Under the Zoomin Groomin Personal Guaranty, what laws are relevant to the use of electronic signatures?
Zoomin_Groomin Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
This Agreement may be executed by the parties in this Agreement in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered will be an original, but all such counterparts will together constitute but one and the same instrument. The Agreement may be signed and delivered electronically via email, facsimile or other means, which will each have the same legal effect as if signed in hardcopy with traditional ink.
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 Franchise Agreement allows for electronic signatures. Specifically, the agreement can be signed and delivered via email, facsimile, or other electronic means. Zoomin Groomin states that these electronic signatures have the same legal effect as a hardcopy signed in ink.
This means that a prospective Zoomin Groomin franchisee and the franchisor can sign the agreement from different locations without needing to physically meet. This can expedite the process of finalizing the franchise agreement. It also provides flexibility for both parties.
However, it is important for a franchisee to ensure that they understand the technology being used to sign electronically and that they retain a copy of the signed agreement. While Zoomin Groomin states that electronic signatures have the same legal effect as traditional signatures, franchisees should be aware of their local jurisdiction's laws regarding electronic signatures to ensure full compliance.