As a franchisee, who are the parties that I am releasing from claims when I sign the Annex Brands General Release?
Annex_Brands Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
"Franchisor-Related Persons/Entities." Annex Brands, Inc. and its past, current and future: predecessors, successors, partners, shareholders, officers, directors, agents, attorneys, accountants, and/or employees and/or any affiliated companies and/or persons, and each of their respective partners, shareholders, officers, directors, agents, attorneys, accountants, and/or employees, as well as any company(ies)/person(s) acting by, through, under or in concert or affiliated or associated in any way with any of the foregoing, including but not limited to Navis Logistics Management, Inc. and each of its shareholders, officers, directors, agents, attorneys, accountants, and/or employees, as well as any of the Affiliates, predecessors, successors and/or assigns of any of the foregoing.
Date of Releases, Joint and Several Liability. The releases granted hereunder will be deemed effective as of the Effective Date hereof. The liabilities and obligations of you, the Releasors (and any other person/entity providing releases to the Franchisor-Related Persons/Entities) will be joint and several.
This Release does not apply with respect to any claims arising under the Washington Franchise Investment Protection Act, RCW 19.100, and the rules adopted thereunder.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 110–299)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Annex Brands' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the General Release requires franchisees to release claims against "Franchisor-Related Persons/Entities." These entities include Annex Brands, Inc. and its past, current, and future predecessors, successors, partners, shareholders, officers, directors, agents, attorneys, accountants, and/or employees, as well as any affiliated companies and/or persons, and each of their respective partners, shareholders, officers, directors, agents, attorneys, accountants, and/or employees.
This definition also extends to any company(ies)/person(s) acting by, through, under, or in concert or affiliated or associated in any way with any of the foregoing, including but not limited to Navis Logistics Management, Inc. and each of its shareholders, officers, directors, agents, attorneys, accountants, and/or employees, as well as any of the Affiliates, predecessors, successors and/or assigns of any of the foregoing.
In essence, as a franchisee, you are releasing a wide range of individuals and entities associated with Annex Brands from any potential claims you may have, with the intention that this release be unqualifiedly general in scope and effect. However, it's important to note that this release does not apply to any claims arising under the Washington Franchise Investment Protection Act, RCW 19.100, and the rules adopted thereunder.