In Washington, can provisions in the Jersey Mikes franchise agreement unreasonably restrict the statute of limitations for claims under the Washington Franchise Investment Protection Act?

According to Jersey Mikes's 2025 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 in Washington. This also applies to rights or remedies under the Act, such as the right to a jury trial. This modification is specific to Washington State law.

For a prospective Jersey Mikes franchisee in Washington, this means that the standard franchise agreement terms regarding the time limit to bring legal claims related to franchise investment protection may be superseded by Washington law. If the agreement attempts to shorten the statute of limitations unreasonably, that specific provision might be deemed unenforceable.

This protection ensures that franchisees have adequate time to discover and pursue legal claims under the Washington Franchise Investment Protection Act. It prevents Jersey Mikes from imposing unfairly short timeframes that could hinder a franchisee's ability to seek legal recourse. Franchisees should consult with an attorney to understand their rights and the applicable statute of limitations under Washington law.