Under what condition is each provision of the addendum to the Punch King Fitness Franchise Agreement effective?
Punch_King_Fitness Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
the Franchise Agreement (collectively referred to as the "Franchise Related Agreements") are amended as follows to comply with the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act of 1987, as amended, and the Illinois Disclosure Rules and Regulations:
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- Your rights upon Termination and Non-Renewal are set forth in sections 19 and 20 of the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act.
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- Any provision in the Franchise Agreement and Franchise Related Agreements that requires the application of the laws of another state or designates jurisdiction or venue in a forum outside the State of Illinois is void with respect to a claim otherwise enforceable under the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act.
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- Illinois law governs the Franchise Agreement(s).
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- In conformance with Section 41 of the Illinois Franchise Disclosure act, any condition, stipulation, or provision purporting to bind any person acquiring any franchise to waive compliance with the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act or any other law of Illinois is void.
The parties are signing this addendum concurrently with the Franchise Agreement and Franchise Related Agreements to which it is attached.
FRANCHISOR: PUNCH KING FITNESS, INC. Its: Its:
INDIANA ADDENDUM TO FRANCHISE DISCLOSURE DOCUMENT
The following additional disclosures are required by the Indiana Franchise Disclosure Law and the Indiana Deceptive Franchise Practices Law:
THE STATE OF INDIANA HAS STATUTES, WHICH MAY SUPERSEDE THE FRANCHISE AGREEMENT IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE FRANCHISOR, INCLUDING THE AREAS OF TERMINATION AND RENEWAL OF YOUR FRANCHISE [INDIANA CODE §§23-2-2.5-1 THROUGH 23-2-2.5-50]. THIS STATE ALSO HAS 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 STATE OF INDIANA HAS A STATUTE WHICH RESTRICTS OR PROHIBITS THE IMPOSITION OF LIQUIDATED DAMAGE PROVISIONS [INDIANA CODE §23-2-2.7(10)]. A PROVISION IN THE FRANCHISE AGREEMENT, WHICH TERMINATES THE FRANCHISE UPON THE BANKRUPTCY OF THE FRANCHISEE, MAY NOT BE ENFORCEABLE UNDER TITLE 11, UNITED STATES CODE §101.
The franchise agreement does not expressly give you the right to terminate, but Indiana law may give you the right to terminate if we commit a substantial breach of the franchise agreement.
Any provision in the franchise agreement that requires the application of the laws of another state or designates jurisdiction or venue in a forum outside the State of Indiana is void with respect to a claim otherwise enforceable under the Indiana Franchise Disclosure Law or the Indiana Deceptive Franchise Practices Law.
In the event of a conflict of laws, the provisions of the Indiana Franchise Disclosure Law and the Indiana Deceptive Franchise Practices Law will prevail.
To the extent, this addendum is inconsistent with any terms or conditions of the franchise offering circular, the Franchise Agreement, or any of their exhibits or attachments, the terms of this Addendum control.
INDIANA ADDENDUM TO FRANCHISE AGREEMENT
The Franchise Agreement to which this addendum is attached is amended as follows to comply with the Indiana Franchise Disclosure Law and the Indiana Deceptive Franchise Practices Law.
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- Any provision in the Franchise Agreement that requires the application of the laws of another state or designates jurisdiction or venue in a forum outside the State of Indiana is void with respect to a claim otherwise enforceable under the Indiana Franchise Disclosure Law or the Indiana Deceptive Franchise Practices Law.
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- In the event of a conflict of laws, the provisions of the Indiana Franchise Disclosure Law and the Indiana Deceptive Franchise Practices Law shall prevail.
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- Each provision of this Addendum is effective only to the extent that the jurisdictional requirements of the Indiana Franchise Disclosure Law and the Indiana Deceptive Franchise Practices Law are met independently of this addendum. To the extent, this addendum is inconsistent with any term or condition of the Franchise Agreement or its exhibits or attachments, the terms of this Addendum control. Franchisor and Franchisee hereby ratify and affirm the Franchise Agreement in all other respects.
The parties are signing this addendum concurrently with the Franchise Agreement to which it is attached.
FRANCHISOR: PUNCH KING FITNESS, INC. Its: Its:
MARYLAND ADDENDUM TO FRANCHISE DISCLOSURE DOCUMENT
The following additional disclosures are required by the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law:
ITEM 17
The franchise agreement provision, which provides for termination upon bankruptcy of the franchisee, may not be enforceable under federal bankruptcy law (11 U.S.C. Section 101 et seq.).
You may sue us in Maryland for claims arising under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law.
This franchise agreement provides that disputes are resolved through arbitration. A Maryland franchise regulation states that it is an unfair or deceptive practice to require a franchisee to waive its right to file a lawsuit in Maryland claiming a violation of the Maryland Franchise Law. In light of the Federal Arbitration Act, there is some dispute as to whether this forum selection requirement is legally enforceable.
Any claims arising under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law must be brought within 3 years after the grant of the franchise.
MARYLAND ADDENDUM TO FRANCHISE AGREEMENT AND AREA DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT
The Franchise Agreement and Area Development Agreement to which this addendum is attached are amended as follows to comply with the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law:
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- A franchisee may bring a lawsuit in Maryland for claims arising under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law.
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- This franchise agreement provides that disputes are resolved through arbitration. A Maryland franchise regulation states that it is an unfair or deceptive practice to require a franchisee to waive its right to file a lawsuit in Maryland claiming a violation of the Maryland Franchise Law. In light of the Federal Arbitration Act, there is some dispute as to whether this forum selection requirement is legally enforceable.
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- Any claims arising under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law must be brought within 3 years after the grant of the franchise.
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Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 56–215)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to the 2024 Punch King Fitness Franchise Disclosure Document, the effectiveness of addendum provisions to the Franchise Agreement is primarily governed by state-specific franchise laws. For instance, in Indiana and Wisconsin, the addenda explicitly state that their terms will supersede any conflicting terms or conditions found in the franchise offering circular, the Franchise Agreement, or any related exhibits or attachments. This ensures that the franchise agreement adheres to local regulations, particularly concerning termination, renewal, and restrictions on liquidated damages.
In Rhode Island, any provision requiring a franchisee to waive compliance with the Rhode Island Franchise Investment Act is considered void. Similarly, any provision that restricts jurisdiction or venue to a forum outside of Rhode Island or requires the application of another state's laws is also void concerning claims enforceable under the Act. This protects franchisees from being subjected to unfair legal burdens or jurisdictions.
For Virginia, the addendum clarifies that it is unlawful for Punch King Fitness to cancel a franchise without reasonable cause, as defined under the Virginia Retail Franchising Act. This means that any grounds for default or termination stated in the development agreement that do not meet the standard of "reasonable cause" may not be enforceable. These addenda collectively ensure that the Franchise Agreement complies with local laws, providing franchisees with specific protections and rights within their respective states.