For C12 Group franchises in Minnesota, can litigation be required to be conducted outside of Minnesota?
C12_Group Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
REQUIRED BY STATE OF MINNESOTA
FOR PROSPECTIVE FRANCHISEES IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA
Minn. State. §80C.21 and Minn. Rule 2860.4400J prohibit us from requiring litigation to be conducted outside Minnesota. In addition, nothing in the disclosure document or agreement can abrogate or reduce any of your rights as provided for in Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 80C, or your rights to any procedure, forum, or remedies provided for by the laws or the jurisdiction.
With respect to franchises governed by Minnesota law, the franchisor will comply with Minn. Stat. Sec. 80C.14, Subds. 3, 4, and 5 which require, except in certain specified cases, that a franchisee be given 90 days' notice of termination (with 60 days to cure) and 180 days' notice for non-renewal of the franchise agreement.
Minn. Rule Part 2860.4400J. prohibits a franchisee from waiving his rights to a jury trial or waiving his rights to any procedure, forum, or remedies provided for by the laws of the jurisdiction, or consenting to liquidated damages, termination penalties or judgment notes. With respect to Franchises governed by Minnesota law, any provisions to the contrary in the disclosure document and/or the franchise agreement are hereby deemed to be deleted.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 46–137)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 C12 Group Franchise Disclosure Document, if you are considering a C12 Group franchise in Minnesota, the company is prohibited from requiring that litigation be conducted outside of Minnesota. This protection is explicitly stated under Minnesota Statutes §80C.21 and Minnesota Rule 2860.4400J.
Additionally, the disclosure document and franchise agreement cannot reduce or eliminate any of your rights as a franchisee as provided by Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 80C. This also extends to your rights to any procedure, forum, or remedies available under Minnesota law.
Furthermore, for franchises governed by Minnesota law, C12 Group must comply with Minn. Stat. Sec. 80C.14, Subds. 3, 4, and 5, which mandates that franchisees receive a 90-day notice of termination (with 60 days to cure the issue) and a 180-day notice for non-renewal of the franchise agreement, except in certain specified cases. Also, Minn. Rule Part 2860.4400J. prohibits a franchisee from waiving his rights to a jury trial or waiving his rights to any procedure, forum, or remedies provided for by the laws of the jurisdiction, or consenting to liquidated damages, termination penalties or judgment notes. Any conflicting provisions in the disclosure document or franchise agreement are deemed deleted for franchises governed by Minnesota law.