Can provisions in the Dryject franchise agreement unreasonably restrict the statute of limitations for claims under the Washington Franchise Investment Protection Act?
Dryject Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
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- Statute of Limitations and Waiver of Jury Trial. Provisions contained in the franchise agreement or related agreements that unreasonably restrict or limit the statute of limitations period for claims under the Washington
Franchise Investment Protection Act, or rights or remedies under the Act such as a right to a jury trial, may not be enforceable.
Source: Item 8 — BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP (FDD pages 68–229)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Dryject Franchise Disclosure Document, provisions within the franchise agreement or related documents that unreasonably restrict or limit the statute of limitations period for claims under the Washington Franchise Investment Protection Act may not be enforceable. This also applies to rights or remedies under the Act, such as the right to a jury trial.
For a prospective Dryject franchisee in Washington, this means that the franchise agreement cannot unduly shorten the time they have to bring a claim under Washington's franchise laws. The statute of limitations is the period within which a lawsuit must be filed. If a Dryject franchise agreement attempts to limit this period unreasonably, that specific provision may be deemed unenforceable by a court.
This protection ensures that franchisees have adequate time to discover and pursue legal claims related to violations of the Washington Franchise Investment Protection Act. It prevents Dryject from using the franchise agreement to shield itself from liability by imposing unfairly short deadlines for franchisees to take legal action. Franchisees should consult with an attorney if they believe their rights under the Washington Franchise Investment Protection Act have been violated and to understand the applicable statute of limitations.