The short answer. Qatar has no dedicated franchise law. A franchise into Qatar is governed by general commercial and contract law, and the statute that matters most is the Commercial Agency Law No. 8 of 2002. Foreign brands can often hold up to 100% ownership of a Qatari franchisee under Law No. 1 of 2019, subject to approval by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI), though a local partner may still be required in some sectors.
This guide is for franchisors and master franchise investors who want to understand the structure of a Qatar franchise before approaching a partner. The legal summary below follows a Pinsent Masons Out-Law guide dated 16 October 2025. It is general information, not legal advice.
With no franchise-specific statute, a franchise agreement sits within four general instruments:
The Commercial Agency Law can classify a franchisee as a commercial agent if the agreement meets the statutory definition. Many franchise agreements are therefore drafted to avoid that classification, which preserves flexibility and avoids mandatory registration. Where a commercial agency is established, the agreement must be registered with MOCI.
For a brand, this is the first structural decision: whether the Qatar relationship should be built as a franchise outside the agency regime or accepted as an agency. Counsel in Doha should confirm the classification before heads of terms are signed. Neighbouring guides, including Oman’s commercial agency registration and Bahrain’s agency law and ownership rules, show how the same question plays out elsewhere in the Gulf.
Under Law No. 1 of 2019, foreign investors can hold up to 100% of a company in many sectors with MOCI approval. If approval is refused in a restricted sector, the franchisee may be limited to 49% foreign ownership, with 51% held by Qatari individuals or entities. Depending on the industry, a Qatari partner may be needed. A franchisor does not need to be a local entity or Qatari-owned.
| Question | Position described in the Out-Law guide |
|---|---|
| Dedicated franchise law | None |
| Franchise agreement registration | Generally not required, except where a commercial agency exists (MOCI registration) |
| Foreign ownership of the franchisee | Up to 100% in many sectors with MOCI approval; 49% cap possible in restricted sectors |
| Local partner | May be needed depending on the industry |
| Franchisor nationality | No local entity or Qatari ownership required |
| Franchise disclosure document | No specific requirement; sufficient pre-signing disclosure is common practice |
Trademarks must be registered to be protected in Qatar, under trade marks law No. 9 of 2002. Registration can be made directly with MOCI or through a centralised application to the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), available since Qatar joined the Madrid Protocol. A brand should file before it signs, not after.
Gulf markets share a pattern: no dedicated franchise statute, a commercial agency regime to manage and a local-partner question that depends on the sector. See the entry routes for Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Egypt, and the format overview in American franchise brands in Southeast Asia and the Gulf. Qatar is also part of live regional news, for example Primark’s Bahrain and Qatar openings through the Alshaya Group.
The choice between a single-unit deal, an area development agreement and a master franchise changes how the agency question and the ownership cap apply. Our explainer on master franchise, area development and joint venture structures sets out the trade-offs, and the checklist on franchise due diligence in Asia Pacific and MENA covers partner verification.
No. Franchising is governed by the Commercial Companies Law No. 11 of 2015, the Commercial Agency Law No. 8 of 2002, Civil Law No. 22 of 2004 and general contract law.
Generally no. The exception is where a commercial agency has been established, in which case the agreement must be registered with MOCI.
In many sectors up to 100% foreign ownership is allowed under Law No. 1 of 2019 with MOCI approval. In restricted sectors the franchisee may be limited to 49%.
No specific requirement exists. Giving sufficient disclosure before signing is common practice.
With the Qatar Ministry of Commerce and Industry or Qatari counsel. Laws and approval practice change, so treat this guide as a starting point.
General information, not legal advice — confirm with the regulator or local counsel. VF Franchise Consulting advises brands and investors on cross-border franchise structures across Asia Pacific and MENA.
Email: info@vffranchiseconsulting.com | Hotline: +84 90 306 54 58
Author: Sean T. Ngo, CEO and Co-founder of VF Franchise Consulting.
