Buy/sell Albert Heijn franchise company
A judgment of 28 July 2016 by the Central Netherlands District Court, ECLI:NL:RBMNE:2016:6138, concerned the sale of shares in two companies in which an Albert Heijn supermarket was operated. The dispute was about what exactly was included in the purchase/sale.
Shortly before finalization, the parent company of the sellers appears to be the lessor of one of the supermarket premises. They exercise the pre-emptive right to purchase. The buyers of the shares demanded that they receive the supermarket business space as part of the share purchase. The sellers argue that the pre-emptive right to purchase the supermarket business space does not rest with the companies that are the subject of the intended transaction. Moreover, the buyers had never inquired about the pre-emptive right and the sellers had never communicated anything about it. The preliminary relief judge therefore rejected the claim and ruled that the purchase must go ahead without the supermarket business space, so that people know what is and what is not included in the purchase/sale.
This judgment shows the importance of expert assistance in negotiating the takeover of supermarkets.
mr. AW Dolphijn – Franchise lawyer
Ludwig & Van Dam Franchise attorneys, franchise legal advice. Do you want to respond? Go to dolphijn@ludwigvandam.nl .
Other messages
The duty of care of the franchisor is further specified in the context of the
In recent years, a large amount of jurisprudence has come to light regarding the non-achievement of the forecasts by the franchisee.
The bankrupt franchisor
In the current time of economic downturn, bankruptcies of companies are the order of the day.
The right of the franchisor to sell its franchise organization to a
Many franchise agreements contain a provision stating that the franchisor reserves the right
Locations on the move
There is a lot of construction going on in the Netherlands. New shopping centers are springing up here and there. Old ones are modernized and renovated.
Making changes by the franchisee to the
In addition to a franchise agreement, the franchisee has often also concluded a rental agreement with the franchisor.
Mandatory franchise council?
Not in all cases does the franchise agreement contain a reference to the franchise council or a comparable body.