What is the impact of RCW 19.100.180 on the Body20 franchise agreement?
Body20 Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
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- Franchisee Bill of Rights.
RCW 19.100.180 may supersede provisions in the franchise agreement or related agreements concerning your relationship with the franchisor, including in the areas of termination and renewal of your franchise.
There may also be court decisions that supersede the franchise agreement or related agreements concerning your relationship with the franchisor.
Franchise agreement provisions, including those summarized in Item 17 of the Franchise Disclosure Document, are subject to state law.
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- Fair and Reasonable Pricing.
Any provision in the franchise agreement or related agreements that requires the franchisee to purchase or rent any product or service for more than a fair and reasonable price is unlawful under RCW 19.100.180(2)(d).
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- Certain Buy-Back Provisions.
Provisions in franchise agreements or related agreements that permit the franchisor to repurchase the franchisee's business for any reason during the term of the franchise agreement without the franchisee's consent are unlawful pursuant to RCW 19.100.180(2)(j), unless the franchise is terminated for good cause.
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- Prohibitions on Communicating with Regulators. Any provision in the franchise agreement or related agreements that prohibits the franchisee from communicating with or complaining to regulators is inconsistent with the express instructions in the Franchise Disclosure Document and is unlawful under RCW 19.100.180(2)(h).
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- Franchisor's Business Judgement.
Provisions in the franchise agreement or related agreements stating that the franchisor may exercise its discretion on the basis of its reasonable business judgment may be limited or superseded by RCW 19.100.180(1), which requires the parties to deal with each other in good faith.
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- Conflict of Laws.
In the event of a conflict of laws, the provisions of the Washington Franchise Investment Protection Act, chapter 19.100 RCW will prevail.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 74–251)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Body20's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, RCW 19.100.180, the Washington Franchise Investment Protection Act, has several implications for the franchise agreement. The franchise agreement may be superseded by RCW 19.100.180 concerning the franchisee's relationship with Body20, specifically in areas of termination and renewal.
Several specific provisions within the Body20 franchise agreement are subject to this law. For example, any requirement for a franchisee to purchase or rent products or services at more than a fair and reasonable price is unlawful under RCW 19.100.180(2)(d). Provisions allowing Body20 to repurchase the franchisee's business without consent during the term, unless terminated for good cause, are unlawful under RCW 19.100.180(2)(j). Additionally, any provision that prohibits a franchisee from communicating with regulators is unlawful under RCW 19.100.180(2)(h).
Furthermore, the FDD states that Body20 must deal with franchisees in good faith, as required by RCW 19.100.180(1), which may limit or supersede the franchisor's discretion, even when based on reasonable business judgment. In the event of conflicting laws, the Washington Franchise Investment Protection Act will take precedence. These stipulations ensure that franchisees in Washington State receive the protections afforded to them under state law, regardless of what the franchise agreement may state.