Does Dog Haus consider electronically transmitted signatures on the addendum to be valid?
Dog_Haus Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Counterparts and Electronic Transmission; Electronic Signatures. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which together shall be deemed to be one and the same instrument. Copies of this Agreement with signatures that have been transmitted by email or by facsimile shall constitute and be deemed original copies of this Agreement for all purposes, provided that the copies are fully executed, dated and identical in form to the original hard copy version of this Agreement. In addition, this Agreement may be signed electronically by the Parties and electronic signatures appearing on this Agreement shall be deemed to be the same as handwritten signatures for the purposes of the validity, enforceability and admissibility of this Agreement.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 87–328)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Dog Haus's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, agreements can be signed electronically, and these signatures are considered valid. Specifically, the franchise agreement may be signed electronically by all parties involved. Dog Haus considers these electronic signatures to have the same legal standing as handwritten signatures, ensuring the validity, enforceability, and admissibility of the agreement. This allows for a more streamlined and efficient signing process, as documents can be signed and exchanged remotely.
Furthermore, copies of the agreement transmitted via email or facsimile are also considered original copies, provided they are fully executed, dated, and identical to the original hard copy. This provides flexibility in how the agreement is finalized and ensures that franchisees and Dog Haus can rely on these transmitted copies as legally binding documents. This is a common practice in modern franchising, as it speeds up the process and reduces administrative burdens.
This policy benefits prospective Dog Haus franchisees by simplifying the signing process. Franchisees do not need to be physically present to sign documents, and can use electronic signatures or transmit copies via email or fax. However, it is crucial for franchisees to ensure that all electronic copies are complete, dated, and identical to the original to avoid any potential legal issues. Additionally, franchisees should confirm that they have the necessary software and capabilities to handle electronic signatures and transmissions.