Where in the Ledgers Franchise Agreement is the information regarding suing in a state other than Wisconsin located?
Ledgers Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- The Franchise Disclosure Document and Franchise Agreement require a Franchisee to sue in a State other than Wisconsin, and are hereby amended to expressly permit a Franchisee to file a civil lawsuit in Wisconsin for claims arising under the Wisconsin Franchise Investment Law.
FDD: Item 17
FA: Section 9
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 46)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Ledgers Franchise Disclosure Document, specific stipulations exist regarding where a franchisee can sue, particularly concerning Wisconsin and Indiana. For Wisconsin franchisees, the Franchise Disclosure Document and Franchise Agreement are amended to explicitly allow a franchisee to file a civil lawsuit in Wisconsin for claims arising under the Wisconsin Franchise Investment Law, despite any requirements in the standard agreement to sue in another state. This amendment is referenced as affecting Item 17 of the FDD and Section 9 of the Franchise Agreement.
For franchisees in Indiana, the Indiana Code supersedes choice of law clauses in the Franchise Agreement. Specifically, Indiana Code section 23-2-2.7-1(10) prohibits the choice of an exclusive forum outside of Indiana. Furthermore, any agreement executed and operative within Indiana is governed by applicable Indiana franchise laws, ensuring that a franchisee's right to institute a civil action or initiate arbitral proceedings within Indiana is not abridged by any provision in the agreement.
These state-specific addenda highlight the importance of franchisees understanding the specific legal protections afforded to them by their state's franchise laws. These laws can modify or even supersede terms in the standard Franchise Agreement, particularly concerning dispute resolution and choice of forum. Prospective Ledgers franchisees should carefully review the state addenda applicable to their state and consult with an attorney to fully understand their rights and obligations.