Can Zoomin Groomin require a franchisee to consent to judgment notes under Minnesota law?
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 protects franchisees from certain contractual obligations. Specifically, Minnesota Statutes, Section 80C.21 and Minnesota Rules 2860.4400(J) explicitly prohibit Zoomin Groomin from requiring franchisees to consent to judgment notes. This means that Zoomin Groomin cannot include any clause in its franchise agreement that forces a franchisee to agree in advance to a judgment against them in case of a dispute.
This protection extends to other areas as well. The same statutes also prevent Zoomin Groomin from requiring franchisees to conduct litigation outside of Minnesota or to waive their right to a jury trial. Furthermore, franchisees cannot be compelled to accept liquidated damages or termination penalties. These regulations collectively aim to ensure a fairer balance of power between the franchisor and franchisee under Minnesota law.
For a prospective Zoomin Groomin franchisee in Minnesota, this addendum provides significant safeguards. It prevents the franchisor from imposing potentially onerous or unfair legal conditions within the franchise agreement. Franchisees should carefully review the Minnesota addendum within the FDD to fully understand their rights and protections under state law.