In Minnesota, can Zoomin Groomin unreasonably withhold consent to the transfer of a franchise?
Zoomin_Groomin Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- With respect to franchises governed by Minnesota law, the franchisor will comply with Minn.
Stat.
Sec. 80C.14 Subds. 3, 4, and 5 which require (except in certain specified cases), that a franchisee be given 90 days' notice of termination (with 60 days to cure) and 180 days' notice for non-renewal of the franchise agreement and that consent to the transfer of the franchise will not be unreasonably withheld.
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, Minnesota law includes specific protections for franchisees. For franchises governed by Minnesota law, Zoomin Groomin must comply with Minn. Stat. Sec. 80C.14 Subds. 3, 4, and 5. These statutes stipulate that, except in certain specified cases, a franchisee must be given 90 days' notice of termination (with 60 days to cure) and 180 days' notice for non-renewal of the franchise agreement.
Specifically regarding franchise transfers, the Minnesota statutes state that consent to the transfer of a Zoomin Groomin franchise will not be unreasonably withheld. This provision protects franchisees from arbitrary denials of transfer requests, ensuring that Zoomin Groomin must have a legitimate, justifiable reason to deny a transfer.
This protection is significant for prospective Zoomin Groomin franchisees in Minnesota, as it provides a legal basis to challenge a denial of a transfer request if the franchisor's reasons are deemed unreasonable under Minnesota law. Franchisees should consult with an attorney to understand their rights and the specific circumstances under which a transfer can be challenged.