Which state's law applies to the Epcon Communities Franchise Agreement, as stated in Section 20.2?

Based on the 2025 Epcon Communities Franchise Disclosure Document, the Personal Covenants and Agreement document is governed by the local laws of Ohio. Specifically, the agreement becomes effective when accepted by Epcon Communities Franchising, LLC in Ohio, and the laws of Ohio, excluding its conflict of laws principles, dictate its interpretation and enforcement.

This means that any legal disputes arising from the Personal Covenants and Agreement will be subject to Ohio law, regardless of where the franchisee is located. This is a standard practice in franchising, as it provides the franchisor with a consistent legal framework across all franchise locations. However, franchisees should be aware that they may need to engage legal counsel familiar with Ohio law if a dispute arises.

It is important to note that this governing law applies specifically to the Personal Covenants and Agreement, and not necessarily to the entire Franchise Agreement. Franchisees should carefully review the Franchise Agreement and any addenda to determine which state's laws govern the overall franchise relationship. Addenda for specific states, such as Maryland, Illinois, and Virginia, modify certain sections of the Franchise Agreement to comply with local laws, potentially affecting the governing law or venue for disputes arising under those specific sections.