Where can an action be brought for a City Publications franchise operating in North Dakota?

According to City Publications' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, for franchisees operating in North Dakota, any legal action may be initiated in the appropriate state or federal court within North Dakota. This amendment to the franchise agreement ensures that franchisees are not required to pursue legal action in a different state, which could be more costly and inconvenient.

This provision is particularly important because the standard franchise agreement might otherwise specify a different jurisdiction for legal disputes, potentially requiring a North Dakota franchisee to travel to another state, such as Georgia where City Publications is based, to resolve a legal issue. By allowing actions to be brought in North Dakota, the amendment protects the franchisee's rights and provides a more accessible legal venue.

It is important to note that this amendment is effective only to the extent that it meets the jurisdictional requirements of North Dakota law, independent of the amendment itself. This means that while the franchise agreement is modified to allow legal actions in North Dakota, the specific circumstances of the case must still meet the legal standards for a North Dakota court to have jurisdiction.