Under what circumstances is the Rider to the Sonesta Select Sonesta Essential Franchise Agreement signed?
Sonesta_Select_Sonesta_Essential Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- | | TERMINATION BY EITHER PARTY. The following language is added to Section 14.A of | | the Franchise Agreement: | | Under Section 13.1-564 of the Virginia Retail Franchising Act, it is unlawful for a franchisor | | to cancel a franchise without reasonable cause. If any grounds for default or termination | | stated in the Franchise Agreement does not constitute "reasonable cause," as that term | | may be defined in the Virginia Retail Franchising Act or the laws of Virginia, that provision | | may not be enforceable. |
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the effective date of the Franchise Agreement. SONESTA RL HOTELS FRANCHISING INC. By: __________________________________ [Franchisee Name] By:
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed and delivered this Rider to be effective as of
Name: Title:
Name: Title:
RIDER TO THE SONESTA RL HOTELS FRANCHISING INC. FRANCHISE AGREEMENT AND RELATED AGREEMENTS FOR USE IN WASHINGTON
| THIS RIDER is by and between SONESTA RL HOTELS FRANCHISING INC. a Washington |
|---|
| corporation with its principal business address at 400 Centre Street, Newton, Massachusetts 02458 ("we," |
| "us," or "our"), and |
| , whose |
| principal business address is |
| ("you" or "your"). |
| 1. |
| BACKGROUND. We and you are parties to that certain Franchise Agreement dated |
| (the "Franchise Agreement") that has been signed concurrently |
| with the signing of this Rider. This Rider is annexed to and forms part of the Franchise Agreement. This |
| Rider is being signed because (a) Franchisee is domiciled in the State of Washington; and/or (b) the Hotel |
| that Franchisee will operate under the Franchise Agreement will be located in Washington; and/or (c) any |
| of the offering or sales activity relating to the Franchise Agreement occurred in Washington. |
- WASHINGTON LAW. The following paragraphs are added to the end of the Franchise Agreement:
In the event of a conflict of laws, the provisions of the Washington Franchise Investment Protection Act, chapter 19.100 RCW will prevail.
RCW 19.100.180 may supersede provisions in the franchise agreement or related agreements concerning your relationship with the franchisor, including in the areas of termination and renewal of your franchise. There may also be court decisions that supersede the franchise agreement or related agreements concerning your relationship with the franchisor. Franchise agreement provisions, including those summarized in Item 17 of the Franchise Disclosure Document, are subject to state law.
In any arbitration or mediation involving a franchise purchased in Washington, the arbitration or mediation site will be either in the state of Washington, or in a place mutually agreed upon at the time of the arbitration or mediation, or as determined by the arbitrator or mediator at the time of arbitration or mediation. In addition, if litigation is not precluded by the franchise agreement, a franchisee may bring an action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with the sale of franchises, or a violation of the Washington Franchise Investment Protection Act, in Washington.
A release or waiver of rights in the franchise agreement or related agreements purporting to bind the franchisee to waive compliance with any provision under the Washington Franchise Investment Protection Act or any rules or orders thereunder is void except when executed pursuant to a negotiated settlement after the agreement is in effect and where the parties are represented by independent counsel, in accordance with RCW 19.100.220(2). In addition, any such release or waiver executed in connection with a renewal or transfer of a franchise is likewise void except as provided for in RCW 19.100.220(2).
Provisions contained in the franchise agreement or related agreements that unreasonably restrict or limit the statute of limitations period for claims under the Washington Franchise Investment Protection Act, or rights or remedies under the Act such as a right to a jury trial, may not be enforceable.
Transfer fees are collectable only to the extent that they reflect the franchisor's reasonable estimated or actual costs in effecting a transfer.
The franchisee may terminate the franchise agreement under any grounds permitted under state law.
Any provision in the franchise agreement or related agreements that requires the franchisee to purchase or rent any product or service for more than a fair and reasonable price is unlawful under RCW 19.100.180(2)(d).
RCW 19.100.190 permits franchisees to seek treble damages under certain circumstances. Accordingly, provisions contained in the franchise agreement or elsewhere requiring franchisees to waive exemplary, punitive, or similar damages may be void, except when executed pursuant to a negotiated settlement after the agreement is in effect and where the parties are represented by independent counsel, in accordance with RCW 19.100.220(2).
Provisions in the franchise agreement or related agreements stating that the franchisor may exercise its discretion on the basis of its reasonable business judgment may be limited or superseded by RCW 19.100.180(1), which requires the parties to deal with each other in good faith.
Any provision in the franchise agreement or related agreements requiring the franchisee to indemnify, reimburse, defend, or hold harmless the franchisor or other parties is hereby modified such that the franchisee has no obligation to indemnify, reimburse, defend, or hold harmless the franchisor or any other indemnified party for losses or liabilities to the extent that they are caused by the indemnified party's gross negligence, willful misconduct, strict liability, or fraud.
If the franchise agreement or related agreements require a franchisee to reimburse the franchisor for court costs or expenses, including attorneys' fees, such provision applies only if the franchisor is the prevailing party in any judicial or arbitration proceeding.
Pursuant to RCW 49.62.020, a noncompetition covenant is void and unenforceable against an employee, including an employee of a franchisee, unless the employee's earnings from the party seeking enforcement, when annualized, exceed $100,000 per year (an amount that will be adjusted annually for inflation). In addition, a noncompetition covenant is void and unenforceable against an independent contractor of a franchisee under RCW 49.62.030 unless the independent contractor's earnings from the party seeking enforcement, when annualized, exceed $250,000 per year (an amount that will be adjusted annually for inflation). As a result, any provision contained in the franchise agreement or elsewhere that conflicts with these limitations is void and unenforceable in Washington.
RCW 49.62.060 prohibits a franchisor from restricting, restraining, or prohibiting a franchisee from (i) soliciting or hiring any employee of a franchisee of the same franchisor or (ii) soliciting or hiring any employee of the franchisor. As a result, any such provisions contained in the franchise agreement or elsewhere are void and unenforceable in Washington.
No statement, questionnaire, or acknowledgment signed or agreed to by a franchisee in connection with the commencement of the franchise relationship shall have the effect of (i) waiving any claims under any applicable state franchise law, including fraud in the inducement, or (ii) disclaiming reliance on any statement made by any franchisor, franchise seller, or other person acting on behalf of the franchisor. This provision supersedes any other term of any document executed in connection with the franchise.
Any provision in the franchise agreement or related agreements that prohibits the franchisee from communicating with or complaining to regulators is inconsistent with the express instructions in the Franchise Disclosure Document and is unlawful under RCW 19.100.180(2)(h).
Under the Washington Franchise Investment Protection Act, a "franchise broker" is defined as a person that engages in the business of the offer or sale of franchises. A franchise broker represents the franchisor and is paid a fee for referring prospects to the franchisor and/or selling the franchise. If a franchisee is working with a franchise broker, franchisees
are advised to carefully evaluate any information provided by the franchise broker about a franchise.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed and delivered this Rider to be effective as of the effective date of the Franchise Agreement.
SONESTA RL HOTELS FRANCHISING INC. [Franchisee Name]
State Effective Dates
The following states have franchise laws that require that the Franchise Disclosure Document be registered or filed with the state, or be exempt from registration: California, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.
This document is effective and may be used in the following states, where the document is filed, registered or exempt from registration, as of the Effective Date stated below:
| State | Effective Date | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| California | Pending | ||
| Hawaii | |||
| Illinois | Exempt | ||
| Indiana | Pending | ||
| Maryland | Exemption Pending | ||
| Michigan | March 31, 2025 | ||
| Minnesota | Pending | ||
| New York | Exempt | ||
| North Dakota | Pending | ||
| Rhode Island | Pending | ||
| South Dakota | Pending | ||
| Virginia | Pending | ||
| Washington | Pending | ||
| Wisconsin | March 31, 2025 |
Other states may require registration, filing, or exemption of a franchise under other laws, such as those that regulate the offer and sale of business opportunities or seller-assisted marketing plans.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 84–261)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the Rider to the Sonesta Select Sonesta Essential Franchise Agreement is signed concurrently with the Franchise Agreement. This Rider is attached to and becomes a component of the Franchise Agreement.
The Rider is required under specific circumstances related to the franchisee's location, the hotel's location, or where the franchise was offered or sold. Specifically, a Rider is signed if the franchisee is domiciled in certain states, such as Washington, Illinois, or Rhode Island. It is also signed if the hotel operated under the Franchise Agreement is located in states like Washington, Minnesota, Illinois, or Virginia. Additionally, a Rider is necessary if any of the activities related to offering or selling the franchise occurred in states like Washington, Minnesota, Illinois, or Rhode Island.
These Riders often include state-specific legal provisions or modifications to the standard Franchise Agreement to comply with local franchise laws. For example, the Rider for Minnesota addresses trademark disputes and refers to Minnesota Statute Sec. 80C.12 Subd. 1(g). The Rhode Island Rider includes stipulations about governing law and jurisdiction, referencing SECTION 19-28.1-14 of the Rhode Island Franchise Investment Act. Similarly, the Illinois Rider mentions the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act. The Rider for use in Maryland indicates that your rights upon termination and non-renewal of a franchise agreement are subject to sections 19 and 20 of the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act.
Prospective franchisees should pay close attention to any Riders attached to their Franchise Agreement, as these contain important legal and operational details specific to their situation and location. It is also important to note that if you are located in, your hotel will be located in, or the franchise granted is subject to the franchise registration or disclosure laws in California, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington, or Wisconsin, you should not sign the Representations and Acknowledgment Statement.