What specific sections of the Canine Dimensions Franchise Agreement are amended to reflect the franchisee's right to litigate in Maryland?
Canine_Dimensions Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Item 17 of the Disclosure Document is amended to state that the Franchise Agreement requires binding arbitration, the site of which is in the State of Florida, the costs of which are borne by the parties equally and any issues not decided by arbitration may be brought in a court of competent jurisdiction.
However, according to Section 14-216(c)(25) of the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law, a franchisee is permitted to enter into litigation with the Franchisor in the State of Maryland, notwithstanding the language in the Franchise Agreement.
The appropriate sections of the Franchise Agreement are amended accordingly.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 36)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Canine Dimensions' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, several sections of the franchise agreement are amended to reflect a franchisee's right to litigate in Maryland, despite any clauses suggesting otherwise. Specifically, Item 17 of the Disclosure Document is amended, along with Article 23 of the Franchise Agreement, to specify that claims arising under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law must be brought within 3 years after the franchise is granted.
Additionally, Item 17 of the Disclosure Document is amended to acknowledge that while the Franchise Agreement typically requires binding arbitration in Florida, Maryland law permits a franchisee to litigate with Canine Dimensions in Maryland, regardless of the agreement's language. The document states that the appropriate sections of the Franchise Agreement are amended accordingly to reflect this right.
This amendment ensures that Canine Dimensions franchisees in Maryland are not forced to waive their rights to a legal forum within their own state, as protected by Maryland law. It also reflects compliance with Section 14-216(c)(25) of the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law, which explicitly allows franchisees to litigate with the franchisor in Maryland, despite any conflicting language in the Franchise Agreement.