How does the amendment affect the agreement to arbitrate for Aira Fitness franchisees in Rhode Island under the Rhode Island Franchise Investment Act?
Aira_Fitness Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
| This | eement is by and between Aira Fitness Franchising, LLC and (Franchisee) to amend said Agreement as follows: | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | reement on Governing Law/Consent to Jurisdiction is amended by the e to the original language that appears therein: | |
| franchise agreement restric | Rhode Island Franchise Investment Act provides that 'A provision in a cting jurisdiction or venue to a forum outside this state or requiring nother state is void with respect to a claim otherwise enforceable under | |
| 2. | Section 13(A) of the Franchise Ag following language to the original | reement on Agreement to Arbitrate is amended by the addition of the language that appears therein: |
| Investment Act, that any production outside of Rhode Island is | s with respect to a claim enforceable under the Rhode Island Franchise rovision in a franchise agreement which restricts jurisdiction or venue void. Accordingly, arbitration of a claim enforceable under the Act will and unless the franchisee agrees otherwise." |
Source: Item 17 — **RENEWAL, TERMINATION,TRANSFER AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION THE FRANCHISE RELATIONSHIP (FDD pages 48–54)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Aira Fitness Franchise Disclosure Document, the addendum to the franchise agreement for Rhode Island addresses the agreement to arbitrate. It states that any provision restricting jurisdiction or venue outside of Rhode Island is void with respect to claims enforceable under the Rhode Island Franchise Investment Act.
This means that if a claim is enforceable under the Rhode Island Franchise Investment Act, arbitration must occur within Rhode Island, unless the franchisee agrees otherwise. This amendment ensures that Aira Fitness franchisees in Rhode Island are not forced to arbitrate claims outside of the state, protecting their rights under Rhode Island law.
In practical terms, this addendum provides added protection for Aira Fitness franchisees in Rhode Island, ensuring that they can pursue legal claims within their own state, avoiding the potential burden and expense of traveling to another jurisdiction for arbitration. This aligns with the Rhode Island Franchise Investment Act's aim to protect franchisees within the state.