In the Browns Chicken franchise agreement, what is the effect of a franchisee signing a questionnaire regarding waiving claims under franchise law?

According to Browns Chicken's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, any statement, questionnaire, or acknowledgment signed by a franchisee related to the franchise commencement will not waive claims under state franchise law, including fraud in the inducement. It also will not disclaim reliance on statements made by Browns Chicken, franchise sellers, or individuals acting on behalf of Browns Chicken. This provision overrides any conflicting terms in any document executed in connection with the franchise agreement.

This means that even if a prospective Browns Chicken franchisee signs a document that appears to waive their rights or acknowledge they are not relying on statements made by the franchisor, those waivers or disclaimers will not be legally effective regarding state franchise law or reliance on franchisor statements. This protects the franchisee from inadvertently giving up legal rights during the initial stages of the franchise relationship.

This type of clause is included to protect franchisees, ensuring they retain their rights under franchise laws and can pursue claims like fraud if they believe they were misled. Prospective Browns Chicken franchisees should still carefully review all documents before signing, but this provision offers some assurance that they are not unknowingly forfeiting important legal protections.