In Illinois, can a franchisee waive compliance with the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act or any other law of Illinois when acquiring a Bambu franchise?
Bambu Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
In conformance with Section 41 of the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act, any condition, stipulation, or provision purporting to bind any person acquiring any franchise to waive compliance with the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act or any other law of Illinois is void.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 52–209)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bambu's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Illinois franchisees cannot waive compliance with the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act or any other Illinois law. This protection is explicitly stated in the Illinois Rider to the Franchise Agreement.
Specifically, Section 41 of the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act stipulates that any condition, stipulation, or provision that attempts to bind a person acquiring a Bambu franchise to waive compliance with the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act or any other law in Illinois is void. This means that any clause in the franchise agreement or any separate document that suggests an Illinois franchisee is giving up their rights under Illinois law is not enforceable.
This provision is designed to protect franchisees from unknowingly or unwillingly surrendering their legal rights. It ensures that Bambu franchisees in Illinois retain the full protections afforded to them under Illinois law, regardless of what the franchise agreement might otherwise state. This also applies to the MUD (Multi-Unit Development) Agreement, reinforcing the protection for franchisees entering into development agreements with Bambu in Illinois.