What is the effect of the E-Sign Act on the Zoomin Groomin Personal Guaranty?
Zoomin_Groomin Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
This Agreement may be executed by the parties in this Agreement in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered will be an original, but all such counterparts will together constitute but one and the same instrument. The Agreement may be signed and delivered electronically via email, facsimile or other means, which will each have the same legal effect as if signed in hardcopy with traditional ink.
Source: Item 9 — 01. Financial Statements and Exhibits. (FDD pages 68–156)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Zoomin Groomin Franchise Disclosure Document, the agreement may be signed and delivered electronically via email, facsimile, or other means. These electronic signatures have the same legal effect as a hardcopy signed with traditional ink. This indicates that the E-Sign Act, which gives electronic signatures and records the same legal validity as traditional paper documents, is recognized by Zoomin Groomin.
For a prospective Zoomin Groomin franchisee, this means that documents, including the Franchise Agreement and potentially the Personal Guaranty, can be signed and delivered electronically. This can expedite the signing process and reduce the need for physical paperwork. It's important for the franchisee to ensure they have the capability to receive, review, and sign documents electronically.
While the excerpt confirms the acceptance of electronic signatures, it does not explicitly detail how the Personal Guaranty is affected beyond the allowance of electronic signatures. A franchisee should confirm with Zoomin Groomin whether a separate, specific electronic consent is required for the Personal Guaranty, and understand the process for ensuring the validity and enforceability of their electronic signature on such a document.