Is the Illinois Addendum applicable if the offer of the Focus Cfo franchise is made in Illinois?
Focus_Cfo Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
des any provisions of the Franchise Agreement or a related contract which is inconsistent with the Law.
THE WISCONSIN NOTICE APPLIES ONLY TO FRANCHISEES WHO ARE RESIDENTS OF WISCONSIN OR LOCATE THEIR FRANCHISES IN WISCONSIN.
THE FOLLOWING PAGES ARE STATE-SPECIFIC ADDENDUMS TO THE FRANCHISE AGREEMENT
ILLINOIS ADDENDUM TO FOCUS CFO GROUP, LLC FRANCHISE AGREEMENT
| CFO," | This Addendum is made and entered by and between Focus CFO Group, LLC, ("Focus "Franchisor," ("Franchisee," "you" or "your"). | "Company", | "us", | "we" | or | "our"), | and |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Focus CFO and Franchisee are parties to that certain Franchise Agreement dated | ||||||
| , 20 | (the "Franchise Agreement") that has been signed concurrently | ||||||
| with the signing of this Addendum. This Addendum is attached to and forms a part of the Franchise | |||||||
| Agreement. This Addendum has been signed because (a) Franchisee is domiciled in Illinois; (b) | |||||||
| the offer of the franchise is made or accepted in Illinois; (c) the franchise business is or will be | |||||||
| located in Illinois; or (d) the franchised business is or will be located in Illinois. | |||||||
| 2. | Illinois law governs the Franchise Agreement. | ||||||
| 3. | In conformance with Section 4 of the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act, any | ||||||
| provision in a franchise agreement that designates jurisdiction and venue in a forum outside of the | |||||||
| State of Illinois is void. However, a franchise agreement may provide for arbitration to take place | |||||||
| outside of Illinois. | |||||||
| 4. | Your rights upon Termination and Non-Renewal are set forth in sections 19 and 20 | ||||||
| of the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act. | |||||||
| 5. | 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. | |||||||
| IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned hereby acknowledge having read this | |||||||
| Addendum and understands and consents to be bound by all of its terms. |
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 37–126)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Focus Cfo Franchise Disclosure Document, the Illinois Addendum is applicable if the offer of the franchise is made or accepted in Illinois. The addendum is signed because the franchisee is domiciled in Illinois, the offer of the franchise is made or accepted in Illinois, the franchise business is or will be located in Illinois, or the franchised business is or will be located in Illinois.
Several provisions within the Illinois Addendum modify the standard Franchise Agreement to comply with Illinois law. Specifically, any provision designating jurisdiction and venue outside of Illinois is void, although arbitration may occur outside the state. Additionally, any attempt to waive compliance with the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act or other Illinois laws is void.
These stipulations protect Focus Cfo franchisees in Illinois by ensuring that they are subject to Illinois law and have access to legal recourse within the state. The addendum ensures that franchisees cannot be forced to waive their rights under Illinois law, providing an additional layer of protection.