Regarding the Franchise Questionnaire I completed for my Bigfoot Forestry franchise application, do any representations I made act as a release of liability under the Maryland Franchise Law?
Bigfoot_Forestry Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
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- The Franchise Questionnaire that you completed in connection with your application for the franchise requires you, as a prospective franchisee, to disclaim the occurrence and/or acknowledge the nonoccurrence of acts that would constitute a violation of the Maryland Franchise Law as a condition to your purchase of the franchise. Any such representations are not intended to nor shall they act as a release, estoppel or waiver of any liability incurred under the Maryland Franchise Law.
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- Any acknowledgements or representations by you that disclaim the occurrence and/or acknowledge the non-occurrence of acts that would constitute a violation of the Maryland Law are not intended to nor shall they act as a release, estoppel or waiver of any liability incurred under the Maryland Law.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 42–162)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Bigfoot Forestry Franchise Disclosure Document, the representations you make in the Franchise Questionnaire will not act as a release, estoppel, or waiver of any liability incurred under the Maryland Franchise Law. This protection is explicitly stated to comply with Maryland Franchise Law.
Specifically, the FDD clarifies that even if the questionnaire requires you to disclaim or acknowledge certain acts related to potential violations of the Maryland Franchise Law, these statements will not be used to release Bigfoot Forestry from any liability under that law. This ensures that your answers on the questionnaire do not inadvertently waive your rights under Maryland franchise regulations.
This provision is included to protect prospective Bigfoot Forestry franchisees in Maryland, ensuring that they cannot unintentionally forfeit their legal rights through the franchise application process. It reinforces that the disclosures made in the Franchise Disclosure Document are the binding representations, not any potentially misleading or misinterpreted statements in the questionnaire.