In Illinois, can a Dryject franchisee waive compliance with the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act or any other law of Illinois?
Dryject Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
In conformance with section 41 of the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act, any condition, stipulation or provision purporting to bind any person acquiring any franchise to waive compliance with the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act or any other law of Illinois is void.
No statement, questionnaire, or acknowledgment signed or agreed to by a franchisee in connection with the commencement of the franchise relationship shall have the effect of (i) waiving any claims under any applicable state franchise law, including fraud in the inducement, or (ii) disclaiming reliance on any statement made by any franchisor, franchise seller, or other person acting on behalf of the franchisor. This provision supersedes any other term of any document executed in connection with the franchise.
THIS ILLINOIS ADDENDUM APPLIES ONLY TO FRANCHISEES WHO ARE RESIDENTS OF ILLINOIS OR LOCATE THEIR FRANCHISES IN ILLINOIS.
Source: Item 8 — BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP (FDD pages 68–229)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Dryject's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, if you are an Illinois resident or locate your Dryject franchise in Illinois, you cannot waive compliance with the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act or any other Illinois law. The Illinois Addendum to the Franchise Agreement explicitly states that any condition, stipulation, or provision that attempts to bind a person acquiring a Dryject franchise to waive compliance with the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act or any other law of Illinois is void. This protection is in place to ensure that franchisees are not unknowingly or unwillingly giving up their legal rights under Illinois law.
Furthermore, the Dryject FDD specifies that no statement, questionnaire, or acknowledgment signed by a franchisee can waive claims under any applicable state franchise law, including claims of fraud in the inducement. Similarly, franchisees cannot disclaim reliance on statements made by Dryject or its representatives. This provision is designed to prevent Dryject from using contractual language to shield itself from liability for misrepresentations or other misconduct.
This protection for Illinois franchisees is reinforced by the statement that this provision supersedes any other term of any document executed in connection with the franchise. This means that even if other parts of the franchise agreement seem to suggest that a franchisee is waiving certain rights, this specific provision in the Illinois Addendum takes precedence and ensures that the franchisee's rights under Illinois law are preserved. This addendum applies specifically to franchisees who are residents of Illinois or who locate their franchises in Illinois.