What specific article of the All County Franchise Agreement is deleted in its entirety for Maryland franchises?
All_County Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
This Addendum pertains to residents of the State of Maryland and franchises to be located in the State of Maryland and is for the purpose of complying with Maryland statutes and regulations. Notwithstanding anything which may be contained in the body of the Franchise Agreement to the contrary, the Agreement is amended as follows:
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- Article 1.1 of the Franchise Agreement is deleted in its entirety.
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- Article 25.14 is amended to provide that you may bring a lawsuit in Maryland for claims arising under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law.
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- Article 25.17 is amended to provide that any claims arising under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law must be brought within 3 years after the grant of the Franchise Agreement.
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- All representations requiring prospective franchisees to assent to a release, estoppel or waiver of liability are not intended to nor shall they act as a release, estoppel or waiver of liability incurred under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law.
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- Any general release required in the Franchise Agreement as a condition of renewal, sale, and/or assignment or transfer shall not apply to any liability under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law.
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- No statement, questionnaire, or acknowledgement signed or agreed to by you 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 us, any franchise seller, or any other person acting on our behalf. This provision supersedes any other term of any document executed in connection with the franchise.
Source: Item 22 — Contracts (FDD page 43)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to All County's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Article 1.1 of the Franchise Agreement is deleted in its entirety for franchises located in the State of Maryland. This deletion is part of an addendum to the franchise agreement that specifically addresses compliance with Maryland statutes and regulations.
Additionally, the addendum modifies other articles of the agreement to align with Maryland law. Article 25.14 is amended to allow franchisees to bring lawsuits in Maryland for claims arising under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law. Article 25.17 is amended to specify that any claims arising under this law must be brought within 3 years of the franchise agreement grant.
Furthermore, the addendum clarifies that any representations requiring franchisees to waive liability do not apply to liability incurred under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law. General releases required for renewal, sale, assignment, or transfer of the franchise also do not apply to liabilities under the same Maryland law. Finally, any statements or acknowledgments signed by the franchisee cannot waive claims under state franchise law or disclaim reliance on statements made by All County or its representatives.