Outline

Overview

Franchising is an increasingly popular business model in Australia and internationally which offers an effective strategy for expanding an existing business or entering an industry. It is rapidly becoming the dominating force in the distribution of goods and services. This unit examines the nature, development and operation of franchising and its growing influence in Australia and overseas. It addresses key legal and commercial issues in establishing, structuring and managing franchise systems as well as legal and commercial issues arising in the course of the continuing business relationship. Particular emphasis is placed on franchising development in the ASEAN countries.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Accounting, Governance and Regulation
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	Completion of at least 24 credit points of study
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Andrew Terry, andrew.terry@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written work	Individual Research assignment Written research assignment based on topic allocated early in semester.	25%	Formal exam period Due date: 17 Nov 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 27 Nov 2025	2000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Presentation One Group Presentation on topic allocated as scheduled	25%	Ongoing	20 PPT /30 minutes oral presentation	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Participation Contribution to and participation in class discussion and meritorious individual contribution to group presentation	5%	Ongoing	Continuous throughout semester	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	In-class Short Essay short essay question #earlyfeedbacktask#	5%	Week 03	20 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
In-person written or creative task	First In-class test Extended response test	15%	Week 07 Due date: 15 Sep 2025 at 14:30	50 minutes	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
In-person written or creative task	Second In-class test Extended response test	25%	Week 13	90 minutes	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ? = early feedback task ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

In-class tests. Two in-class tests will be administered- the first in Week 7 covering material in Weeks 1-6 inclusive and the second in Week 13 covering material drawn from the Weeks 8-12 presentation themes. Both tests will require two or three questions to be answered from a wider choice. Further information and guidance will be uploaded to the Canvas site and communicated in class.
Group Presentation: Students will form, or be allocated to, groups of 3 early in the semester. Groups will be assigned a topic to be presented as scheduled in weeks 8-12. Groups will have 30 minutes for their presentation which will be supported by about 20 PPT slides which must be uploaded to the canvas site at least 24 hours prior to presentation. The mark for the presentation is awarded to the Group – but individual marks of group members may be reduced as a result of the peer review process which all group members must participate in. Further information and guidance will be uploaded to the Canvas site and communicated in class.
Individual Research Assignment: Students will submit, via Turnitin by 23.59 on Monday 17 November, an individual research assignment on a topic published on the canvas site early in the semester.
Participation: A participation mark will be awarded having regard to participation in and contribution to class discussions as well as for meritorious individual performance in the group presentations.
In-class Short Essay: This is a short essay response to be completed in lecture.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Distinction	75 - 84	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Credit	65 - 74	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Pass	50 - 64	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	1. Introduction to CLAW2212. 2 The franchising phenomenon: history, development, operation and significance of franchising	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 02	1.Franchising and alternative business models. 2. The franchising advantage	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 03	1 Franchise system expansion and 2 Franchise model development	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 04	The legal and regulatory environment for franchising and the development of dedicated regulatory regime for franchising	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 05	The Franchising Code of Conduct	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 06	Misleading conduct in pre-contractual negotiations	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 07	Fairness in franchising - unconscionable conduct, unfair contract terms and lack of good faith	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	In-class test	Practical (1 hr)
Week 08	Legal and commercial issues in franchising system expansion	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 08	Legal and commercial issues in franchising system expansion	Presentation (2 hr)
Week 09	Legal and commercial issues in franchising model development	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 09	Legal and commercial issues in franchising model development	Presentation (2 hr)
Week 10	Legal and commercial issues in franchising system change	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 10	Legal and commercial issues in franchising system change	Presentation (2 hr)
Week 11	Current issues relating to fairness in franchising	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 11	Current issues relating to fairness in franchising	Presentation (2 hr)
Week 12	Current commercial issues relating to franchise operation and development	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 12	Current commercial issues relating to franchise operation and development	Presentation (2 hr)
Week 13	Trends, challenges and opportunities for the Australian franchise sector	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 13	In-class test	Practical (1 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Lecture recordings: All lectures and seminars are recorded and will be available on Canvas for student use. Please note the Business School does not own the system and cannot guarantee that the system will operate or that every class will be recorded. Students should ensure they attend and participate in all classes.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

There is no textbook for CLAW2212. Comprehensive materials will be posted on the Canvas site for each class.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. understand the franchise business model, its contemporary significance in Australia and internationally, and the manner in which the model is evolving in response to changing market conditions
LO2. apply franchising as a strategy for business expansion both domestically and internationally
LO3. analyse legal and commercial issues arising in the franchising context
LO4. understand the operation of the key regulatory regimes impacting on franchising
LO5. identify legal, regulatory, commercial and cultural issues impacting on franchise system development, operation, management and expansion.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Minor changes to assessment made in response to student feedback.

Additional information

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

CLAW2212: Franchising

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links