Who are the 'Released Parties' that the Beauty Bungalows franchisee releases from claims?
Beauty_Bungalows Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Franchisee [and Owner each] hereby releases and forever discharges Franchisor and its members, managers, officers, directors, owners, principals, managers, employees, affiliates, successors and assigns (collectively the "Released Parties"), from any and all claims, demands, obligations, liabilities, actions, causes of action, suits, proceedings, controversies, disputes, agreements, promises, allegations, costs and expenses, at law or in equity, of every nature, character or description whatsoever, whether known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected or anticipated or unanticipated, which Franchisee [or Owner] ever had, now has, or may, shall or can hereafter have or acquire (collectively referred to as "Claims"). This Release includes, but is not limited to, all Claims arising out of, concerning, pertaining to or connected with the Franchise Agreement, any other agreement, tort, statutory violation, representation, nondisclosure, act, omission to act, fact, matter or thing whatsoever, occurring as of or prior to the date of this Release, so that after the date of this Release, [neither] Franchisee [nor Owner] shall have any Claim of any kind or nature whatsoever against the Released Parties, directly or indirectly, or by reason of any matter, cause, action, transaction or thing whatsoever done, said or omitted to have been done or said at any time prior to the date of this Release.
This does not apply with respect to claims arising under the Washington Franchise Investment Protection Act, RCW 19.100, and the rules adopted thereunder.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 48–177)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Beauty Bungalows's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the 'Released Parties' in the general release include Beauty Bungalows Franchising, LLC (the Franchisor) and its members, managers, officers, directors, owners, principals, managers, employees, affiliates, successors, and assigns. This means that the franchisee, along with any owner, agrees to release all of these parties from any and all claims, demands, obligations, liabilities, actions, causes of action, suits, proceedings, controversies, disputes, agreements, promises, allegations, costs, and expenses. This release covers all claims, whether known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, or anticipated or unanticipated, that the franchisee or owner ever had, now has, or may have in the future.
This general release extends to all claims arising out of, concerning, pertaining to, or connected with the Franchise Agreement, any other agreement, tort, statutory violation, representation, nondisclosure, act, omission to act, fact, matter, or thing whatsoever occurring as of or prior to the date of the release. The intention is that after signing the release, neither the franchisee nor the owner will have any claim of any kind against the Released Parties, directly or indirectly, due to any matter, cause, action, transaction, or thing done, said, or omitted before the release date.
However, the FDD specifies that this release does not apply to claims arising under the Washington Franchise Investment Protection Act, RCW 19.100, and its associated rules. Additionally, the franchisee and owner waive their rights under Section 1542 of the Civil Code of the State of California, as well as any other statutes or common law principles of similar effect, if the Franchised Business is located in California. This waiver acknowledges that additional claims or facts may be discovered later, but the intention is to fully and forever settle and release all matters, regardless of such possibilities. This waiver is considered an essential term of the release.