What state law governs the Zoomin Groomin Franchise Agreement?
Zoomin_Groomin Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
ILLINOIS ADDENDUM TO THE FRANCHISE AGREEMENT
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- Illinois law governs the Franchise Agreement.
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- In conformance with Section 4 of the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act, any provision in a franchise agreement that designates jurisdiction and venue in a forum outside of the State of Illinois is void. However, a franchise agreement may provide for arbitration to take place outside of Illinois.
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- Franchisee rights upon termination and non-renewal are set forth in sections 19 and 20 of the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act.
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- In conformance with Section 41 of the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act, any condition, stipulation, or provision purporting to bind any person acquiring any franchise to waive compliance with the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act or any other law of Illinois is void.
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- The Franchise Agreement is modified to also provide that we defer collection of all initial fees until we have satisfied our pre-opening obligations to you and you have commenced doing business under the Franchise Agreement. The Illinois Attorney General's Office imposed this deferral requirement due to our financial condition.
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- 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 pr
Source: Item 9 — 01. Financial Statements and Exhibits. (FDD pages 68–156)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Zoomin Groomin Franchise Disclosure Document, the Illinois Addendum to the Franchise Agreement states that Illinois law governs the Franchise Agreement. This means that if a Zoomin Groomin franchisee is operating in Illinois, the interpretation and enforcement of the franchise agreement will be subject to Illinois state law.
Furthermore, the addendum specifies that any provision in the franchise agreement that designates jurisdiction and venue in a forum outside of Illinois is void, although the agreement may still allow for arbitration to occur outside of Illinois. This protects Illinois franchisees from having to resolve disputes in a potentially distant or inconvenient location.
The Illinois Addendum also addresses franchisee rights upon termination and non-renewal, referencing sections 19 and 20 of the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act. It also states that franchisees cannot waive compliance with the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act or any other Illinois law. This ensures that franchisees retain the protections afforded to them under Illinois law, regardless of any provisions in the franchise agreement.
Finally, the addendum notes that Zoomin Groomin will defer collection of initial fees until pre-opening obligations are met and the franchisee has commenced business, a requirement imposed by the Illinois Attorney General's Office due to Zoomin Groomin's financial condition. This provides additional security for franchisees in Illinois, ensuring they do not pay fees before the franchisor fulfills its initial obligations.