For a Ledgers franchise in Washington, what conditions must be met for a franchisee to bring an action or proceeding in Washington?

According to Ledgers's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee in Washington may bring an action or proceeding if litigation is not precluded by the franchise agreement. This action must arise out of or be in connection with the sale of franchises, or a violation of the Washington Franchise Investment Protection Act, and the action must be brought in Washington. This condition is specific to franchisees operating in Washington state due to the state's franchise laws.

This means that Ledgers franchisees in Washington have certain legal rights and protections under the Washington Franchise Investment Protection Act. If a franchisee believes that Ledgers has violated this Act or that there has been an issue with the sale of the franchise, they have the right to bring legal action in Washington, provided the franchise agreement does not disallow litigation. This is a notable protection for franchisees, ensuring they have a local legal avenue to address grievances related to their franchise agreement.

This clause is included in the Washington Addendum to the Franchise Disclosure Document, Franchise Agreement, and Related Agreements, which emphasizes the importance of adhering to Washington state laws. The addendum explicitly states that its provisions are integral and modify the franchise agreement for franchisees in Washington. This ensures that the franchisee's rights under Washington law are upheld, regardless of any conflicting terms in the standard franchise agreement.