For City Publications franchises in Wisconsin, what Wisconsin law supersedes conflicting terms in the Franchise Agreement?
City_Publications Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
This Amendment to the Franchise Agreement is agreed to this day of, 20, between CITY PUBLICATIONS FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. and to amend and revise said Franchise Agreement as follows: 1. The Wisconsin Fair Dealership Law Title XIV-A Ch. 135, Sec. 135.01-135.07 will supersede any conflicting terms of the Franchise Agreement. 2. This provision of this Amendment shall be effective only to the extent that the jurisdictional requirements of the Wisconsin Fair Dealership Law applicable to the provisions are met independent of this Amendment. To the extent this addendum shall be deemed to be inconsistent with any terms or conditions of said Franchise Agreement or exhibits or attachments thereto, the terms of this addendum shall govern. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned hereby acknowledges having read this Amendment, and understands and consents to be bound by all of its terms. CITY PUBLICATIONS FRANCHISE GROUP, INC.:
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 39–129)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to City Publications' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the Wisconsin Fair Dealership Law, specifically Title XIV-A Ch. 135, Sec. 135.01-135.07, will take precedence over any conflicting terms found within the City Publications Franchise Agreement for franchisees in Wisconsin.
This means that if any part of the Franchise Agreement clashes with the Wisconsin Fair Dealership Law, the provisions of the Wisconsin law will be enforced instead. This law is designed to protect franchisees, ensuring fair treatment and preventing franchisors from imposing overly burdensome or unfair terms.
However, this protection is conditional. The amendment to the Franchise Agreement states that the Wisconsin Fair Dealership Law will only supersede conflicting terms to the extent that the jurisdictional requirements of the law are met independently of the amendment itself. This implies that the law's protections apply only if the franchisee meets specific criteria or conditions outlined in the Wisconsin Fair Dealership Law, regardless of what the amendment says. Prospective franchisees should consult with a legal professional to fully understand their rights and obligations under both the Franchise Agreement and the Wisconsin Fair Dealership Law.