What is the effect of the Washington Addendum on the Zoomin Groomin franchise agreement's provisions regarding statute of limitations?
Zoomin_Groomin Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
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- Statute of Limitations and Waiver of Jury Trial.
Provisions contained in the franchise agreement or related agreements that unreasonably restrict or limit the statute of limitations period for claims under the Washington Franchise Investment Protection Act, or rights or remedies under the Act such as a right to a jury trial, may not be enforceable.
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 the 2025 Zoomin Groomin Franchise Disclosure Document, the Washington Addendum addresses the statute of limitations within the franchise agreement. Specifically, it states that any provisions in the franchise agreement or related documents that unreasonably restrict or limit the statute of limitations period for claims under the Washington Franchise Investment Protection Act may not be enforceable. This also applies to rights or remedies under the Act, such as the right to a jury trial.
For a prospective Zoomin Groomin franchisee in Washington, this means that the standard statute of limitations outlined in the franchise agreement might not apply if it's deemed too restrictive under Washington law. The Washington Franchise Investment Protection Act aims to protect franchisees, and this provision ensures that franchisees have adequate time to bring claims under the Act.
This addendum serves as a safeguard, preventing Zoomin Groomin from enforcing overly restrictive time limits that could hinder a franchisee's ability to pursue legal action for violations of the Washington Franchise Investment Protection Act. Franchisees should consult with an attorney to understand their rights and the applicable statute of limitations under Washington law, as it could differ from what's stated in the standard Zoomin Groomin franchise agreement.