Does City Publications have further liability beyond the printer's warranty for printing defects?
City_Publications Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Franchisee must purchase all printed media materials, including Card Decks,
Whenever this Agreement requires the prior approval or consent of Franchisor, Franchisee shall make a timely written request to Franchisor therefore and, except as otherwise provided herein, any approval or consent granted shall be effective only if in writing. Franchisor makes no warranties or guarantees upon which Franchisee may rely and assumes no liability or obligation to Franchisee or any third party to which it would not otherwise be subject, by providing any waiver, approval, advice, consent or services to Franchisee in connection with this Agreement, or by reason of any neglect, delay or denial of any request therefore.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 39–129)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
Based on the 2025 City Publications Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are required to purchase all printed media materials, including Card Decks, from suppliers. The FDD does not explicitly state whether City Publications assumes liability for printing defects beyond the printer's warranty. However, the document does state that City Publications makes no warranties or guarantees upon which Franchisee may rely and assumes no liability or obligation to Franchisee or any third party to which it would not otherwise be subject, by providing any waiver, approval, advice, consent or services to Franchisee in connection with this Agreement, or by reason of any neglect, delay or denial of any request therefore.
Without a specific mention of liability for printing defects, it is important for prospective franchisees to understand the implications of this lack of guarantee. If printing defects occur, the franchisee may have to rely solely on the printer's warranty, which may not fully cover all potential losses or damages. This could potentially lead to financial losses for the franchisee if they are unable to distribute the Card Decks due to quality issues.
To gain clarity on this issue, a prospective City Publications franchisee should directly ask the franchisor about their policy regarding printing defects and whether City Publications provides any additional protection or recourse beyond the printer's warranty. Understanding this aspect is crucial for assessing the potential risks and costs associated with operating a City Publications franchise.