Generally yes, and appropriately so: the manual is a living document that maintains network standards. The right is not unlimited, however. Changes are restricted to what the parties agreed, and a change to the substance of the obligation or the agreed price cannot be imposed by referring to the manual. The key questions are whether the agreement allows time for implementation and who bears the resulting investment costs.
Why the franchisor reserves this right
The manual explains how the outlet operates, from product range and appearance to customer service and suppliers. It carries the know-how the franchisee is buying. If every amendment required each franchisee’s signature, the network could not respond to the market: every range change would require signatures across all outlets.
Network agreements therefore usually make the manual a binding, confidential schedule provided electronically and allow the franchisor to update it. In practice, this is often accompanied by checks, including unannounced site visits and mystery shopping assessments.
The limits of the right
A right to change the manual is not a blank cheque. It derives from the agreement and applies only within the agreed scope. We ask three questions when assessing a particular change:
What is changing? Adjusting service procedures or a leaflet design differs from unilaterally expanding the mandatory range, changing a supplier in a way that affects margins or introducing a new payment. A change that is substantively about price or the agreement’s subject matter cannot be imposed as a ‘manual update’.
Was time allowed? A change requiring refurbishment or new equipment needs a reasonable implementation period. A good agreement specifies it directly.
Who pays? This is often the most expensive unanswered question. If the agreement is silent, investment resulting from a manual change is generally borne by the franchisee, who discovers this only when the change arrives.
What the franchisee can do
Before signing, negotiate a cap on resulting investments, an implementation period or at least consultation for changes above a certain scale. After signing, the remaining argument is that the particular change amends the agreement rather than merely updates the manual. That argument is harder, although not hopeless.
Remember that breaches of the manual also have consequences. Repeated failure to meet standards is often listed as a material breach allowing the franchisor to withdraw. This is therefore more than a formality.
How we can help
For franchisees, we review both the agreement and manual, identify unusually broad change rights and explain what can still be negotiated. For franchisors, we draft an enforceable change mechanism that does not deter partners as part of franchise documentation. For an individual document, see contract review.
This answer provides general information on the law as at 11 August 2026. It does not constitute legal services or replace an assessment of an individual case. The details of your situation may differ. Book a consultation to discuss them.
