How are terms in the Buildingstars agreement interpreted with regard to number and gender?
Buildingstars Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- G.
Gender/Heading.
All terms and words used in this Agreement, regardless of the number and gender in which they are used, shall be deemed and construed to include any other number, singular or plural, and any other gender, masculine, feminine, or neuter, as the context or sense of the Agreement or any section, paragraph, or clause herein may require, as if such words had been fully and properly written in the appropriate number and gender.
Headings and paragraph titles are for convenience of reference only and shall not define, limit, or extend the scope or intent of this Agreement or any provision thereof.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 43–217)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Buildingstars's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the terms used in the franchise agreement will be interpreted to include other numbers and genders as the context requires. This means that any term, regardless of whether it is singular or plural, masculine, feminine, or neuter, will be construed to include any other number or gender as necessary to properly understand the agreement.
For a prospective Buildingstars franchisee, this clause ensures that the agreement is flexible and adaptable to different situations. For example, if a clause refers to the "franchisee" in the singular, it also applies to multiple franchisees operating under a single agreement. Similarly, if a term uses a masculine pronoun, it also applies to female or non-binary franchisees. This avoids the need for repetitive language and ensures that the agreement is inclusive and comprehensive.
This interpretation is a standard legal practice to avoid ambiguity and ensure that contracts are enforceable regardless of minor variations in wording. The clause also clarifies that headings and paragraph titles are for convenience only and do not affect the interpretation of the agreement's actual provisions. This prevents parties from relying on headings to argue for a particular interpretation of the agreement.