Goodwill at end of franchise agreement
In a case before the Amsterdam Court of Appeal on 26 September 2017, ECLI:NL:GHAMS:2017:3900 (Seal & Go), a franchisee claimed goodwill compensation (ex Article 7:308 of the Dutch Civil Code) after the franchisor had terminated the lease, in order to continue the operation of the company itself.
In the first instance, the District Court of Noord-Holland dated 24 December 2015, ECLI:NL:RBNHO:2015:11974, rejected the franchisee’s claim because there was no advantage on the part of the franchisor. The clientele was due to the location and not the entrepreneurial activity. The company was located at Schiphol Airport and it is that location that apparently, according to the court, resulted in the (accumulated) customer base.
The Court of Appeal upheld the District Court’s judgment and added that the mere significant increase in turnover and profit realized by the former franchisee does not provide sufficient concrete leads to conclude that the franchisor has enjoyed an attributable advantage. to the franchisee’s business activities.
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
Competition and brandability: recent developments
The president of the Court of Arnhem very recently once again considered a number of competition law issues in preliminary relief proceedings
Master franchising: a double dependency
Various franchise organizations in the Netherlands are based on a so-called master franchise construction
Look before you leap
Franchising has enjoyed increasing interest in recent years.
Dispute settlements
Various dispute settlements circulate in the franchise practice.
Transfer Arrangements in Master Franchise Agreements
Master franchise agreements are generally long-term: 20 or 25 years is no exception.
Consultation: forms and possibilities
In practice, consultation between the franchisor and the franchisee often takes place through a franchise council.