What is the purpose of the amendment to the City Publications Franchise Agreement described in this section?
City_Publications Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
| CTIVE DATE | |
|---|---|
| California | April 21, 2024 |
| Hawaii | |
| Illinois | April 30, 2024 |
| Indiana | June 21, 2024 |
| Maryland | November 4, 2024 |
| Michigan | July 16, 2024 |
| Minnesota | September 17, 2024 |
| New York | June 13, 2024 |
| North Dakota | |
| Rhode Island | |
| South Dakota | |
| Virginia | November 15, 2024 |
| Washington | October 18, 2024 |
| Wisconsin | October 7, 2024 |
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
| PUBLICATIONS FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. and to a solution of the Minnesota Franchise Law, Minn. Stat 80C.22, and the Rules and Regulations promulgated pursuant thereto by the Minnesota Rule 2860.4400, et. seq., the parties to the attached Franchise Agreement shall be ame franchises governed by Minnesota Law, the Franchisor versual Franchise Law which requires, except in certain specified can days notice of termination (with 60 days to cure) and 180 days notice of termination (with Franchise Agreement do not sections 5B.10 and 20B.2 of the Franchise Agreement do not sections 5B.10 and 20B.2 of the Franchise Agreement do not sections 5B.10 and 20B.2 of the Franchise Agreement do not sections 5B.10 and 20B.2 of the Franchise Agreement do not sections 5B.10 and 20B.2 of the Franchise Agreement do not sections 5B.10 and 20B.2 of the Franchise Agreement do not sections 5B.10 and 20B.2 of the Franchise Agreement do not sections 5B.10 and 20B.2 of the Franchise Agreement do not sections 5B.10 and 20B.2 of the Franchise Agreement do not section the section of the first three days are sections 5B.10 and 20B.2 of the Franchise Agreement do not section the first three days are sections 5B.10 and 20B.2 of the Franchise Agreement do not section three days are sections 5B.10 and 20B.2 of the Franchise Agreement do not section three days are sections as a section three days are sections as a section three days are sections as a section three days are sections as a section three days are sections as a section three days are sections as a section three days are sections as a section three days are section to the section three days are section to the section three days are section to the section three days are section three days are section to the section three days are section to the section three days are section to the section three days are section to the section three days are section to the section three days are section to the section three days are section to the section three days are section to the section three days are se | t., Chapter 80C, Sections 80C.01 through the Minnesota Commission of Securities, ment agree as follows: \nended to add that with respect to will comply with the Minnesota ses, that a Franchisee be given 90 days notice of non-renewal of the the provide for a prospective general to the Minnesota Franchise Law. |
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ne Minnesota Commission of Securities, ment agree as follows: \nended to add that with respect to will comply with the Minnesota ses, that a Franchisee be given 90 lays notice of non-renewal of the trovide for a prospective general to the Minnesota Franchise Law. |
| franchises governed by Minnesota Law, the Franchisor version of Franchise Law which requires, except in certain specified can days notice of termination (with 60 days to cure) and 180 days regreement. Sections 5B.10 and 20B.2 of the Franchise Agreement do not | will comply with the Minnesota ses, that a Franchisee be given 90 lays notice of non-renewal of the provide for a prospective general to the Minnesota Franchise Law. to the Minnesota Franchise Law. |
| release of claims against Franchisor which may be subject Minn. Rule 2860.4400D prohibits a franchisor from requiring release. |
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 39–129)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 City Publications Franchise Disclosure Document, the purpose of the amendment to the franchise agreement is to ensure compliance with state franchise laws. Specifically, the FDD includes amendments for California, Maryland, Rhode Island, Virginia, and Washington, addressing how the Franchise Agreement interacts with each state's regulations. These amendments recognize the requirements of each state's franchise laws, such as the California Franchise Investment Law, the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law, and the Rhode Island Franchise Investment Act.
For example, the amendment for California clarifies that certain provisions in the standard City Publications Franchise Agreement, such as those related to termination, non-renewal, non-compete clauses, litigation venue, choice of law, liquidated damages, and binding arbitration, may be superseded or unenforceable under California law. Similarly, the Maryland amendment addresses franchisee releases, termination upon bankruptcy, governing law, and litigation or arbitration venues to align with Maryland law. The Rhode Island amendment focuses on jurisdiction and venue restrictions to comply with the Rhode Island Franchise Investment Act.
These amendments are crucial for prospective City Publications franchisees because they highlight specific areas where the standard franchise agreement is modified to protect their rights under state laws. Franchisees should carefully review the amendment for their specific state and consult with legal counsel to understand how these changes affect their franchise agreement and their rights within that state. This ensures that the franchise agreement complies with local regulations and provides franchisees with the protections afforded by state law.