Under what condition would the laws regulating the sale of franchises or governing the relationship between a Franchisor and Franchisee apply to the City Publications Franchise Agreement?
City_Publications Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Other states may require registration, filing or exemption of a franchise under other laws, such as those that regulate the offer and sale of business opportunities or seller-assisted marketing plans.
ITEM 23. RECEIPT
This disclosure document summarizes certain provisions of the franchise agreement and other information in plain language. Read this disclosure document and all agreements carefully. If City Publications Franchise Group, Inc. offers you a franchise, it must provide this disclosure document to you at least 14 calendar days before you sign a binding agreement with or make a payment to the franchisor or an affiliate in connection with the proposed franchise sale. New York state law requires a franchisor to provide the franchise disclosure document at the earlier of the first personal meeting or 10 business days before the execution of the franchise or other agreement or the payment of any consideration that relates to the franchise relationship.
If City Publications Franchise Group Inc. does not deliver this disclosure document on time or if it contains a false or misleading statement, or a material omission, a violation of federal and state law may have occurred and should be reported to the Federal Trade Commission, Washington, D.C. 20580 and the state agency listed on Exhibit A.
Issuance Date:April 20, 2025.
See Exhibit B for our registered agents authorized to receive service of process.
Richard Houden and Nives Stanetti serve as our franchise sellers and can be reached at (770) 951-0048, at 1300 Parkwood Circle, Suite 100, Atlanta, Georgia 30339.
I have received a disclosure document dated April 20, 2025. This disclosure document included the following exhibits:
- a. List of state administrators
- b. List of state agents for service of process
- c. Franchise agreement
- d. Table of contents of operating manual
- e. Financial statements
- f. List of franchisees
- g. Franchisee disclosure questionnaire
- h. Multi-state addenda
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 39–129)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to City Publications' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchise laws may apply if City Publications does not deliver the disclosure document on time, or if the document contains false, misleading statements, or material omissions. In such cases, a violation of federal and state law may have occurred. The FDD also notes that other states may require registration, filing, or exemption of a franchise under laws regulating business opportunities or seller-assisted marketing plans.
Specifically, the Washington Addendum states that the provisions of the Washington Franchise Investment Protection Act will prevail in the event of a conflict of laws. RCW 19.100.180 may supersede the franchise agreement in areas of termination and renewal, and court decisions may also supersede the agreement in those areas. The addendum also specifies that arbitration or mediation involving a franchise purchased in Washington will occur in Washington, or a mutually agreed-upon location. Franchisees may bring actions in Washington for violations of the Washington Franchise Investment Protection Act.
Similarly, for Maryland franchisees, the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law takes precedence in case of conflicts. Certain sections of the Franchise Agreement are amended to comply with Maryland law, such as those related to general releases, termination upon bankruptcy, governing law, and litigation or arbitration location. Claims under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law must be brought within three years of the franchise grant. For Rhode Island franchisees, the Rhode Island Franchise Investment Act dictates that restrictions on jurisdiction or venue outside of Rhode Island, or the application of other states' laws, are void concerning claims enforceable under the Act.
These stipulations ensure that franchisees are protected by the specific franchise laws of their state, regardless of what the standard City Publications franchise agreement states. Prospective franchisees should carefully review the addenda specific to their state and understand how these laws may affect their rights and obligations.