Bank of Queensland is in an increasingly bitter stoush with frustrated branch owners over plans to buy out their shopfronts for what they say is a very low price, ending a franchise model that was critical to the bank’s strategy for more than two decades.

The owners of the branches, known as owner-managers, are considering legal action against the Brisbane lender, with accounting and advisory firm BDO approaching those branch operators, suggesting it can help “maximise value” and provide “legal and strategic support” to get a fairer buyout price.