Does the Bumper Man General Release apply to claims arising after the date of the release?
Bumper_Man Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- **1.
Release by Franchisee and Guarantors.** Franchisee and Guarantors, on behalf of themselves and their successors, heirs, personal representatives, executors, administrators, personal representatives, agents, contractors, assigns, partners, shareholders, members, directors, officers, members, principals, employees, parents, subsidiaries, and affiliated entities, (collectively "Releasors") freely and without any influence forever release Franchisor, its parent, subsidiaries and affiliates and their respective past and present officers, directors, shareholders, agents and employees, in their corporate and individual capacities (collectively, the "Released Parties"), from any and all claims, demands, liabilities and causes of action of whatever kind or nature, whether known or unknown, vested or contingent, suspected or unsuspected (collectively "Claims"), that Releasors ever owned or held, now own or hold or may in the future own or hold, including, without limitation, claims arising under federal, state and local laws, rules and ordinances, claims for contribution, indemnity and/or subrogation, and claims arising out of, or relating to the Franchise Agreement and all other agreements between Franchisee and/or any Guarantor and any Released Parties, arising out of, or relating to any act, omission or event occurring on or before the date of this Release, unless prohibited by applicable law.
- **2.
Risk of Changed Facts.** Franchisee and Guarantors understand that the facts in respect of which the Release in Section 1 above is given may turn out to be different from the facts now known or believed by them to be true.
Franchisee and Guarantors hereby accept and assume the risk of the facts turning out to be different and agree that the Release shall nevertheless be effective in all respects and not subject to termination or rescission by virtue of any such difference in facts.
- **3.
No Prior Assignment.** Franchisee and Guarantors represent and warrant that the Releasors are the sole owners of all Claims and rights released hereunder and that Releasors have not assigned or transferred, or purported to assign or transfer, to any person or entity, any Claim released under Section 1 above.
- **4.
Covenant Not to Sue.** Franchisee and Guarantors, on behalf of themselves and Releasors, covenant not to initiate, prosecute, encourage, assist, or (except as required by law) participate in any civil, criminal, or administrative proceeding or investigation in any court, agency, or other forum, either affirmatively or by way of cross-claim, defense, or counterclaim, against any person or entity released under Section 1 above with respect to any Claim released under Section 1 above.
- **5.
Complete Defense.** Franchisee and Guarantors: (i) acknowledge that this Release shall be a complete defense to any Claim released under Section 1 above; and (ii) consent to the entry of a temporary or permanent injunction to prevent or end the assertion of any such Claim.
- **6.
Successors and Assigns.** This Release will inure to the benefit of and bind the successor, assigns, heirs and personal representatives of Franchisor and each Releasor.
- 7. This Release of Claims does not apply to claims arising under the Franchise Investment Protection Act, chapter 19.100 RCW, or the rules adopted thereunder in accordance with RCW 19.100.220(2).
[The following is to be used only for California franchisees]
Acknowledgment of Releases under California Law. Each Party granting a release acknowledges a familiarity with Section 1542 of the Civil Code of the State of California, which provides as follows:
"A general release does not extend to claims that the creditor or releasing party does not know or suspect to exist in his or her favor at the time of executing the release and that, if known by him or her, would have materially affected his or her settlement with the debtor or released party."
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 45)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Bumper Man Franchise Disclosure Document, the general release provided by the franchisee and any guarantors releases Bumper Man from claims arising on or before the date of the release, unless prohibited by applicable law. Specifically, the release covers all claims, demands, liabilities, and causes of action, whether known or unknown, vested or contingent, suspected or unsuspected, that the franchisee ever owned, now owns, or may own in the future. These claims include those arising under federal, state, and local laws, as well as claims related to the Franchise Agreement and other agreements between the franchisee and Bumper Man.
The release explicitly applies to acts, omissions, or events occurring on or before the date of the release. Franchisees also assume the risk that facts may change and agree that the release remains effective regardless of any differences in facts discovered later. This means that franchisees are giving up their right to sue Bumper Man for issues that occurred before the release date, even if they are not yet aware of those issues.
However, the Bumper Man FDD also states that this release of claims does not apply to claims arising under the Franchise Investment Protection Act, chapter 19.100 RCW, or the rules adopted thereunder in accordance with RCW 19.100.220(2). Additionally, for California franchisees, the document acknowledges California Civil Code Section 1542, which states that a general release does not extend to claims unknown or unsuspected at the time of the release, which, if known, would have materially affected the settlement. Therefore, the general release appears to primarily address claims arising before the release date, with some exceptions depending on the jurisdiction and specific type of claim.