🇰🇭 Cambodia · reviewed 2026-10-09
Finding a master franchisee in Cambodia
Cambodia's master franchise deals are lightly regulated, which puts more weight on choosing the right partner. A handful of rules still shape the structure: recording, competition law and land.
Rules that shape a Cambodian master deal
- Both the master agreement and any sub-franchise agreements are covered by Prakas 036 and must be recorded with the Department of Intellectual Property Rights within six months to bind third parties. Secondary · DFDL on MOC Prakas 036, 2020-02-01
- Minimum resale prices are banned, so a master agreement that fixes prices for sub-franchisees may need a competition-law exemption. Secondary · Tilleke & Gibbins on competition-law exemptions, 2025-06-04
- If the master franchisee will own store premises, the landholding company must be at least 51% Cambodian-owned. Secondary · Chambers Investing In 2026: Cambodia, 2026-01-20
Vetting checklist
Our checklist for every master franchise candidate, used across Southeast Asia:
- Capital beyond the fee: ask for proof of funds that covers the master fee, the first three to five units and 18 months of head-office running costs. A candidate who can only fund the fee will fund the first stores from sub-franchise sales, which is where most master deals break.
- Operating track record in the same category: someone who already runs multi-site food service or retail in the country knows rents, staffing and suppliers. Ask for the unit list, opening dates and one year of store-level profit and loss.
- A development schedule they wrote themselves: the candidate, not the franchisor, should propose the store-opening schedule by year and city. Compare it with what they have opened for other brands in the past.
- Real estate access: who negotiates leases, with which mall operators, and on what terms. In most Southeast Asian cities the site pipeline decides the first two years more than the brand does.
- Conflicts of interest: list every brand the candidate or their family holds. A competing franchise in the same category is a reason to walk away, or at least to write a non-compete into the agreement.
- Who will run it day to day: meet the general manager, not only the investor. Ask whether they will attend your training in the home market and for how long.
- Legal entity and licences: confirm the company that will sign, its shareholders, and that it can legally hold the business licence, import ingredients and pay royalties abroad. Each country guide explains the local rules.
- References you call yourself: speak to at least two franchisors the candidate has worked with, and one landlord.
Next step
When the shortlist is ready, the FranX Rights Board shows which master and area rights are open by country, with the brand identity hidden on the public listing.
More on Cambodia
Franchising in Cambodia: the 2027 guide for foreign franchisorsFranchising into Cambodia: no franchise statute, recording under Prakas 036, open foreign ownership, first-to-file trademarks and 14% royalty tax.Franchise law and registration in CambodiaCambodia's franchise rules explained: no statute, recording under MOC Prakas 036 within six months, competition-law limits and the planned franchise law.Can foreigners own a business or franchise in Cambodia?Foreign ownership in Cambodia: 100% foreign-owned F&B and retail under the 2021 Law on Investment, the land rule, and what Sub-decree 139 really does.Trademarks and IP for franchisors in CambodiaProtecting a franchise brand in Cambodia: first-to-file registration, mandatory licence recording, and filing through the Madrid Protocol.Tax on royalties and franchise fees in CambodiaCambodian tax on franchise royalties paid abroad: 14% withholding, 10% under the Vietnam, Singapore and Thailand treaties, and 10% VAT reverse charge.ASEAN franchise law comparatorSeven ASEAN markets side by side, from Vietnam to Singapore, with sources.