Are a Cicis franchisee's rights upon termination and non-renewal of an area development agreement subject to sections 19 and 20 of the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act?

According to Cicis's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee's rights upon termination and non-renewal of an area development agreement in Illinois are subject to sections 19 and 20 of the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act. This means that the legal rights and protections afforded to franchisees in Illinois under these specific sections of the law will apply in the event of termination or non-renewal of their area development agreement with Cicis.

This provision ensures that Cicis franchisees in Illinois are entitled to the protections outlined in sections 19 and 20 of the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act, which likely cover aspects such as notice requirements, grounds for termination, and potential remedies available to the franchisee. It prevents Cicis from circumventing these statutory protections through the franchise agreement.

For a prospective Cicis franchisee in Illinois, this is a beneficial provision. It provides a degree of legal certainty and protection in the event that the franchise relationship ends, ensuring that the franchisee's rights are governed by established state law. Franchisees should familiarize themselves with the specific provisions of sections 19 and 20 of the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act to fully understand their rights and obligations.