In Maryland, what is the effect of a franchisee assenting to an estoppel of liability under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law for C12 Group franchises?

According to the 2025 C12 Group Franchise Disclosure Document, any representations requiring a franchisee to assent to a release, estoppel, or waiver of liability do not act as a release, estoppel, or waiver of any liability incurred under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law. This means that even if a C12 Group franchisee in Maryland signs an agreement that seems to waive their rights or prevent them from making claims, that agreement will not be valid concerning liabilities under Maryland's franchise law.

This protection ensures that C12 Group franchisees in Maryland retain their legal rights and remedies under the state's franchise laws, regardless of any potentially conflicting language in the franchise agreement or related documents. This provision prevents C12 Group from using contractual language to circumvent the protections afforded to franchisees by Maryland law.

Furthermore, the FDD states that a franchisee may bring a lawsuit in Maryland for claims arising under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law. Any claim arising under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law must be brought within three years after the grant of the franchise.