Does the All Team General Release cover expert fees for All Team?
All_Team Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Releasor, on behalf of itself and each of the persons and entities described in Section 2 hereof, hereby absolutely and forever releases, remises and discharges Franchisor and each of the persons and entities described in Section 3 hereof, from any and all claims, demands, damages, liabilities, costs (including, but not limited to reasonable attorneys' fees, accounting fees or experts' fees, and the costs of litigation, arbitration or other proceedings), expenses, liens, losses, charges, audits, investigations, injunctions, orders, rulings, subpoenas, controversies, obligations, debts, loans, interest, dues, accounts, awards, reckonings, bonds, bills, covenants, promises, undertakings, variances, trespasses, judgments, executions, sums of money owed, arbitrations, suits, decisions, proceedings, verdicts entered, issued, made or rendered and causes of action of every kind and nature whatsoever, whether now known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, which Releasor now has, owns or holds, or at any time heretofore ever had, owned or held, or could, shall or may hereafter have, own or hold, pertaining to, arising out of or in connection with the Franchise Agreement, any related agreements or the franchisor-franchisee relationship between Releasor and Franchisor.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if this General Release is entered into in conjunction with the renewal, assignment or transfer of the Franchise Agreement, the foregoing release shall not apply to any liability under any state franchise law which governs this Release.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 33–34)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to All Team's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the General Release covers expert fees. Specifically, the General Release discharges All Team from all claims, demands, damages, liabilities, and costs. These costs include reasonable attorneys', accounting, or experts' fees, as well as the costs of litigation, arbitration, or other proceedings. This broad release extends to any claims arising from the franchise agreement or the franchisor-franchisee relationship.
This means that a franchisee signing the General Release waives their right to sue All Team for any reason related to the franchise agreement, including claims for expert fees. This waiver applies to both known and unknown claims that the franchisee may have against All Team. The release is binding on the franchisee and their officers, directors, owners, employees, and other related parties.
However, there is an exception: if the General Release is connected to the renewal, assignment, or transfer of the Franchise Agreement, the release does not cover any liability under state franchise law governing the release. Franchisees should consult with legal counsel to fully understand the implications of signing the General Release and the scope of the waiver.