What statute in Wisconsin may supersede the Ledgers Franchise Agreement?
Ledgers Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
The State of Wisconsin has a statute, the Wisconsin Franchise Investment Law, Wis. 553.01, et. seq., and Wis. Adm. Code Chapter DFI-Sec. 31.01, et seq., which may supersede the Franchise Agreement in your relationship with the franchisor including the areas of termination and renewal of your franchise. There may also be court decisions which may supersede the Franchise Agreement in your relationship with the franchisor including the areas of termination and renewal of your franchise. the event of a conflict of laws, the provisions of the Wisconsin Franchise Investment Law, Wis§ 553.01, et. seq., and Wis. Adm. Code Chapter DFI-Sec. 31.01, et seq., shall prevail.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 46)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Ledgers's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the Wisconsin Franchise Investment Law, Wis. 553.01, et. seq., and Wis. Adm. Code Chapter DFI-Sec. 31.01, et seq., may supersede the Ledgers Franchise Agreement. This includes areas related to the termination and renewal of the franchise. In the event of conflicting laws, the provisions of the Wisconsin Franchise Investment Law and Wis. Adm. Code Chapter DFI-Sec. 31.01, et seq. will take precedence.
Specifically, the FDD indicates that certain provisions in the standard Ledgers Franchise Agreement are amended to comply with Wisconsin law. For example, while the standard agreement might require a franchisee to sue in a state other than Wisconsin, the addendum expressly permits a franchisee to file a civil lawsuit in Wisconsin for claims arising under the Wisconsin Franchise Investment Law.
Additionally, the Wisconsin Fair Dealership Law, § 135.04, prohibits Ledgers from terminating, canceling, not renewing, or making substantial changes in competitive circumstances without good cause. The FDD notes that Item 17 of the Franchise Disclosure Document and Section 8 of the Franchise Agreement are amended to reflect this protection for franchisees in Wisconsin. Furthermore, the Wisconsin Fair Dealership Law, § 135.04, requires Ledgers to provide ninety (90) days prior notice of a proposed termination and sixty (60) days to cure any deficiency, which supersedes any conflicting terms in the standard agreement, except in cases of insolvency or bankruptcy.