What state's law governs the All County franchise agreement?

According to All County's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchise agreement will be construed and enforced in accordance with Florida law. Specifically, the document states that the governing law and jurisdiction for the agreement is the State of Florida. This means that any legal disputes or interpretations of the franchise agreement will be subject to Florida's legal statutes and court system.

However, the FDD also includes addenda for specific states like Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, California, and Virginia, which modify certain terms of the franchise agreement to comply with those states' franchise laws. For example, Illinois law governs the agreements for franchises in Illinois, and any provision designating jurisdiction and venue outside of Illinois is void, although arbitration may occur outside of the state. Similarly, Maryland franchisees have specific rights under Maryland's franchise laws, including the ability to bring lawsuits in Maryland for claims arising under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law.

Therefore, while the base agreement is governed by Florida law, franchisees should carefully review any state-specific addenda to understand how local laws may modify the agreement's terms and their rights. This is a common practice in franchising to ensure compliance with varying state regulations. Prospective franchisees should consult with a legal professional to fully understand the implications of the governing law and any state-specific addenda.