Can the new City Publications franchise agreement differ from the original agreement?
City_Publications Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
FOR THE STATE OF WISCONSIN
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.:
EXHIBIT D TO THE DISCLOSURE DOCUMENT
FOR THE STATE OF MARYLAND
This Amendment to the Franchise Agreement is agreed to this day of, 20, between CITY PUBLICATIONS FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. and as follows: to amend and revise said Franchise Agreement 1. In recognition of the requirements of the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law, Md. Code be amended as follows: Ann., Bus. Reg. §§14-201-14-233, the Franchise Agreement for CITY PUBLICATIONS FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. shall ◼ Sections 5B.10 and 20B.2 of the Franchise Agreement require Franchisee to sign a general release as a condition of renewal and transfer of the franchise; such release shall exclude claims arising under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law. ◼ Section 18B1.h of the Franchise Agreement which terminates the Franchise Agreement upon the bankruptcy of the Franchisee may not be enforceable under federal bankruptcy law (11 U.S.C. Section 101, et seq.). ◼ Section 24A of the Franchise Agreement requires that the franchise be governed by Georgia Law; however, in the event of a conflict of lawsto the extent required by the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law, Maryland law shall prevail. ◼ Sections 24B and 24G of the Franchise Agreement require litigation or arbitration to be conducted in the State of Georgia; the requirement shall not limit any rights Franchisee may have under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law to bring suit in the State of Maryland. ◼ Any claims arising under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law must be brought within three (3) years after the grant of the franchise. 2. 3. Each provision of this Amendment shall be effective only to the extent that the jurisdictional requirements of the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure 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. Based on our financial condition, the Maryland Securities Commissioner has required a financial assurance. Therefore, all initial fees and payments owed by franchisees shall be deferred until we complete our pre-opening obligations under the franchise agreement. 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.:
FOR THE STATE OF MINNESOTA
FOR THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
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. In recognition of the requirements of The Rhode Island Franchise Investment Act §19-28.1-14, the Franchise Agreement for CITY PUBLICATIONS FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. shall be amended as follows: ◼ Sections 5B.10 and 20B.2 of the Franchise Agreement require Franchisee to sign a general release as a condition of renewal and transfer of the franchise; such release shall exclude claims arising under The Rhode Island Franchise Investment Act. ◼ Sections 24A and 24B of the Franchise Agreement shall be amended to state that restricting jurisdiction or venue to a forum outside the state of Rhode Island or requiring the application of the laws of another state is void with respect to a claim otherwise enforceable under The Rhode Island Franchise Investment Act. 2. Each provision of this Amendment shall be effective only to the extent that the jurisdictional requirements of the Rhode Island 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.:
FOR THE STATE OF VIRGINIA
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: ◼ Section 18B.1.h of the Franchise Agreement which terminates the Franchise Agreement upon the bankruptcy of the Franchisee may not be enforceable under federal bankruptcy law (11 U.S.C.
Section 101, et seq.).
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 the 2025 City Publications Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchise agreement can be amended and revised through addenda, particularly to comply with state-specific franchise laws. For example, amendments are included for franchisees in Maryland, Wisconsin, Rhode Island, and Virginia. These amendments address issues such as franchise termination upon bankruptcy, general releases upon renewal or transfer, governing law, and venue for litigation or arbitration, ensuring compliance with local regulations like the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law, the Wisconsin Fair Dealership Law, and the Rhode Island Franchise Investment Act.
These state-specific addenda supersede any conflicting terms in the original franchise agreement. This means that certain clauses in the standard City Publications franchise agreement may not apply or may be modified to protect the franchisee's rights under state law. For instance, the Maryland addendum defers initial fees and payments until City Publications completes its pre-opening obligations, reflecting a financial assurance required by the Maryland Securities Commissioner. Similarly, the Rhode Island addendum ensures that franchisees retain their rights under The Rhode Island Franchise Investment Act, regardless of what the standard agreement says about jurisdiction or venue.
For a prospective City Publications franchisee, this highlights the importance of carefully reviewing any state-specific addenda to understand how the franchise agreement is modified in their particular state. It also underscores the need to seek legal counsel to ensure full comprehension of their rights and obligations under both the standard agreement and any applicable state laws. The fact that City Publications includes these addenda suggests a willingness to adapt the franchise agreement to comply with local legal requirements, which can be a positive sign for franchisees concerned about legal compliance and protection of their interests.