Does the general release provided to Angry Chickz apply to liabilities under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law?

According to Angry Chickz's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the general release required as a condition of renewal, sale, and/or assignment/transfer does not apply to any liability under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law. This means that franchisees in Maryland are not required to waive their rights or release Angry Chickz from liabilities arising from this law when renewing, selling, or transferring their franchise. This protection is explicitly stated to ensure that franchisees retain their legal rights under Maryland franchise law.

This provision is further reinforced by stating that 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 any liability incurred under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law. This ensures that no document or agreement can inadvertently or intentionally strip a franchisee of their rights under Maryland law. The FDD also states that no statement, questionnaire, or acknowledgement signed by a franchisee in connection with starting the franchise can waive claims under any applicable state franchise law, including fraud in the inducement, or disclaim reliance on statements made by Angry Chickz or its representatives.

For a prospective Angry Chickz franchisee in Maryland, this is a significant benefit. It means that they retain their legal rights and protections under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law, regardless of any general releases or other documents they may be asked to sign. This provides an added layer of security and recourse in case of disputes or issues arising from the franchise relationship. This also applies to the Area Development Agreement, where any release required as a condition of assignment or renewal will not apply to liability under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law.