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Foodco calls for government-mandated legal advice for new franchisees
Foodco Group, the franchisor behind Muffin Break and Jamaica Blue, has called for a revised code of conduct that forces prospective franchisees to obtain legal advice prior to signing a franchise agreement.
ACCC to push for stronger powers to crack down on unfair contract terms
The law should be altered to make unfair contract terms illegal, ACCC Chair Rod Sims says, and the regulator plans to use its clout to push for the change.
Husqvarna admits it ‘likely’ misled franchisees, ACCC says
Power tool seller Husqvarna Australia has entered into a court-enforceable undertaking after admitting it likely misled franchisees when stating that its dealership agreements were not covered by the Franchising Code of Conduct.
Firms abandon planned class actions against Retail Food Group
Law firm Maurice Blackburn has dropped plans for a class action against Retail Food Group alleging the franchisor misled shareholders about the long-term viability of its business model.
7-Eleven can make private settlement offers to class members, court says
A judge has found 7-Eleven is free to make confidential settlement offers to individual members in two class actions brought by franchisees, shooting down a bid by the applicants' lawyers to get the court involved in the convenience store giant's communications with class members.
Pizza Hut franchise fined $216,700 for ‘sham’ contract
A Pizza Hut outlet on the Gold Coast has been hit with fines totalling $216,700 after it was found to have misclassified a delivery driver and falsified records to cover it up, the Fair Work Ombudsman said Friday.
Geowash boss can look at ACCC emails to lawyers, judge rules
The boss of car wash franchisor Geowash has won her bid to access emails exchanged between the ACCC and lawyers for complaining franchisees, in a case accusing the company of misleading prospective franchisees with inflated profit projections.
Chinese restaurant chain wins injunction in franchise trademark dispute
A Federal Court judge has granted Chinese restaurant chain Tim Ho Wan's bid for a temporary injunction in a dispute over trademark rights assigned through a franchise agreement. 
Blockbuster loses appeal over franchisee’s unauthorised sale
Blockbuster has struck out in its challenge to a ruling that it could not recover a cent from a husband and wife franchisee after the pair sold the store's assets without consent and admitted to breaching the franchise agreement.
Judge bars 7-Eleven from WhatsApp message to class
7-Eleven has lost its bid to use a confidential bulletin sent to class members via WhatsApp as defence evidence in an ongoing franchisee class action, with a judge rejecting the company's claims the document was no longer shielded by legal professional privilege.