Does Minnesota law allow Zoomin Groomin to require a franchisee to waive a jury trial?
Zoomin_Groomin Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Minnesota Statutes, Section 80C.21 and Minnesota Rules 2860.4400(J) prohibit the franchisor from requiring litigation to be conducted outside Minnesota, requiring waiver of a jury trial, or requiring the franchisee to consent to liquidated damages, termination penalties or judgment notes.
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 does not allow Zoomin Groomin to require a franchisee to waive their right to a jury trial. The FDD states that Minnesota Statutes, Section 80C.21 and Minnesota Rules 2860.4400(J) explicitly prohibit Zoomin Groomin from requiring a franchisee to waive a jury trial. This protection is part of the Minnesota Franchise Act, which aims to safeguard franchisee rights within the state.
This provision ensures that Zoomin Groomin franchisees in Minnesota retain their constitutional right to a jury trial in the event of a dispute with the franchisor. It prevents Zoomin Groomin from forcing franchisees into alternative dispute resolution methods, such as arbitration, where they might not have the same legal protections or level of due process as in a court of law. This is a significant benefit for franchisees as it allows them to have their case heard by a jury of their peers, which can be particularly important in complex or high-stakes legal battles.
Prospective Zoomin Groomin franchisees in Minnesota should be aware of this protection and understand that they cannot be compelled to waive their right to a jury trial, regardless of what the franchise agreement might initially suggest. This addendum to the franchise agreement, specific to Minnesota, takes precedence over any conflicting terms in the standard agreement, reinforcing the franchisee's rights under Minnesota law. This ensures that franchisees have access to a fair and impartial legal process should any disputes arise with Zoomin Groomin.