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New Age of Franchising

Legal, Tax & Regulatory Perspective

 

June 20, 2025
 

 

India’s franchising landscape is undergoing a transformation, driven by rapid digitalisation, diverse sectoral growth, and evolving regulatory frameworks. This research paper offers a comprehensive, multidisciplinary examination of the key legal, tax, and regulatory considerations governing modern franchise arrangements in India.

The paper covers the historical evolution and current scope of franchising in India across sectors such as F&B, education, retail, fitness, and digital commerce. It unpacks critical issues including the enforceability of franchise agreements, treatment of intellectual property and data, consumer protection, taxation (including royalty and PE concerns), FDI restrictions, labour laws, and antitrust risks. The paper also addresses the practical structuring and negotiation of franchise agreements, focusing on obligations, risk mitigation, termination, and compliance.

This resource is vital for legal and business professionals involved in cross-border franchising, startups exploring scalable expansion, IP and consumer product strategists, and investors navigating regulatory complexity in India.

Please click here to access our paper.

 

Regards,

Pradyumn Sharma, Morvi Chaturvedi and Huzefa Tavawalla

 

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