For Churchs Chicken franchisees in Minnesota, is Cajun permitted to require litigation to be conducted outside of Minnesota?
Churchs_Chicken Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Minnesota Statute 80C.21 and Minnesota Rule 2860.4400(J) prohibit Cajun from requiring litigation to be conducted outside Minnesota, requiring waiver of a jury trial, or requiring Developer to consent to liquidated damages, termination penalties or judgment notes. In addition, nothing in the Franchise Disclosure Document or agreement(s) can abrogate or reduce (1) any of Developer's rights as provided for in Minnesota Statute 80C or (2) Developer's rights to any procedure, forum, or remedies provided for by the laws of the jurisdiction.
Source: Item 17 — RENEWAL, TERMINATION, TRANSFER AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION (FDD pages 50–55)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Churchs Chicken's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Cajun Global LLC is prohibited from requiring franchisees in Minnesota to conduct litigation outside of Minnesota. Minnesota Statute 80C.21 and Minnesota Rule 2860.4400(J) explicitly state this restriction. This means that any legal disputes between Churchs Chicken and a Minnesota-based franchisee must be resolved within the state of Minnesota, providing a local venue for legal proceedings.
This protection extends to other legal aspects as well. Cajun Global LLC cannot require a waiver of a jury trial or require the franchisee to consent to liquidated damages, termination penalties, or judgment notes. Furthermore, the franchise agreement cannot reduce any of the franchisee's rights as provided by Minnesota Statute 80C or their rights to any procedure, forum, or remedies provided by Minnesota law.
These stipulations are designed to protect the interests of Churchs Chicken franchisees in Minnesota, ensuring they are not subjected to unfavorable legal conditions or forced to litigate in distant or inconvenient locations. This addendum modifies the standard franchise agreement to comply with Minnesota law, providing additional security and legal rights to franchisees operating within the state.