Does the Bft Multi-Unit Agreement waive any liability Bft may have under the Washington Investment Protection Act?

According to Bft's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the Multi-Unit Agreement does not waive any liability that Bft may have under the Washington Investment Protection Act, specifically RCW 19.100, and its associated rules. This means that even when signing a Multi-Unit Agreement with Bft, franchisees in Washington State retain the protections afforded to them by state law regarding franchise investments.

This protection ensures that Bft franchisees in Washington maintain their rights under the Washington Franchise Investment Protection Act. These rights cannot be signed away or nullified by the franchise agreement. This provision aims to protect franchisees from potentially overreaching terms imposed by the franchisor.

Furthermore, the FDD clarifies that any release or waiver of rights executed by a franchisee cannot include rights under the Washington Franchise Investment Protection Act, unless it is part of a negotiated settlement reached after the franchise agreement is already in effect and both parties are represented by independent legal counsel. This reinforces the importance of franchisees having independent legal representation to ensure their rights are protected during any settlement negotiations.