Phone: 604.209.6451

Go forth and multiply

Likewise is a boutique consultancy managed by John L. Rogers, and focused on helping business owners to multiply their success through franchising. At Likewise, we feel that franchising works best when it works for everyone concerned. That’s why we focus on ensuring our clients enter into franchise agreements that are comprehensive, unambiguous and, above all, fair. We know, from decades of experience, that fair contracts engender mutual respect, cooperation and success. If you feel likewise, please contact john@likewise.consulting
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Advice you'll rely on again and again and again.
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John advises on all areas of franchise business from inception to termination.

A LEADING FRANCHISE CONSULTANT

John L. Rogers is internationally recognized in franchise law, and since July 1, 2020, has moved from law to consulting. John has been recommended by L'expert many times, he has been named to the International Who’s Who of Franchise Lawyers and designated a “Legal Eagle” in the U.S. by Franchise Times. John has decades of experience helping franchisors, franchisees and their advisors navigate the legal complexities of franchising.

John has been admitted to the bar in both British Columbia and Ontario and has experience advising on franchise legislation and drafting of franchise disclosure documents in all franchise-regulated provinces. For four years, John served as general counsel, a director and secretary of the Canadian Franchise Association. In those roles he helped develop policies and programs for the betterment of the franchise industry in Canada and promotion of ethical conduct and camaraderie among industry members.

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Practice Areas

  • Franchising

Awards & Distinctions

  • L’expert-ranked for Franchise Law (Canada)
  • Who’s Who of Franchise Lawyers (International)
  • Former General Counsel, Director, Secretary, Canadian Franchise Association
  • Former Member, Supplier Forum Board, International Franchise Association

Industry Associations

  • Member, Canadian Franchise Association
  • Former General Counsel, Director, Secretary, Canadian Franchise Association
  • Past Member, Supplier Forum Board, International Franchise Association

Community Commitments

  • Sovereign Order of St. John, Knights Hospitaller, Knight of Justice
  • Canadian Franchise Association
  • Vancouver College Alumni Association

Education & Calls to Bar

  • Calls to Bar: British Columbia, 1977; Ontario, 2005
  • Bachelor of Laws, University of British Columbia, 1976
  • Bachelor of Arts (English Literature), University of British Columbia, 1973
  • Vancouver College (with Honours), 1968

Publications

  • Co-author of Chapter 1 “Structuring an Expansion to Canada”,  ABA’s book on Franchising in Canada, January, 2017
  • Editor and Co-author, Chapter on Canada, “The Franchise Law Review” (Annual Book, 2017), London, UK
  • “Essential Differences exist between Trademarks in Canada and the US”, 2012
  • “New Franchises Act (BC)”, 2017

Practice Areas

  • Franchising

Awards & Distinctions

  • L’expert-ranked for Franchise Law (Canada)
  • Who’s Who of Franchise Lawyers (International)
  • Former General Counsel, Director, Secretary, Canadian Franchise Association
  • Former Member, Supplier Forum Board, International Franchise Association

Community Commitments

  • Sovereign Order of St. John, Knights Hospitaller, Knight of Justice
  • Canadian Franchise Association
  • Vancouver College Alumni Association

Industry Associations

  • Member, Canadian Franchise Association
  • Former General Counsel, Director, Secretary, Canadian Franchise Association
  • Former Member, Supplier Forum Board, International Franchise Association

Education & Calls to Bar

  • Calls to Bar: British Columbia, 1977; Ontario, 2005
  • Bachelor of Laws, University of British Columbia, 1976
  • Bachelor of Arts (English Literature), University of British Columbia, 1973
  • Vancouver College (with Honours), 1968

Publications

  • Co-author of Chapter 1 “Structuring an Expansion to Canada”,  ABA’s book on Franchising in Canada, January, 2017
  • Editor and Co-author, Chapter on Canada, “The Franchise Law Review” (Annual Book, 2017), London, UK
  • “Essential Differences exist between Trademarks in Canada and the US”, 2012
  • “New Franchises Act (BC)”, 2017
Franchise Consulting Services & Fees
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Franchising is about faithfully duplicating the factors responsible for a franchisor's success.
Faithful duplication of every aspect of a business model, operating systems, products, training and marketing is what makes visiting your favourite coffee spot in Vancouver or Dallas feel the same. It’s what makes the hamburger you had in Beijing taste just like the one back home. And, it’s what makes the franchise business model work. At Likewise, we review or recommend franchise documents to ensure faithful duplication and engender respect for a business relationship by clearly defining the roles and responsibilities of all parties to franchise agreements including franchisors, franchisees and suppliers.
Have you found the secret sauce?

Franchisors

If you have a concept and are considering starting or expanding a franchise system in Canada, we can help. Likewise advises franchisors on:

  • Agent registration of Canadian trade marks.
  • Strategic advice on franchise agreements and disclosure documents.
  • Agent incorporation of franchisors.
  • Advising on leases/subleases.
  • General franchise advice.

Franchisees

For prospective franchisees, our services include:

  • Review of franchise disclosure documents and franchise agreements.
  • Memos summarizing our reviews and providing our recommendations for changes.
  • Agent incorporation of franchisees.
  • Leasing/subleasing advice.
  • General advice on becoming a franchisee.
Expanding to Canada?

U.S. Franchisors

Are you a U.S. franchisor considering an expansion to Canada? For U.S. franchisors, we provide:

  • Advice on ’Canadianization’ of franchise, master franchise and area development agreements.
  • Advice on Canadian franchise disclosure documents.
  • Agent registration of Canadian trade marks.
  • Agent incorporation of Canadian subsidiaries.
  • General advice on compliance with Canadian franchise practices.
Testimonials
The following testimonials relate to John's many years as a practicing franchise
lawyer. On July 1, 2020, he moved on to practice as a franchise consultant.
  • I will never use another advisor.
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    Making John Rogers our attorney at Goodbye Graffiti was the best decision I ever made.

    I have worked with John since our conception 20 years ago. I would not be where I am today without his expertise in the world of franchising and his support as a friend. I was truly lucky to have met him before I began franchising. I will never use another advisor. John is truly a loyal and trusted partner in any endeavor.

    – Perri Domm, President and Owner, Goodbye Graffiti Inc.

  • Tremendous, to the point advice.
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    I have worked with John Rogers for 10 years. During this time John has been tremendous at providing to the point advice. He has taken the time to learn our business model and understands our values. Accordingly his recommendations are relevant to Speedpro’s culture. John and I have worked together on several projects and he has always been professional, prompt and punctual. Speedpro enthusiastically recommends John Rogers for any and all types of Franchise legal matters.

    – Stuart Burns, President and Owner, Speedpro Canada

  • My Canadian master franchise.
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    In 2018, John amended or created a customized package of legal documents for my Canada-wide master franchise system. He amended my master franchise agreement, created a new unit franchise agreement, non-disclosure agreement and guarantee for sub-franchisees, as well as a new Canada-wide franchise disclosure document. I took advantage of John’s broad expertise in franchise law and his habit of getting documents done on time. I continue to refer my master franchising work to John and recommend him to others who may wish to get involved in master franchising in Canada.

    – Keith Bruch, President, Sandler Training Canada

  • My new franchise system.
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    In the late summer of 2019, John created a customized package of legal documents for my unique, new franchise system. Included were a franchise agreement and several related documents, as well as a national franchise disclosure document. I found John to be very knowledgeable and easy to work with. He made some great recommendations and charged a fair fee. I highly recommend him.

    – Mark Leslie, President, Rothewood Academy

  • Our go-to resource in Canada.
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    John Rogers has for years been a go-to resource for responsive, practical, and sound advice and insight on behalf of our U.S. clients bringing their franchise systems into Canada, and dealing with ongoing legal issues under Canadian law.

    – Kenneth Costello, Partner, Bryan Cave Attorneys USA

  • Timely, commercial and pertinent advice.
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    I have known and worked with John Rogers for more years than I care to remember. We first met at international franchise events and have become firm friends.

    John provides very valuable updates to me concerning developments in relation to franchising in Canada and we have worked together on a number of assignments. I have always found his advice to be timely, commercial and pertinent.

    – John Pratt, Principal, Hamilton Pratt Solicitors, United Kingdom

  • A man of the utmost integrity.
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    I have known John Rogers for over 20 years. I have seen him many times at international franchising conferences in the USA and for a few years John and I were on the Board together of the Supplier Forum of the International Franchise Association.

    John has lived in both Vancouver and Toronto. He is very personable and is an excellent franchising lawyer. He is a man of the utmost integrity and I have no hesitation in recommending him as a franchising lawyer and wish him the very best for his new firm.

    – Stewart Germann, Law Partner, Auckland, NZ

A franchise consultant unlike any other.
What sets John Rogers apart from other franchise consultants? He is independent. He has a wealth of experience gained over 35 years acting as a franchise lawyer. He gets work done right and right on time - the first time. For significant franchise matters, he will quote an "up front" fixed fee instead of an hourly rate.
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Publications
Here are publications John wrote as a lawyer. They contain useful information for consulting clients.

Bringing your Eh Game. A Checklist for U.S. Franchisors

3 Pages

When an American franchisor wishes to expand its franchise system to Canada, there are a number of important issues to be considered, including the following...

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How to Start a Franchise System in Canada

4 Pages

This is paper answers commonly asked questions about setting up a franchise system in Canada. What requirements should be considered before starting a franchise system...

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Top 12 Things to Look for in a Franchise Agreement

3 Pages

This paper reviews 12 important features in or about a franchise agreement. There are other important features, but these 12 are no doubt of great importance...

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Up Front Fees

We appreciate that many clients dislike hourly rates because they want to know, up front, what their fees are going to be. That’s why Likewise offers the option of Up Front Pricing.

Once major matters required of us have been determined, we will provide an up front fee quote in a client engagement letter, with a retainer required. The up front fee will apply to all work specified in the engagement letter. Only if additional work is required will an hourly rate apply. Disbursements and taxes will be extra. The engagement letter will cover all of these points.

No duplication of fees.

A licensed lawyer will finalize all agreements. We ensure that the combination of consulting fees and legal fees for completing any transaction will not exceed what John would have charged as a lawyer.

Need a fixed price? Email john@likewise.consulting

John L. Rogers, Senior Consultant
1400 - 1125 Howe Street
Vancouver, BC Canada V6Z 2K8

Cell: +1 604 209 6451
Email: john@likewise.consulting