For a Petro Stopping Center franchise in Washington, what is the condition for transfer fees to be collectable?

According to the 2025 Petro Stopping Center Franchise Disclosure Document, transfer fees are collectable in Washington state only to the extent that they reflect Petro Stopping Center's reasonable estimated or actual costs in completing the transfer. This means that Petro Stopping Center cannot charge an arbitrary or inflated transfer fee; the fee must be tied to the actual expenses incurred by the company during the transfer process.

This provision protects franchisees in Washington from excessive or unfair transfer fees. It ensures that the fees charged are justifiable and directly related to the costs Petro Stopping Center incurs. This is particularly important because transfer fees can be a significant expense for franchisees looking to sell their business.

Prospective franchisees should carefully document and scrutinize any transfer fee charged by Petro Stopping Center to ensure it aligns with the company's reasonable costs. If a franchisee believes the transfer fee is excessive, they may have grounds to challenge it under Washington state law. This addendum highlights the importance of understanding state-specific franchise laws, as they can significantly impact the franchise agreement.