On November 14–15, 2025, the MLT Aikins franchising team – including lawyers Josh Deacon, Melissa Cattini and Caitlin Madden – will be attending the 2025 National Franchise Show in Edmonton, Alberta.
Josh will be speaking at three sessions over the two-day conference:
Your Franchise Disclosure Document: What it Must Include and Why it Matters
On Saturday, November 15, Josh will present Your Franchise Disclosure Document: What it Must Include and Why it Matters, a session focused on the key disclosure requirements under Canadian franchise legislation.
Attendees will gain a clear understanding of the consequences of incomplete or inaccurate disclosure, as well as practical strategies for keeping their disclosure document accurate, current and compliant with statutory timelines across all applicable provinces. Josh will also discuss the remedies available to franchisees for defective disclosure, including the right to rescind the franchise agreement and pursue damages.
Understand your Franchise Agreement
On Sunday, November 16, Josh will present Understand your Franchise Agreement, where attendees will learn about the standard clauses found in franchise agreements.
The session will provide clarity on how territories are defined and granted, the differences between exclusive and non-exclusive rights and the typical carve-outs franchisors use to retain certain sales channels. Attendees will also learn what constitutes a default – from payment delays to operational non-compliance – and explore the remedies available to franchisors.
How to Franchise your Business
In addition to these sessions, Josh will also host How to Franchise your Business, a limited-seating workshop designed to guide attendees through the process of converting their existing business into a successful franchise system.
This session will cover each stage of the franchising process – from assessing franchise readiness and designing a scalable franchise model to understanding key legal requirements and developing strategies for sourcing and onboarding qualified franchisees.
Josh is a corporate and commercial lawyer with extensive experience advising on all aspects of franchising, from helping start-up concepts launch their first location to supporting established brands with networks of 50+ locations. He regularly counsels both franchisors and franchisees on structuring franchise systems, preparing disclosure documents, drafting and negotiating franchise agreements and ensuring ongoing legal compliance.
In addition to system development, Josh has advised on the purchase and sale of franchise businesses, including transactions involving multiple locations.
Our team of franchise lawyers represents and advises franchisors, franchisees and master franchisees, area representatives and licensors to help them understand, manage and navigate the legal and regulatory requirements that apply to Canadian franchises.
Our primary focus is on advising corporate and franchised brands on establishing, structuring, developing and expanding in Western Canada. We work closely with our clients across a range of industries (from quick-service restaurants to regulated professions) at each of the stages of the “franchise cycle” – from launch, set-up for long-term growth and impact, ongoing management and operations, through to maturity, exit strategy planning and the sale of businesses.
MLT Aikins is a member of the Canadian Franchise Association.
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