What state's laws govern the Area Development Agreement for Dermani Medspa?
Dermani_Medspa Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
| Provision | Section in Franchise Agreement | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| to you and without restriction. | ||
| k. “Transfer” by you – defined | Section 12.2 | Includes any sale, assignment, gift, conveyance, pledge, mortgage or other encumbrance or disposition of any interest in the Franchise Agreement, the Franchised Business or you (if you are not a natural person). |
| l. Our approval of transfer by you | Section 12.3 | You may not transfer the Franchise Agreement without our prior written consent. We will not unreasonably withhold our consent. Our consent to a transfer is not a waiver of any claims we have against you. |
| m. Conditions for our approval of transfer | Section 12.3 | Your full compliance with the Franchise Agreement; our approval of transferee; you are current in fees owed to us; transferee signs then-current franchise agreement; payment of transfer fee; release signed; you comply with non-competition covenants; all obligations to us satisfied; and others. |
| n. Our right of first | Section 12.6 | We have the right of first refusal if you determine to sell |
| refusal to acquire your | or transfer your interest in the franchisee, the Franchise | |
| business | Agreement or the Franchised Business. | |
| o. Our option to purchase your business | Section 15.5 | Upon termination or expiration of the Franchise Agreement, we have the right to purchase all or a portion of the assets of your Franchised Business at their fair market value. |
| p. Your death or disability | Section 12.5 | Your estate must transfer your interest in the Franchised Business to a third party we approve within 12 months after death or disability. Your estate must appoint a manager within 30 days of death or disability and an Operating Principal within 90 days after death or disability |
| q. Non-competition covenants during the term of the franchise | Article 7 | Includes a prohibition on engaging in Competitive Business, including any medspa, medical care center, or business that offers or provides laser hair removal, skin rejuvenation, chemical peels, body contouring/skin tightening, microneedling, dermaplaning, or injections for a medical center, medical care practice management business, or any other product or service or management service that is similar to the services and products or servicesauthorizedtobeofferedorsoldunderthe |
| Provision | Section in Franchise Agreement | Summary Marks and the System. |
| r. Non-competition covenants after the franchise is terminated or expires | Section 15.4 | Includes a two year prohibition on a Competitive Business at the Premises, within the Territory, within five miles of the border of the Territory, or within the Territory of other Franchised Businesses in operation or under construction. |
| s. Modification of the agreement | Section 18.10 | The Franchise Agreement may only be modified by written agreement signed by both parties. You must comply with the Manual System Standards as amended. |
| t. Integration/merger clause | Section 18.13 | Only the terms of the Franchise Agreement and other related written agreements are binding (subject to applicable federal and/or state law). Any representations or promises outside of the Disclosure Document and Franchise Agreement may not be enforceable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this or any related agreement is intended to disclaim the express representations made in the Franchise Disclosure Document, its exhibits and amendments. |
| u. Dispute resolution by arbitration or mediation | Section 18.5 | Before bringing an action in court, the parties must first submit the dispute to non–binding mediation (except that either party can go to court to seek injunctive relief for certain matters). (subject to state law) |
| v. Choice of forum | Section 18.5 | Any action you bring against us must be in the state and judicial district in which we have our principal place of business. Any action we bring against you may be brought in the state and judicial district in which we have our principal place of business. (subject to state law) |
| w. Choice of law | Section 18.6 | Subject to applicable state law, Florida without regard to its conflict of laws or rules (except to the extent federal law applies). |
| Provision | Section in Area Development Agreement | Summary |
| a. Length of the franchise term | Section 4.1 | At the earlier of the day the last dermani MEDSPA opens for business or on last day specified in Development Agreement. |
| b. Renewal or extension | Section 4.2 | There are no renewal terms. |
| of the term | ||
| c. Requirements for you | Not Applicable | Not Applicable |
| to renew or extend | ||
| d. Termination by you | Not Applicable | Not Applicable |
| e. Termination by us | Not Applicable | Not Applicable |
| without cause | ||
| f. Termination by us with | Section 8 | We may terminate your agreement with cause as |
| cause | described in (g)-(h) of this chart. (See Notes 1 and 3). | |
| g. “Cause” defined – curable defaults | Section 8.3 | Any other default not specified in Sections 8.1 or 8.2, such as a material failure to comply with other agreement terms. |
| h. “Cause” defined - non- curable defaults | Sections 8.1 and 8.2 | Bankruptcy, insolvency, and others; failure to meet Development Schedule; termination of a Franchise Agreement. (Under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, we may be unable to terminate the agreement merely because you make a bankruptcy filing.) |
| i. Your obligations on termination/ nonrenewal | Section 8.5 | Cease developing new Franchised Businesses and dermani MEDSPA®s; and payment of amounts due, and others; see also § 8.4 (actions in lieu of termination). |
| j. Assignment of contract | Section 7.1 | There are no limits on our right to assign the Area |
| by us | Development Agreement. | |
| k. “Transfer” by you – | Section 7.2 | Includes transfer of any interest. |
| defined | ||
| l. Our approval of | Sections 7.3, 7.4 and 7.5 | You must obtain our prior written consent for any |
| transfer by you | proposed transfer. | |
| Provision | Section in Area Development Agreement | Summary the Franchise Disclosure Document, its exhibits and amendments. |
| u. Dispute resolution by arbitration or mediation | Section 12.5 | Before bringing an action in court, the parties must first submit the dispute to non–binding mediation (except that either party can go to court to seek injunctive relief for certain matters). (subject to state law) |
| v. Choice of forum | Section 12.6 | Any action you bring against us must be in the state and judicial district in which we have our principal place of business. Any action we bring against you may be brought in the state and judicial district in which we have our principal place of business. (subject to state law) |
| w. Choice of law | Section 12.7 | Florida without regard to its conflict of laws or rules (except to the extent federal law applies). (subject to state law) |
Source: Item 19 — FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE REPRESENTATIONS (FDD pages 58–61)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Dermani Medspa's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the Area Development Agreement is governed by Florida law. Specifically, Section 12.7 of the agreement dictates that Florida law applies without regard to its conflict of laws or rules, except to the extent that federal law applies. This means that any legal disputes or interpretations of the agreement will be subject to Florida's legal framework.
This choice of law has significant implications for prospective Dermani Medspa franchisees. It means that regardless of where the franchisee is located, Florida law will be used to interpret the Area Development Agreement. Franchisees should familiarize themselves with Florida law or seek legal counsel in Florida to fully understand their rights and obligations under the agreement.
It is important to note that while Florida law governs the agreement, there are exceptions. Federal law will take precedence where applicable. Additionally, the document mentions that dispute resolution may be subject to state law, indicating that certain aspects of dispute resolution could be influenced by the franchisee's local state laws. Franchisees should consult with legal counsel to understand how these exceptions might affect them.
Prospective franchisees should carefully review Section 12 of the Area Development Agreement, paying close attention to the subsections on dispute resolution, choice of forum, and choice of law. Understanding which state's laws govern the agreement is crucial for protecting their interests and ensuring compliance with the terms of the franchise.