What rights does a Basecamp Fitness franchisee waive regarding state franchise laws?
Basecamp_Fitness Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
r her, would have materially affected his or her settlement with the debtor or released party. | | You expressly waive the provisions of Section 1542 of the California Civil Code and expressly release each party | | to be released from all liability or claims arising out of any matters recited in the release.] | | | | | | DATE: |
CALIFORNIA ADDENDUM TO FRANCHISE AGREEMENT
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in the Basecamp Fitness Franchisor LLC Franchise Agreement, the following provisions shall supersede and apply to all Basecamp Fitness franchises offered and sold in the state of California:
This California Addendum is only applicable if you are a resident of California or if your business is located in California.
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- The California Franchise Relations Act (Business and Professions Code Section 20000 through 20043), provides franchisees with additional rights concerning termination and non-renewal of the Franchise Agreement and certain provisions of the Franchise Agreement relating to termination and nonrenewal may be superseded by the Act. There may also be court decisions which may supersede the Franchise Agreement and your relationship with Franchisor, including the areas of termination and renewal of Franchisee's franchise. If the Franchise Agreement is inconsistent with the law, the law will control.
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- The Franchise Agreement requires Franchisee to execute a general release of claims upon renewal or transfer of the Franchise Agreement. California Corporations Code Section 31512 provides that any condition, stipulation or provision purporting to bind any person acquiring any franchise to waive compliance with any provision of that law or any rule or order thereunder is void. Section 31512 voids a waiver of your rights under the Franchise Investment Law (California Corporations Code Section 20010 voids a waiver of your rights under the Franchise Relations Act (Business and Professions Code Sections 20000 - 20043)). To the extent required by such laws, Franchisee shall not be required to execute a general release.
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- The Franchise Agreement requires application of the laws and forum of Minnesota. This provision may not be enforceable under California law.
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- The Franchise Agreement contains a covenant not to compete which extends beyond the termination of the franchise. This provision may not be enforceable under California law.
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- The provision in the Franchise Agreement which terminates the franchise upon the bankruptcy of the Franchisee may not be enforceable under Title 11, United States Code, Section 101.
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- The Franchise Agreement contains a waiver of punitive damages and jury trial provision. These waivers may not be enforceable under California law.
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- The Franchise Agreement requires binding arbitration. The arbitration will occur at the office of the American Arbitration Association in Minneapolis, Minnesota. You will bear all costs of arbitration if we secure any relief against you in the arbitration, or are successful in defending a claim you bring against us in the arbitration. Prospective franchisees are encouraged to consult private legal counsel to determine the applicability of California and federal laws (such as Business and Professions Code section 20040.5, Code of Civil Procedure section 1281, and the Federal Arbitration Act) to any provisions of a franchise agreement restricting venue to a forum outside the State of California.
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- Sections 22 (a) and (b) of the Agreement are deleted in their entirety and replaced with the following:
"[Intentionally Deleted]"
- No statement, questionnaire, or acknowledgment signed or agreed to by 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 the 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.
below. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Addendum as of the date set forth BASECAMP FITNESS FRANCHISOR LLC Its: Its:
ILLINOIS ADDENDUM TO FRANCHISE AGREEMENT
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in the Basecamp Fitness Franchisor LLC Franchise Agreement, the following provisions shall supersede any inconsistent provisions and apply to all Basecamp Fitness franchises offered and sold in the state of Illinois:
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- In conformance with Section 4 of the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act, any provision in a franchise agreement that designates jurisdiction and venue in a forum outside of the State of Illinois is void. However, a franchise agreement may provide for arbitration to take place outside of Illinois.
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- Illinois law governs the Franchise Agreement.
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- Franchisee's rights upon termination and non-renewal are set forth in Sections 19 and 20 of the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act.
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- 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.
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- No statement, questionnaire, or acknowledgment signed or agreed to by 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 the 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.
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- A Surety Bond has been obtained by the Franchisor. The Surety Bond is on file with the Office of the Illinois Attorney General. This financial assurance requirement was imposed by the Office of the Illinois Attorney General due to the Franchisor's guarantor's financial condition.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 61–62)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Basecamp Fitness's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchise agreement may include stipulations that could be interpreted as a franchisee waiving certain rights under state franchise laws. To address this, addenda for specific states like California, Illinois, Virginia, New York, North Dakota, and Washington clarify the franchisee's rights and how state laws supersede certain provisions of the franchise agreement. These addenda ensure that franchisees in these states do not unintentionally waive their rights under applicable state franchise laws.
For example, the California Addendum specifies that any provision requiring a franchisee to waive compliance with California franchise laws is void, and franchisees are not required to execute a general release to the extent prohibited by such laws. Similarly, the Illinois Addendum states that any condition requiring a franchisee to waive compliance with the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act or any other Illinois law is void. Furthermore, franchisees in Illinois do not waive claims under state franchise law, including fraud in the inducement, or disclaim reliance on statements made by Basecamp Fitness.
The Virginia Addendum also ensures that franchisees do not waive any claims under applicable state franchise law, including fraud in the inducement, or disclaim reliance on statements made by Basecamp Fitness. The New York Addendum ensures that the non-waiver provisions of the GBL Section 687.4 and 687.5 are satisfied. The North Dakota Addendum modifies sections of the franchise agreement to ensure franchisees do not consent to termination penalties or liquidated damages and acknowledges that covenants not to compete are generally unenforceable in North Dakota. The Washington Addendum states that the Washington Franchise Investment Protection Act will prevail in the event of a conflict of laws and that RCW 19.100.180 may supersede provisions in the franchise agreement concerning the franchisee's relationship with Basecamp Fitness, including in the areas of termination and renewal.
These state-specific addenda are crucial for prospective Basecamp Fitness franchisees as they clarify the extent to which state laws protect their rights, regardless of what the standard franchise agreement might imply. Franchisees should carefully review the addendum for their specific state to understand which provisions of the franchise agreement are superseded or modified by state law. Consulting with legal counsel is advisable to fully understand these protections and how they apply to their specific situation.