Does the provision regarding waiver of claims and disclaiming reliance supersede other terms in documents executed in connection with the City Publications franchise?
City_Publications Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
| -refundable Franchise Fees: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Balance beginning of year | $ 56,679 | $ 48,752 |
| Deferral of non-refundable franchise fees | 59,400 | 30,300 |
| Recognition of non-refundable franchise fees | (34,253) | (22,373) |
| Balance at end of year | $ 81,826 | $ 56,679 |
EXHIBIT C TO THE FRANCHISE AGREEMENT
MULTI-STATE ADDENDA
AMENDMENT TO THE FRANCHISE AGREEMENT CITY PUBLICATIONS FRANCHISE GROUP, INC.
FOR ALL STATES
No statement, questionnaire, or acknowledgment signed or agreed to by a franchise
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 39–129)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to City Publications' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the multi-state addenda includes a provision addressing waivers and disclaimers. For all states, no statement, questionnaire, or acknowledgment signed by a franchisee at the start of the franchise relationship can waive claims under state franchise law, including fraud in the inducement, or disclaim reliance on statements made by City Publications or its representatives. This specific provision takes precedence over any conflicting terms in any document related to the franchise agreement. This protection is explicitly stated to supersede any other term of any document executed in connection with the franchise.
This means that franchisees are protected from inadvertently giving up their legal rights through standard paperwork. The clause ensures that franchisees retain their ability to pursue claims of fraud or misrepresentation, regardless of any waivers or disclaimers they may have signed. This is particularly relevant in the context of franchise sales, where franchisees often rely heavily on the franchisor's representations about the business opportunity.
However, prospective City Publications franchisees should be aware of the specific state laws that may further modify or enhance these protections. For example, the addenda includes specific amendments for states like California, Rhode Island, Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, which may provide additional rights or restrictions. Franchisees should carefully review the addenda applicable to their state and consult with legal counsel to fully understand their rights and obligations.
In summary, the multi-state addenda provides a baseline level of protection for City Publications franchisees by preventing waivers of claims and disclaimers of reliance. This provision is designed to override any conflicting terms in other franchise documents, ensuring that franchisees retain their legal rights under applicable state franchise laws. However, franchisees should also be aware of any state-specific amendments that may further modify these protections.