In the Afuri Ramen Dumpling agreement, what does 'including' mean unless expressly stated otherwise?

According to the 2024 Afuri Ramen Dumpling Franchise Disclosure Document, the term 'including' within the franchise agreement means 'including but not limited to' unless the agreement explicitly states otherwise. This definition applies throughout the agreement, clarifying that any list or example provided after the word 'including' is not exhaustive.

This means that when reviewing the Afuri Ramen Dumpling franchise agreement, franchisees should understand that any clause using the word 'including' is open-ended. For example, if a section describes the franchisee's responsibilities and states 'including maintaining cleanliness,' the franchisee's responsibilities extend beyond just cleanliness and encompass other related duties, even if they are not specifically listed.

This broad definition protects Afuri Ramen Dumpling by ensuring flexibility in interpreting the agreement and preventing franchisees from arguing that their obligations are limited to only the items specifically listed. Franchisees should seek legal counsel to fully understand the implications of this definition and how it may affect their rights and responsibilities under the franchise agreement.