factual

Does the Fitstop disclosure document include a state addendum to the disclosure document?

Fitstop Franchise · 2024 FDD

Answer from 2024 FDD Document

bound legally by it. The person executing this General Release represents, with the signature below, that they are duly authorized | | Releasor: | Releasor: | | Signature | Signature | | Print Name/Date | Print Name/Date | | Releasor: | Releasor: | | Signature | Signature | | Print Name/Date | Print Name/Date |

EXHIBIT H: STATE-SPECIFIC ADDENDUM TO THE DISCLOSURE DOCUMENT

STATE ADDENDUM TO DISCLOSURE DOCUMENT

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in the Franchise Disclosure Document, the following provisions shall supersede and apply to all franchises offered and sold in the states identified below:

FOR THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

Registration of this franchise does not constitute approval, recommendation, or endorsement by the Commissioner of the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation.

THE CALIFORNIA FRANCHISE INVESTMENT LAW REQUIRES THAT A COPY OF ALL PROPOSED AGREEMENTS RELATING TO THE SALE OF THE FRANCHISE BE DELIVERED TOGETHER WITH THE DISCLOSURE DOCUMENT.

The California Corporations Code, Section 31125, requires that we give you a disclosure document, approved by the Department of Business Oversight, prior to solicitation of a proposed material modification of your Franchise Agreement.

OUR WEBSITES HAVE NOT BEEN REVIEWED OR APPROVED BY THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL PROTECTION AND INNOVATION. ANY COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THE CONTENTS OF THIS WEBSITE MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL PROTECTION AND INNOVATION AT www.dfpi.ca.gov.

Item 3 of the Disclosure Document is supplemented by the following:

  1. Neither the franchisor nor any person identified in Item 2 of the Disclosure Document is subject to any current effective order of any national securities association or national securities exchange as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, U.S.C.A., 78a et. seq., suspending or expelling such persons from membership in such association or exchange.

Item 5 of the Disclosure Document is supplemented by the following:

  1. The Department has determined that we, the franchisor, have not demonstrated we are adequately capitalized and/or that we must rely on franchise fees to fund our operations. The Commissioner has imposed a fee deferral condition, which requires that we defer the collection of all initial fees from California franchisees until we have completed all of our pre-opening obligations and you are open for business. For California franchisees who sign a development agreement, the payment of the development and initial fees attributable to a specific unit in your development schedule is deferred until that unit is open.

Item 17 of the Disclosure Document is supplemented by the following:

    1. California Business and Professions Code Sections 20000 through 20043 provide rights to the franchisee concerning termination, transfer or non-renewal of a franchise. If the Franchise Agreement contains a provision that is inconsistent with the law, the law will control.
    1. The Franchise Agreement provides for termination upon bankruptcy. This provision may not be enforceable under federal bankruptcy law (11 U.S.C.A. Sec. 101 et seq).
    1. The Franchise Agreement contains a covenant not to solicit our customers or employees which extends beyond the termination of the franchise. This provision may not be enforceable under California law.

    1. You must sign a general release of claims if you renew or transfer your franchise. California Corporations Code Section 31512 voids a waiver of your rights under the Franchise Investment Law (California Corporations Code Sections 31000 through 31516). Business and Professions Code Section 20010 voids a waiver of your rights under the Franchise Relations Act (Business and Professions Code Sections 20000 through 20043).
    1. California Corporations Code section 31512.1 prohibits a franchisor from disclaiming or denying representations made by the franchisor or its agents to a prospective franchisee or a franchisee's reliance on these representations, or disclaiming violations under the law, in any franchise disclosure document, franchise agreement, or related document. If the Franchise Disclosure Document, Franchise Agreement, or any related document or exhibit contains a provision that is inconsistent with the law, the law will control.
    1. California Corporations Code, Section 31125 requires us to give you a disclosure document, approved by the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation before we ask you to consider a material modification of your Franchise Agreement.
    1. THE CALIFORNIA FRANCHISE INVESTMENT LAW REQUIRES THAT A COPY OF ALL PROPOSED AGREEMENTS RELATING TO THE SALE OF THE FRANCHISE BE DELIVERED TOGETHER WITH THE DISCLOSURE DOCUMENT.
    1. The indemnification provision in the Franchise Agreement may not be fully enforceable as to punitive damages under California law.
    1. The Franchise Agreement contains covenants not to compete that extend beyond expiration or termination of the agreement. This provision may not be enforceable under California law.
    1. California's Franchise Investment Law (Corporations Code sections 31512 and 31512.1) states that any provision of a franchise agreement or related document requiring the franchisee to waive specific provisions of the law is contrary to public policy and is void and unenforceable. The law also prohibits a franchisor from disclaiming or denying (i) representations it, its employees, or its agents make to you, (ii) your ability to rely on any representations it makes to you, or (iii) any violations of the law.

The provision of this Additional Disclosure shall be effective only to the extent, with respect to such provision, that the jurisdictional requirements of the California Franchise Investment Law are met independently without reference to these Additional Disclosures.

FOR THE STATE OF ILLINOIS

Item 17 of the Disclosure Document is supplemented by the following:

    1. The Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act provides that any provision in the Franchise Agreement that designates jurisdiction or venue in a forum outside of Illinois is void with respect to any action which is otherwise enforceable in Illinois.
    1. The Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act requires that Illinois law apply to any claim arising under the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act.

  1. The conditions under which your Franchise Agreement can be terminated and your rights upon nonrenewal may be affected by Sections 19 and 20 of the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act.

Each provision of these Additional Disclosures shall be effective only to the extent, with respect to such provision, that the jurisdictional requirements of the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act are met independently without reference to these Additional Disclosures. The Additional Disclosures shall have no force or effect if such jurisdictional requirements are not met.

FOR THE STATE OF INDIANA

Item 17 of the Disclosure Document is supplemented by the following:

    1. The Indiana Deceptive Franchise Practices Law (Indiana Code 23-2-2.7 et seq.) in general governs the relationship between the franchisor and the franchisee by forbidding certain provisions in the Franchise Agreement and related documents and by preventing the franchisor from engaging in certain acts and practices which could be considered coercive or oppressive to the master licensee.
    1. If any of the provisions of the Franchise Agreement conflict with this law, this law will control.
    1. Any provisions requiring you to sign a general release of claims against us, including upon execution of the Franchise Agreement or a successor Franchise Agreement or transfer, does not release any claim you may have under the Indiana Deceptive Franchise Practices Law.
    1. The Franchise Agreement provides that suit must be brought in California. These provisions may not be enforceable under Indiana law. Indiana franchise laws will govern the Franchise Agreement and any and all other related documents.

Each provision of these Additional Disclosures shall be effective only to the extent, with respect to such provision, that the jurisdictional requirements of the Indiana Deceptive Franchise Practices Law are met independently without reference to these Additional Disclosures. The Additional Disclosures shall have no force or effect if such jurisdictional requirements are not met.

FOR THE STATE OF MARYLAND

Item 5 of the Disclosure Document is supplemented by the following:

  1. Based on our current financial condition, the Maryland Attorney General's Office requires that we post a surety bond to guarantee that we will fulfill our pre-opening obligations to you.

Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 50–135)

What This Means (2024 FDD)

Yes, the Fitstop 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document includes a state-specific addendum. This addendum contains provisions that supersede the standard franchise agreement for franchises offered and sold in specific states. For example, there are specific addenda for California, Maryland, Illinois, Indiana, and Minnesota.

The state addendum modifies certain items of the disclosure document to comply with state-specific franchise laws. For instance, Item 3 and Item 5 of the Disclosure Document are supplemented for California. Similarly, Item 5, Item 11, and Item 17 are supplemented for Maryland. For Illinois and Indiana, Item 17 is supplemented. For Minnesota, Item 13 and Item 17 are supplemented.

These state-specific addenda are crucial for prospective franchisees as they outline additional rights, obligations, and legal considerations that apply based on the state in which the franchise will operate. It is important to carefully review the addendum for your specific state to understand how the standard franchise agreement is modified and what additional protections or requirements are in place due to state law. These addenda can address issues such as dispute resolution, termination rights, and compliance with state franchise laws.

Disclaimer: This information is extracted from the 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document and is provided for research purposes only. It does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult with a franchise attorney before making any investment decisions.