Does the All States M.E.D. Franchisee Disclosure Questionnaire require me to agree that no employee has made any agreement that is different from what is stated in the Franchise Agreement?

According to All States M.E.D.'s 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, the Franchisee Disclosure Questionnaire includes a question asking if you agree that no employee or other person speaking on behalf of All States M.E.D. has made any statement, promise, or agreement that contradicts what is in the Franchise Disclosure Document and Franchise Agreement.

This question is part of a broader set of inquiries designed to confirm that the prospective franchisee is relying solely on the official documents provided by All States M.E.D. and not on any verbal or informal promises made during the sales process. It aims to prevent misunderstandings or disputes later on by ensuring that all parties are aligned with the written terms of the franchise agreement.

However, the FDD also states that in certain states, including Maryland and Washington, representations requiring franchisees to waive any liability are not intended to act as a waiver of any liability incurred under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law or Washington Franchise Investment Protection Act. Furthermore, for franchises governed by the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act, no questionnaire signed by a franchisee can waive claims under applicable state franchise law or disclaim reliance on statements made by All States M.E.D. or its representatives.

Prospective franchisees should carefully consider the implications of these questions and seek legal counsel to understand their rights and obligations, especially concerning state-specific protections against waivers of liability or reliance on franchisor statements.