Can the RCW 19.100.180 supersede provisions in the Cordova franchise agreement?

According to Cordova's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, RCW 19.100.180, which is part of the Washington Franchise Investment Protection Act, may indeed supersede provisions within the Cordova franchise agreement or related agreements. This specifically concerns the franchisee's relationship with Cordova, potentially affecting areas such as the termination and renewal of the franchise. This protection applies if the franchise offer was accepted in Washington, the franchisee is a Washington resident, or the franchised business operates in Washington.

This means that certain terms in the franchise agreement that might otherwise govern the relationship between Cordova and the franchisee could be overridden by the state law. For example, aspects of franchise termination or renewal that are detailed in the agreement might be subject to different or additional requirements under Washington law. Franchisees should be aware that the franchise agreement provisions, including those summarized in Item 17 of the FDD, are subject to state law.

Furthermore, in any arbitration or mediation involving a Cordova franchise purchased in Washington, the venue for such proceedings will be in Washington, unless otherwise agreed upon or determined by the arbitrator or mediator. Additionally, franchisees are not prohibited from communicating with or complaining to regulators, as this would be inconsistent with the Franchise Disclosure Document and unlawful under RCW 19.100.180(2)(h). These stipulations ensure that Washington franchisees have certain rights and protections under state law that take precedence over conflicting terms in the franchise agreement.