In which states does the 'No Waiver or Disclaimer of Reliance' provision apply to Stretch Zone franchisees?
Stretch_Zone Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
The following acknowledgements apply to all franchisees and Franchised Units, except those that are subject to the state franchise disclosure laws in California, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington, or Wisconsin:
- (a) You have conducted an independent investigation of the business venture contemplated by this Agreement and recognize that it involves business risks and that your results will be largely dependent upon your own efforts and ability. You have reviewed this Agreement and the FDD. You have been accorded ample time to consult with, and ask questions of, our representatives and to consult with your own legal counsel and other advisors about the potential risks and benefits of entering into this Agreement, and we have advised you to do so.
- (b) You have no knowledge of any representations made about the Stretch Zone franchise opportunity by us, our Affiliates, or any of our or their officers, directors, owners, or agents that are contrary to the statements made in the FDD or to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. You are not relying on any representations or warranties, express or implied, provided by us or our representatives other than those expressly set forth in this Agreement and the FDD.
- (c) Except as may be stated in the FDD, neither we, nor any of our Affiliates, nor any of our or our Affiliates' officers, agents, employees, or representatives have made any representation to you, express or implied, as to the historical revenues, earnings, or profitability of any Stretch Zone business or the anticipated revenues, earnings, or profitability of your Franchise Business or any other business operated by us, our licensees, our franchisees, or our Affiliates. Any information you have acquired from other Stretch Zone franchisees regarding their sales, profits or cash flows is not information obtained from us, and we make no representation about that information's accuracy.
Source: Item 8 — Receipts. Any sale made must be in compliance with § 683(8) of the Franchise Sale Act (N.Y. Gen. Bus. L. § 680 et seq.), which describes the time period a Franchise Disclosure Document (offering prospectus) must be provided to a prospective franchisee before a sale may be made. New York law requires a franchisor to provide the Franchise Disclosure Document at the earliest of the first personal meeting or ten (10) business days before the execution of the franchise or other agreement or the payment of any consideration that relates to the franchise relationship. (FDD pages 99–263)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Stretch Zone's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the 'No Waiver or Disclaimer of Reliance' provision applies to all franchisees and Franchised Units except those subject to state franchise disclosure laws in specific states. This provision means that franchisees in states not listed are acknowledging they conducted their own investigation, are not relying on representations outside the FDD, and are responsible for their business risks.
The states where this provision does NOT apply, due to their franchise disclosure laws, are California, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. In these states, franchisees may have additional protections and rights regarding reliance on representations made by Stretch Zone.
For prospective Stretch Zone franchisees, this distinction is crucial. If you are planning to open a franchise in one of the listed states (California, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington, or Wisconsin), certain acknowledgements related to independent investigation and reliance on the FDD may not apply to you. Franchisees should seek legal counsel to fully understand their rights and obligations based on the state in which they plan to operate a Stretch Zone franchise.