply to operation of their business could be replicated to enable others to operate the business in other territories in the UK, enabiling Ability to expand their operation more quickly.
Tracey advised and assisted Ability's Finance Director, Ranjit Roy-Choudhuri and management team in putting together the franchise agreements and addressing within them the key issues specific to a driving school and driving instructor training business.
Commenting on the transaction, Tracey said, "It has been great working with Ranjit and Roger Ison (previously with BSM) to drill down in to the key matters that needed to be covered within this franchise arrangement. Franchise agreements are substantial agreements and without the necessary expertise it would be easy to overlook issues that need to be covered within such business arrangements".
Ranjit Roy-Choudhuri said "if you are looking for balanced commercial advice then Tracey Dickens and Birkett Long are perfect partners.
Tracey quickly grasped the business model and advised us through the complexities of establishing a franchised offering whilst ensuring that the agreement has the necessary performance criteria but is nevertheless fair to all stakeholders".
