Can City Publications negotiate with me about items covered in the Franchise Disclosure Document?
City_Publications Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
THE FRANCHISOR MAY, IF IT CHOOSES, NEGOTIATE WITH YOU ABOUT ITEMS COVERED IN THE FRANCHISE DISCLOSURE DOCUMENT.
HOWEVER, THE FRANCHISOR CANNOT USE THE NEGOTIATING PROCESS TO PREVAIL UPON A PROSPECTIVE FRANCHISEE TO ACCEPT TERMS WHICH ARE LESS FAVORABLE THAN THOSE SET FORTH IN THIS FRANCHISE DISCLOSURE DOCUMENT.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 39–129)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to City Publications' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, City Publications may choose to negotiate terms with prospective franchisees regarding items covered in the FDD, but this ability to negotiate is limited. This information is specifically applicable to franchises in New York.
However, City Publications is restricted from using the negotiation process to pressure potential franchisees into accepting terms that are less favorable than those already outlined in the Franchise Disclosure Document. This means that while some aspects of the agreement might be open for discussion, City Publications cannot force you to agree to conditions that are worse than what is initially presented in the FDD.
This protection is specific to New York, as indicated by the heading "FOR THE STATE OF NEW YORK." Franchisees in other states may not have the same explicit allowance for negotiation or the same explicit protection against being pressured into less favorable terms. Therefore, it is essential for prospective franchisees to understand the specific regulations and protections available in their state.