In Michigan, can Beyond Juicery Eatery prohibit a franchisee from joining a franchisee association?

According to the 2025 Beyond Juicery Eatery Franchise Disclosure Document, the state of Michigan has specific regulations regarding unfair provisions in franchise agreements. The document states, "THE STATE OF MICHIGAN PROHIBITS CERTAIN UNFAIR PROVISIONS THAT ARE SOMETIMES IN FRANCHISE DOCUMENTS." This suggests that there are legal limitations on what Beyond Juicery Eatery can include in its franchise agreement that might unfairly restrict a franchisee's rights.

However, the excerpt does not explicitly state whether a prohibition on joining a franchisee association is considered an unfair provision under Michigan law. Franchisee associations can provide numerous benefits to franchisees, including collective bargaining power, a platform for sharing best practices, and a unified voice in addressing concerns with the franchisor.

Therefore, while the FDD acknowledges the existence of protections against unfair provisions in Michigan, it does not directly address the legality of restricting franchisee association membership. A prospective Beyond Juicery Eatery franchisee in Michigan should consult with a franchise attorney to determine whether a clause prohibiting or restricting membership in a franchisee association would be enforceable under Michigan law. They should also ask Beyond Juicery Eatery directly about their policy on franchisee associations and whether the franchise agreement contains any clauses that could be interpreted as restricting a franchisee's ability to join or participate in such an association.