What is the effect of the Washington Addendum on the Zoomin Groomin franchise agreement's provisions regarding conflict of laws?
Zoomin_Groomin Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
ELATED AGREEMENT**
The provisions of this Addendum form an integral part of, are incorporated into, and modify the Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchise agreement, and all related agreements regardless of anything to the contrary contained therein. This Addendum applies if: (a) the offer to sell a franchise is accepted in Washington; (b) the purchaser of the franchise is a resident of Washington; and/or (c) the franchised business that is the subject of the sale is to be located or operated, wholly or partly, in Washington.
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- Conflict of Laws. In the event of a conflict of laws, the provisions of the Washington Franchise Investment Protection Act, chapter 19.100 RCW will prevail.
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- Franchisee Bill of Rights.
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 modifies the franchise agreement regarding conflict of laws. Specifically, in the event of a conflict of laws, the provisions of the Washington Franchise Investment Protection Act, chapter 19.100 RCW, will take precedence over any conflicting provisions in the franchise agreement. This ensures that Zoomin Groomin franchisees in Washington are protected by Washington state law in case of a legal dispute.
This addendum applies if the offer to sell a Zoomin Groomin franchise is accepted in Washington, if the purchaser of the franchise is a resident of Washington, or if the franchised business is to be located or operated, wholly or partly, in Washington. This means that if any of these conditions are met, the Washington Addendum will be integrated into the franchise agreement, superseding any contradictory terms.
For a prospective Zoomin Groomin franchisee in Washington, this is a beneficial provision. It means that the franchisee's rights and obligations will be interpreted under Washington law, which is designed to protect franchisees. This can be particularly important in areas such as termination, renewal, and dispute resolution, where state laws often provide specific protections for franchisees. The franchisee should carefully review the Washington Franchise Investment Protection Act to understand their rights and obligations under Washington law.