We act for Chinese and Asian businesses in every Australian state and territory, meeting online and signing documents electronically. Our property work is Victoria only.
Serving Melbourne's Chinese community since 1990 · Mandarin-speaking lawyers · Queen Street, Melbourne CBD
Book a 30-minute paid consultationMessage us on WhatsAppCall 03 9602 3988
When you book, you can send photos of the contract, lease or business documents by WhatsApp so the lawyer can review them during the consultation.
Restaurants, cafés, bubble tea shops and takeaway businesses are among the most common businesses run by Chinese and Asian families in Melbourne. They are also among the most exposed to lease, franchise and employment problems. Chua Tan Associates advises hospitality owners, buyers and franchisees in English and Mandarin.
Buying or selling a restaurant or café
A hospitality business is mostly its lease, its licences, its staff and its reputation. Before you pay a deposit, check what you are really buying.
- Business sale contracts and heads of agreement
- Assignment of the lease and landlord consent
- Liquor licence and council food registration transfer
- Equipment, stock and fit-out ownership
- Staff transfer and accrued entitlements
Retail and commercial leases
Rent reviews, outgoings, make-good, fit-out contributions and options to renew can decide whether a restaurant is profitable. We review and negotiate leases for tenants and landlords, and advise on disputes with landlords.
Franchises
Many bubble tea, dessert and noodle brands operate as franchises, including brands from mainland China and Taiwan. We review franchise agreements and disclosure documents, explain territory, fees, supply and exit terms, and advise on disputes between franchisees and franchisors.
Employment and wage compliance
Hospitality is a focus for wage compliance enforcement. We help owners put proper employment contracts, rosters and record-keeping in place, and respond if a claim or investigation arises.
Partners and family businesses
Restaurants are often opened by friends, relatives or business partners. A shareholders or partnership agreement agreed at the start avoids many disputes later, especially when one partner wants to leave.
Frequently asked questions
Should I sign the lease before buying the business?
Usually not. The sale and the lease assignment should be coordinated so you are not left with a lease but no business, or the reverse.
Can you review a franchise agreement written in Chinese?
Yes. We can review Chinese and bilingual franchise documents and explain how they work under Australian law.
Typical situations (illustrative)
The following are illustrative examples of common issues, not actual cases.
- A new owner takes over a restaurant and only then finds the liquor licence cannot simply be transferred, so alcohol cannot be served at first.
Who handles your matter
Justin Chua, lawyer and mediator. He holds a commerce (accounting) degree, worked in finance in Hong Kong, previously held a real estate agent's licence and ran an agency, has run restaurant and accommodation businesses himself, and is an accredited family business advisor and nationally accredited mediator. He reads contracts and leases from an operator's point of view.
More about Justin Chua, lawyer and mediator
Tan Chua has more than thirty years of property law experience and handles property, retail lease and related transactions.
Book a consultation
Speak with us before you sign. Book a paid consultation online, call +61 3 9602 3988, or message us on WhatsApp at +61 490 369 102. We work in English and Mandarin.
This page contains general information only and is not legal advice. You should not rely on it for any specific matter. Please book a consultation for advice on your circumstances.
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