It is good practice to have a lawyer review the agreement. As in life, you should always have all important contracts reviewed; always consider the cost, advantages and disadvantages when deciding whether to sign.

It is a fact of life that most people enter into contracts all the time without even reading them, let alone having a lawyer review them. Minor contracts, such as with cell phone companies, will have you commit to a monthly, minimum payment for a few years. Other contracts can be far more substantial such as insurance policies to protect your property and family, or the largest single contract most people enter into are a home mortgage. Virtually anyone who has a mortgage signed the inch-thick contract without hesitation.

Even if a franchise agreement is non-negotiable; you should still ask yourself if the potential benefit of a review will be greater than the expense. Ultimately, it will come down to whether you really want the franchise, and if you do, then the contract "is what it is".