14. Can the ACCC give advice on whether to purchase a particular franchise?The ACCC cannot provide personal or legal advice, including advice about whether a particular agreement should be entered into. However, prospective franchises can find a lot of useful information on the ACCC's Franchising Code web page, including some of the steps to take before entering into a franchise agreement and some warning signs to watch out for. We encourage all prospective franchises to read this information, particularly our publications such as the Franchisee manual and the Franchisee start-up checklist. The ACCC issues a news release whenever it begins or concludes enforcement action against a franchisor. You can view these on our web page at Franchising in news releases. Some examples of where the ACCC has taken action against a franchisor can also be found on our Franchising Code complaints, investigations and outcomes web page. For the reasons given in the answer to Question 13, we strongly encourage prospective franchisees to seek advice from professionals experienced in franchising matters before committing to a franchise agreement. |