What section of the Virginia Retail Franchising Act restricts franchise agreements for Dryject?
Dryject Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
In recognition of the restrictions contained in Section 13.1-564 of the Virginia Retail Franchising Act, the Franchise Disclosure Document for DryJect Management, LLC for use in the Commonwealth of Virginia shall be amended as follows:
The Summary column of Item 17 Paragraph (h) of the Virginia Disclosure Document is modified by adding the following at the end of the sentence:
"Pursuant to Section 13.1.564 of the Virginia Franchising Act, it is unlawful for a franchisor to cancel a franchise agreement without reasonable cause. If any ground for default or termination stated in the franchise agreement does not constitute "reasonable cause" as that term may be defined in the Virginia Retail Franchising Act or laws of Virginia, that provision may not be enforceable."
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.
Source: Item 8 — BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP (FDD pages 68–229)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Dryject Franchise Disclosure Document, Section 13.1-564 of the Virginia Retail Franchising Act places restrictions on franchise agreements within the Commonwealth of Virginia. Specifically, it addresses the grounds for termination, stating that it is unlawful for Dryject to cancel a franchise agreement without "reasonable cause".
This means that if any of the reasons for default or termination listed in the Dryject franchise agreement do not meet the definition of "reasonable cause" under Virginia law, those provisions may not be enforceable. This addendum ensures that Dryject franchisees in Virginia are protected from potentially unfair or arbitrary terminations.
Furthermore, the addendum clarifies that no statement, questionnaire, or acknowledgment signed by a franchisee can waive claims under Virginia franchise law, including claims related to fraud in the inducement, or disclaim reliance on statements made by Dryject or its representatives. This provision is designed to protect franchisees from unknowingly giving up their legal rights and supersedes any conflicting terms in other documents related to the franchise agreement.