Does the Chocolate Bash release agreement apply to liability under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law?

According to Chocolate Bash's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, the General Release agreement that a franchisee may be required to sign does not apply to liability under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law. This means that even if a franchisee signs a general release, they still retain their rights and protections under Maryland's franchise law.

This provision is important for prospective Chocolate Bash franchisees in Maryland because it ensures that they do not inadvertently waive their legal rights under Maryland franchise law by signing the release. The Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law is designed to protect franchisees from unfair practices by franchisors, and this clause preserves those protections.

It is common practice for franchise agreements and general releases to include clauses that specify which laws and jurisdictions they are subject to. This helps to clarify the legal framework governing the relationship between the franchisor and franchisee and to avoid potential conflicts of law. Franchisees should always carefully review these clauses and seek legal advice if they have any questions or concerns.