What states are Boulder Designs prospective franchisees who reside in or intend to operate in instructed NOT to complete the Franchise Disclosure Questionnaire?

According to Boulder Designs' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, prospective franchisees who reside in or intend to operate their franchise in California, Maryland, or Washington are instructed not to complete the Franchise Disclosure Questionnaire. This questionnaire aims to identify any unauthorized statements or promises made to the prospective franchisee during the franchise sales process.

This instruction likely stems from specific state laws or regulations in California, Maryland, and Washington regarding franchise sales and disclosures. These states may have their own requirements for franchisor disclosures or franchisee protections that render the standard questionnaire either redundant or potentially conflicting with state-specific regulations.

For a prospective Boulder Designs franchisee, this means that if they are considering operating in one of these three states, they should be particularly diligent in understanding the franchise agreement and disclosure documents, as they will not have the additional check provided by the questionnaire. It would be prudent to seek legal counsel to ensure full compliance with all applicable state laws and regulations before entering into a franchise agreement. They should also confirm with Boulder Designs the reason for this exclusion and what alternative processes are in place to ensure they receive accurate and complete information.