Franchise Registration and Renewal in Saudi Arabia: Post-Signing Deadlines

Guidance published by Mahmoud Adel Al-Thumali Law Firm on 27 September 2026 highlights deadlines and procedures that extend beyond signing a franchise agreement in Saudi Arabia. From registering the agreement and certain amendments to giving notice of an intention to renew, it underscores the importance of managing the contractual relationship throughout its term, rather than focusing solely on the steps needed to join a brand.

Registration within 90 days of signing

According to the guidance, entitled ‘What are the steps for submitting a franchise application in Saudi Arabia?’, the Kingdom’s Franchise Law and its Implementing Regulations govern this relationship. The guidance explains that the franchisor must register the agreement and disclosure document with the Ministry of Commerce within 90 days of signing the agreement.

This is a practical point because it concerns a procedure that follows the conclusion of the contract, rather than simply the preparation of its documents. In the sequence described by the guidance, signing does not mark the end of the process: it starts a defined registration period, which needs to be tracked separately from preparations to launch the business.

Administratively, this could mean maintaining a tracking file containing the signing date, the registration deadline and the relevant documents. This is an organisational recommendation drawn from the stated deadline, not an additional legal requirement reported by the guidance. Its purpose is to prevent compliance tasks from falling between operational, accounting and legal responsibilities.

The guidance does not announce a new regulatory amendment; it explains procedures and deadlines. This article should therefore be read as coverage of recent legal guidance relevant to the franchise community, not as an announcement of a new deadline or a change in the law.

Changes to a party or the term require further attention

Registration tracking does not end with the original agreement. The legal guidance states that the 90-day period also applies to any amendment that changes either party to the agreement or its term. Reviewing amendments therefore becomes an important part of managing the relationship once it is under way.

It is important to note the limits of what the source says: it identifies amendments concerning either party or the agreement’s term, but the available text does not provide a comprehensive account of every type of amendment. This requirement should therefore not be extended to every operational or financial change without a legal review of the particular circumstances.

In practice, when discussing an amendment, it is advisable to ask two separate questions: what will change in the parties’ rights and obligations, and does the amendment affect a contracting party or the duration of the relationship? Keeping these questions separate helps ensure that an amendment is not treated merely as an internal document when it is of a type the guidance says must be registered.

The guidance recommends that the agreement address the effect of changes in ownership, alongside fees and other payments, training, technical support, supply, renewal and termination. This highlights the importance of referring back to the agreement when a change occurs, rather than assuming its consequences are automatically settled.

Renewal starts before the agreement expires

The guidance lists overlooking renewal deadlines among the common mistakes that can lead to disputes. It states that a franchisee wishing to renew must notify the franchisor in writing at least 180 days before the agreement expires.

The key point is not simply the length of the notice period, but the requirement for a written step before the relationship ends. An intention to continue should not remain merely an operational discussion between the parties when the guidance identifies a specific notification deadline. It is therefore advisable to include the expiry date and notice deadline in the contract tracking schedule from the outset.

Based on the available text, sending notice does not guarantee automatic renewal: the guidance neither states this nor sets out the conditions for entitlement to renewal. It is important to distinguish between meeting the notice deadline and assessing the renewal conditions in the agreement and the rules that apply to it.

For franchisees, the practical benefit is having time to review the position and make a decision before the deadline arrives. As a suggested administrative step, that review could cover provisions concerning continuation of the relationship, supply, support, and fees and other payments—all topics the guidance identifies as matters to be covered in the agreement.

Breach and termination: the importance of notice and an opportunity to remedy

In addressing whether an agreement can be terminated immediately following a breach, the guidance explains that written notice and a period to remedy the breach are generally required. It refers, in this context, to giving the franchisee 14 days after notification to remedy a material breach.

This qualification must be preserved when reporting the information: the source uses the word ‘generally’ and does not explain every ground for termination or every exception. The period therefore cannot be treated as an absolute rule for every situation, or as a substitute for reviewing the grounds for termination and the agreement’s provisions.

The guidance also states that commercial courts have jurisdiction over franchise disputes unless the parties agree to arbitration. It warns against inconsistencies between the agreement, the operations manual and the disclosure document, suggesting that these documents should be reviewed together when assessing disputed obligations.

Practical takeaway: Create a schedule of registration, amendment and renewal deadlines, and retain written notices in the agreement file. If a breach occurs or termination is being considered, seek a legal review of the circumstances before taking action. Brief guidance can help flag deadlines, but it is no substitute for assessing the details of the relationship.