Franchisee Protection Act

Religious-day protections for Utah franchise owners

Beginning May 7, 2025, Utah protects franchise owners who assert a sincerely held religious belief from certain religious-day operating requirements. Franchisors—the companies granting franchises—cannot impose these requirements on their own or require owners to accept them through contract amendments. They also cannot refuse renewal solely because an owner did not follow such a requirement. Protection does not apply when the original agreement includes the requirement or the owner accepts it through renewal or amendment. It also does not apply when an agreement to develop an additional location includes the requirement. The protection cannot be transferred, and agreements covered by Utah's New Automobile Franchise Act or hotel laws are excluded. When a court finds reasonable cause to believe a violation occurred, it may award actual damages, reasonable attorney fees, and costs. It may also order the franchisor to stop the violation or provide other appropriate relief. Civil penalties are $10,000 for a first violation, $25,000 for a second within three years after the first filing, and $50,000 for later violations within five years after that filing.