Does the Virginia addendum to the All County Franchise Disclosure Document apply to all franchises and franchisees?
All_County Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
ADDENDUM TO ALL COUNTY® FRANCHISE DISCLOSURE DOCUMENT FOR THE STATE OF VIRGINIA
The following applies to franchises and franchisees subject to Virginia statutes and regulations.
No statement, questionnaire, or acknowledgment signed or agreed to by a franchisee in connection with the commencement of the franchise relationship shall have the effect of (i) waiving any claims under any applicable state franchise law, including fraud in the inducement, or (ii) disclaiming reliance on any statement made by any franchisor, franchise seller, or other person acting on behalf of the franchisor. This provision supersedes any other term of any document executed in connection with the franchise.
Source: Item 22 — Contracts (FDD page 43)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to All County's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the Virginia addendum applies specifically to franchises and franchisees subject to Virginia statutes and regulations. This means that the provisions outlined in the addendum are only relevant to those operating or planning to operate an All County franchise within the state of Virginia.
The addendum includes a clause that protects franchisees from unintentionally waiving rights under Virginia franchise law. Specifically, it states that no statement, questionnaire, or acknowledgment signed by a franchisee can waive claims related to state franchise law, including fraud in the inducement, or disclaim reliance on statements made by All County or its representatives. This provision takes precedence over any conflicting terms in other franchise documents.
In practical terms, this ensures that All County franchisees in Virginia retain their legal rights and protections under state law, regardless of any standard agreements or acknowledgments they may sign during the franchise commencement. This type of addendum is common in franchise agreements to address specific state laws that may differ from federal regulations or the standard franchise agreement.