In Minnesota, can a franchisee disclaim reliance on statements made by Zoomin Groomin or its representatives when commencing a franchise?
Zoomin_Groomin Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
No statement, questionnaire, or acknowledgment signed or agreed to by a franchisee in connection with the commencement of the franchise relationship shall have the effect of (i) waiving any claims under any applicable state franchise law, including fraud in the inducement, or (ii) disclaiming reliance on any statement made by any franchisor, franchise seller, or other person acting on behalf of the franchisor.
This provision supersedes any other term of any document executed in connection with the franchise.
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, Minnesota law protects franchisees from waiving certain rights. Specifically, any agreement signed by a franchisee at the start of the franchise relationship cannot disclaim reliance on statements made by Zoomin Groomin or its representatives. This protection extends to claims under state franchise law, including fraud in the inducement. This means that a Zoomin Groomin franchisee in Minnesota cannot sign away their right to claim they relied on misleading statements made by the franchisor during the franchise sales process. This provision overrides any conflicting terms in any document related to the franchise agreement.
This addendum ensures that Minnesota franchisees retain their legal recourse if they believe they were misled into investing in a Zoomin Groomin franchise. It prevents Zoomin Groomin from using standard contract language to shield itself from liability for misrepresentations made during the sales process. The FDD emphasizes that this protection supersedes any other term of any document executed in connection with the franchise.
In practical terms, this means that if a prospective Zoomin Groomin franchisee in Minnesota feels they were given false or misleading information that induced them to invest, they can still pursue legal action, even if they signed an agreement that appears to disclaim reliance on those statements. This protection is a significant benefit for franchisees, as it ensures they have the ability to hold Zoomin Groomin accountable for their representations.