What is the governing law for Buff City Soap Franchising, LLC?
Buff_City_Soap Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
THIS ADDENDUM is made and entered into on, 20 (the "Effective Date") by and between BUFF CITY SOAP FRANCHISING, LLC, a limited liability company formed under the laws of the State of Delaware, with its principal business address at 5294 Beltline Road, Suite 100, Dallas, Texas 75254, ("we," "us,"' or, "our"), and , a [corporation, limited liability company, general partnership, or limited partnership] formed under the laws of the State of, [or a sole proprietorship] with its principal business address at ("you" or "your"). 1.
BACKGROUND.
We and you are parties to that certain Franchise Agreement dated , 20 (the "Franchise Agreement") that has been signed concurrently with the signing of this Addendum.
This Addendum is annexed to and forms part of the Franchise Agreement.
This Addendum is being signed because (a) any of the offering or sales activity relating to the Franchise Agreement occurred in Illinois and the Buff City Soap Makery that you will operate under the Franchise Agreement will be located in Illinois, and/or (b) you are domiciled in Illinois.
Illinois law governs the agreements between the parties to this franchise.
Section 4 of the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act provides that any provision in a franchise agreement that designates jurisdiction or venue outside the State of Illinois is void.
However, a franchise agreement may provide for arbitration outside of Illinois.
Item 5 is amended to state that payment of Initial Franchise/Development Fees will be deferred until Franchisor has met its initial obligations to franchisee, and franchisee has commenced doing business.
This financial assurance requirements was imposed by the Office of the Illinois Attorney General due to Franchisor's financial condition.
Section 41 of the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act provides that 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 6 — , Securities Offering Fee, in the amount column is revised to state the following: (FDD pages 216–303)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Buff City Soap Franchise Disclosure Document, the governing law for agreements between Buff City Soap and its franchisees depends on the franchisee's location. For franchisees operating in Illinois, Illinois law governs the agreements. This is specified in an addendum to the franchise agreement intended for use in Illinois.
This addendum also states that any provision in a franchise agreement that designates jurisdiction or venue outside the State of Illinois is void, although the franchise agreement may provide for arbitration outside of Illinois. Furthermore, any condition that requires a franchisee to waive compliance with the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act or any other law of Illinois is void.
For prospective Buff City Soap franchisees, this means that if you are located in Illinois, your franchise agreement will be governed by Illinois law, regardless of what the standard franchise agreement might say. This ensures that Illinois franchisees have the protections and rights afforded to them under Illinois state law.