Does the Chatime franchise agreement require a date to be included with the Franchisor's signature?
Chatime Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed, sealed, and delivered this Amendment to the Franchise Agreement on the same date as that on which the Franchise Agreement was executed.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 58–262)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
The 2025 Chatime Franchise Disclosure Document includes amendments to the franchise agreement for Illinois and Virginia, specifying that the parties must execute and deliver the amendment on the same date as the original franchise agreement. This implies that both the amendment and the original agreement should include a date of execution.
For franchisees in Illinois and Virginia, this requirement ensures that the amendment is legally connected to the original franchise agreement. It clarifies that the terms of the amendment take effect concurrently with the franchise agreement, preventing any ambiguity about when the new provisions apply. This is particularly important for clauses related to legal rights and obligations, such as those concerning waivers or governing law.
While the FDD specifies that the Illinois and Virginia amendments should be dated, it does not explicitly state that the standard Chatime franchise agreement requires a date next to the franchisor's signature. Prospective franchisees should confirm with Chatime whether dating the signature is a standard practice or a requirement of the franchise agreement to ensure full compliance and clarity.