The Romanian Franchise Association is the voluntary self regulating governing body for franchising. The Romanian market encompasses many franchise opportunities and we hope that this website will help you to make a more informed choice about which one of those franchises best suits you. All of our members have chosen to be vetted against a strict code of business practice - they endeavor to be good franchisers that can deliver the success that you want.
"BLUE STANDARD" fights against non-ethical (illegal or fake) franchise : all franchises from Romanian market must respect the national legislation
"BLUE STANDARD "is produced by the Romanian Association of Franchise
We want to expand this program on a European level. If you want to join this program please contact us.
SERVICES
CASE STUDIES:
Case studies of people who have started a franchise with an ARF member
FRANCHISE SEMINARS:
Franchisee Seminars:
Low cost seminars for people thinking of buying a franchise
Franchiser Seminars:
These low cost seminars are for companies thinking of franchising their business
ARF BOOKSHOP:
The ARF`s bookshop for books, videos and DVDs on all aspects of franchising
PROFESSIONAL ADVISORS :
A list of ARF Affiliate members who can help you with many aspects of setting up a franchise
FRANCHISING YOUR BUSINESS:
A checklist to help you decide whether your business is suitable to become a franchise
JOINING THE ARF:
Procedure how to join the ARF including membership criteria and fees
NATIONAL FRANCHISEE FORUM:
Offering support and advice, the aim of the Romanian Franchise Association’s National Franchisee Forum is to give a voice to the people
who are running their own franchised businesses.
SOLUTIONS
INFORMAL CONCILIATION
Even though the ARF has neither the power nor the right to intervene in a dispute between franchiser and franchisee, it can nonetheless make a
positive contribution in respect of dispute resolution by supporting the re-establishment of positive communication between the parties with the
aim of bringing about a resolution.
In the first instance the ARF seeks to facilitate an informal conciliation by allowing each party to re-present their case and reconsider their positions to work towards and agreement.
The franchisee is invited to complete and return a Notification of Dispute form. Assuming the franchisee has already pursued all reasonable avenues to resolve the dispute, the ARF will then become involved by seeking a response from its member franchiser. Often this is sufficient to re-establish constructive dialogue.
The ARF will not make any comment or judgment in respect of either party’s actions. The ARF does, however, reserve the right to act independently in total confidentiality, to address issues of underlying ethical principles with our member franchisers.
If this informal conciliation process does not achieve resolution, the ARF has an independent mediation service opened by both parties, to allow an amicable resolution of disputes. This is a completely voluntary process that involves independent, qualified mediators with recognized expertise in the franchise sector
MEDIATION
Mediation is a process of structured negotiation between the parties. The mediator is an independent third party who tries to help and facilitate negotiations between the parties. The negotiations will be on a without prejudice basis and the parties are not bound to settle their dispute. The mediator does not give an award or make a decision but any settlement reached by the parties will be recorded in writing and will be final and binding. The settlement can be enforced but not in the same way as an arbitrator’s award. The parties can walk away from the mediation at any stage.
ARBITRATION
This is very similar in many respects to litigation. The parties to a dispute having requested the use of the ARF Arbitration Scheme will have an arbitrator (an individual like a judge) appointed by the ARF to decide the issues between them. The Arbitrator will conduct the Arbitration in accordance with the Arbitration Scheme’s Rules and the Arbitration Act provisions.
An arbitration process is quite formal in terms of the procedure followed and the manner in which it is conducted and therefore is very much like litigation. The arbitrator will make an award (a decision or judgment) that is final and binding on the parties (there are or may be limited rights of appeal) and this award is enforceable. The arbitrator will charge fees for undertaking the arbitration and costs can be awarded against the parties as determined by the arbitrator.
PROGRAMS
Franchise magazines – “Franchise, a successful business”
Franchise TV – Channel F – online TV
Virtual Franchise Exhibition
International Franchise and Branding Exhibition
Blue Standard
Franchise e-learning courses
English
