What is the effect of the general release on claims unrelated to the All County franchise?

According to All County's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, any general release required in the Franchise Agreement as a condition of renewal, sale, and/or assignment or transfer does not apply to any liability under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law. This means that while franchisees may be required to sign a general release to relinquish claims against All County under certain circumstances like renewal, sale, assignment, or transfer, this release does not extend to liabilities arising from violations of the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law.

In practical terms, this provision protects the franchisee's right to pursue legal action against All County for any violations of Maryland franchise law, regardless of any general release they may have signed. This ensures that franchisees do not unknowingly waive their rights under Maryland law when entering into or exiting the franchise agreement.

This type of clause is included to comply with state franchise laws, like Maryland's, that prohibit waivers of certain statutory rights. Prospective All County franchisees should be aware of this protection, particularly if they are located in or considering operating in Maryland, as it provides an avenue for legal recourse specifically related to franchise law violations, irrespective of any general releases signed.