Eating out, travel and entertainment remain central to how people spend their time and money. From the first booking to the final bill, technology and changing expectations are reshaping how customers experience hospitality and leisure. We equip restaurants, hotels, venues and leisure operators to protect their brands, contract on terms that support their margins and build businesses that last.

Maybrook Law advises on the legal aspects of hospitality and leisure businesses, from opening a first site to multi-site expansion, franchising and investment. We act for UK and international clients, including hospitality brands establishing or expanding in the UK.

Who we advise

• Restaurants, cafés, bars and pubs, from independent operators to multi-site groups
• Hotels and accommodation providers, including serviced apartments and short-stay operators
• Entertainment, events and experience businesses, including venues, festivals, competitive socialising and visitor attractions
• Leisure and fitness operators, from gyms and boutique studios to spas and wellness brands
• Food and drink brands expanding into delivery, retail and franchising

How we help

Supplier, platform and commercial contracts

Margins in hospitality depend on the terms behind every plate, booking and ticket. We advise on supply and distribution agreements, delivery platform and online booking terms, management and operating agreements, concession and partnership arrangements, and event and sponsorship contracts. We focus on the points that matter most: pricing and price increases, exclusivity, minimum commitments, commission, service standards, termination and limitation of liability.

Franchising, licensing and expansion

Growing a successful concept often means letting others operate it. We advise on franchise agreements and operations manuals, brand licensing, master franchise and development agreements, and joint ventures for new sites and markets, both in the UK and internationally. We design structures that let clients scale quickly while keeping control of their brand and standards.

Brands, intellectual property and reputation

In hospitality, the name above the door is often the most valuable asset in the business. We advise on registering and protecting trade marks, ownership of designs, content and know-how, collaborations with influencers and other brands, and action against copycat concepts and infringing use.

Consumer, online and digital compliance

Customers increasingly discover, book and pay online, and regulators are paying closer attention. We draft website and app terms, booking and cancellation terms, gift voucher, membership and subscription terms, and privacy and cookies policies. We also advise on pricing transparency, online reviews and promotions under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024, and on the data protection issues raised by loyalty programmes, CRM and marketing.

Employment and people

Hospitality and leisure businesses depend on their people, and their workforce is often large, flexible and seasonal. We advise on employment contracts and handbooks, flexible and zero-hours arrangements, the fair allocation of tips under the Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act 2023, right-to-work checks, restructuring and incentive arrangements for senior teams.

Selected experience

• Robotic food assembly for quick-service restaurants. Advising a London restaurant technology company whose robotic assembly line prepares made-to-order meals, freeing kitchen teams to focus on hospitality. We act on its agreements with customers, partners and suppliers as it moves from operating its own pilot restaurant to rolling out its technology across further sites and to other operators.

Why Maybrook Law

We are a boutique London firm that combines the standards of international practice with the continuity of a specialist firm. From the first call to completion, clients work directly with experienced lawyers who understand both the pressures of running a hospitality business and the commercial goals behind it. Hospitality and leisure matters often cut across our Commercial & Technology, Intellectual Property, Employment & Incentives, Corporate & Finance and Dispute Resolution teams, and we bring them together in one team.