Comparative Franchise Disputes

In the August 24, 2004 edition of Australian magazine Business Week Review (BRW) [subscription required], journalist Jacqui Walker reports the on the state of franchising in Australia in her article "Franchising: Boom Rolls On". While the article's main emphasis is to describe how Australian franchises are parlaying domestic success into international expansion, the article also mentions some interesting facts relating to frachisee/franchisor disputes.

Citing a survey by Griffith University, called Franchising Australia 2004, the article states that 39% of franchisors experienced disputes serious enough to require outside advise in the past year. Disputes resulting in litigation affected 18% of franchisors, and the number of franchisees involved in disputes rose from 1% in 2001 to just under 2% in 2004.