In 2023, the Minister for the Self-Employed David Clarinval had requested an analysis of franchise contracts in the food sector. This analysis led to a new royal decree, approved yesterday morning by the Council of Ministers. It includes a series of contractual clauses that large retailers can no longer impose on their self-employed operators. For example, today, when a supermarket chain fails to deliver, or delivers insufficiently, due to a strike or other force majeure, self-employed operators are not allowed to buy the same products elsewhere, because of their contractual obligation to source exclusively from the retailer. This results in empty shelves and substantial loss of income. Thanks to this initiative by David Clarinval, franchisees will regain the freedom to source elsewhere in these exceptional circumstances.
David Clarinval: "This project brings a substantial improvement to franchise contracts in the food sector, so that contractual relations between franchisors and franchisees in food distribution become more balanced. I have decided to add new clauses considered abusive in all circumstances, or presumed to be so unless proven otherwise. With this text, I am therefore strengthening the protection of self-employed franchisees against possible abuse in the food sector, and I am delighted about that."