What is the effect of the governing law provision on disputes related to the Zoomin Groomin Assignment agreement?

According to the 2025 Zoomin Groomin Franchise Disclosure Document, the Telephone & Internet Assignment Agreement specifies that Virginia law governs any disputes arising from or related to the agreement or the parties' dealings. This is without regard to Virginia's rules on conflict or choice of laws.

This means that if a dispute arises concerning the Telephone & Internet Assignment Agreement, such as disagreements over the transfer of listings or the enforcement of obligations post-termination, Virginia law will be applied to resolve the issue. This is significant because the laws of Virginia will dictate how the agreement is interpreted and enforced, potentially impacting the rights and responsibilities of both Zoomin Groomin and the franchisee.

Additionally, the FDD states that any claims must be brought solely in the state and federal courts closest to Virginia Beach, Virginia. This dictates the specific location where legal proceedings must occur, which could present logistical and financial challenges for a franchisee located far from Virginia. It is common practice in franchising to specify a governing law and venue to provide clarity and predictability in case of legal disputes.