What is the minimum advance notice Zoomin Groomin must provide to a franchisee before terminating the franchise for noncompliance?
Zoomin_Groomin Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Except as otherwise provided by this chapter, no franchisor may terminate a franchise prior to the expiration of its term, except for good cause. Except as provided in Section 20021, good cause shall be limited to the failure of the franchisee to substantially comply with the lawful requirements imposed upon the franchisee by the franchise agreement after being given notice at least 60 days in advance of the termination and a reasonable opportunity, which in no event shall be less than 60 days from the date of the notice of noncompliance, to cure the failure. The period to exercise the right to cure shall not exceed 75 days unless there is a separate agreement between the franchisor and franchisee to extend the time.
CA Bus & Prof Code Section 20021
If during the period in which the franchise is in effect, there occurs any of the following events which is relevant to the franchise, immediate notice of termination without an opportunity to cure, shall be deemed reasonable:
(a) The franchisee or the business to which the franchise relates has been the subject of an order for relief in bankruptcy, judicially determined to be insolvent, all or a substantial part of the assets thereof are assigned to or for the benefit of any creditor, or the franchisee admits his or her inability to pay his or her debts as they come due;
(b) The franchisee abandons the franchise by failing to operate the business for five consecutive days during which the franchisee is required to operate the business under the terms of the franchise, or any shorter period after
Source: Item 9 — 01. Financial Statements and Exhibits. (FDD pages 68–156)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Zoomin Groomin's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, specifically referencing California law, Zoomin Groomin must provide a franchisee with at least 60 days advance notice before terminating the franchise agreement for the franchisee's failure to substantially comply with the lawful requirements imposed by the franchise agreement. Additionally, the franchisee must be given a reasonable opportunity to cure the failure, which cannot be less than 60 days from the date of the notice of noncompliance. The period to cure cannot exceed 75 days unless there is a separate agreement to extend the time.
However, immediate termination without an opportunity to cure is deemed reasonable under specific circumstances relevant to the franchise. These circumstances include if the franchisee or the business is subject to an order for relief in bankruptcy, is judicially determined to be insolvent, assigns a substantial part of its assets for the benefit of creditors, or admits inability to pay debts as they become due. Immediate termination is also allowed if the franchisee abandons the franchise by failing to operate the business for five consecutive days when operation is required under the franchise terms, or any shorter period after abandonment.
This means that a Zoomin Groomin franchisee in California typically has at least 60 days to correct any issues of noncompliance before the franchise can be terminated. However, franchisees should be aware that certain severe circumstances, such as bankruptcy or abandonment of the business, can lead to immediate termination without any opportunity to cure the issue. Franchisees should familiarize themselves with all requirements of the franchise agreement to avoid potential issues of noncompliance and understand the conditions under which their franchise could be terminated.