What is the effect of the Washington Addendum on the Zoomin Groomin franchise agreement's provisions regarding termination by franchisee?
Zoomin_Groomin Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
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- Termination by Franchisee.
The franchisee may terminate the franchise agreement under any grounds permitted under state law.
Source: Item 17 — g. of the Disclosure Document is modified to state that, in addition to the grounds for immediate termination specified in Item 17.h., the franchisor can terminate upon written notice and a 60 day opportunity to cure for a breach of the Franchise Agreement. (FDD pages 51–65)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Zoomin Groomin's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the Washington Addendum significantly impacts the franchise agreement, particularly concerning franchisee termination rights. Specifically, the franchisee may terminate the franchise agreement under any grounds permitted under state law. This provision ensures that Washington franchisees are not limited by the standard termination clauses in the franchise agreement and can exercise any termination rights granted to them by Washington state law.
Several other clauses within the Zoomin Groomin franchise agreement are superseded or modified by the Washington Addendum to protect franchisees. For example, any provisions requiring a franchisee to waive compliance with the Washington Franchise Investment Protection Act are void, unless executed under specific conditions such as a negotiated settlement with independent counsel. Similarly, provisions that unreasonably restrict the statute of limitations for claims under the Act or limit rights to a jury trial may not be enforceable.
These stipulations in the Washington Addendum provide additional protections for Zoomin Groomin franchisees operating in Washington, ensuring that the franchise agreement adheres to Washington state law and that franchisees are not unduly restricted in their rights and remedies. Prospective franchisees in Washington should carefully review the addendum to understand how it modifies the standard franchise agreement and what rights are specifically afforded to them under Washington law.