Does the Bumper Man franchise agreement require a General Release?

According to the 2025 Bumper Man Franchise Disclosure Document, a General Release is executed by the franchisee and guarantors as a condition of transfer or renewal of the Franchise Agreement. This means that when a Bumper Man franchisee seeks to transfer their franchise to a new owner or renew their existing agreement, they (and any guarantors) may be required to sign a document releasing Bumper Man from certain potential liabilities or claims.

However, the FDD also includes state-specific addenda that may impact the enforceability of such a release. For example, in Maryland, any provision requiring a franchisee to sign a general release of claims against Bumper Man, including upon execution of the Franchise Agreement or a successor franchise agreement or transfer, does not release any claim the franchisee may have under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law. This suggests that while Bumper Man's standard agreement may include a general release, its application can be limited by state laws designed to protect franchisees.

Prospective franchisees should carefully review the franchise agreement and any applicable state addenda with legal counsel to understand the full scope and implications of any general release provisions. They should also be aware that the requirement to sign a general release could potentially limit their ability to pursue certain legal claims against Bumper Man in the future, depending on the circumstances and the governing state law.