Who is the 'Releasor' in the Chocolate Fish Coffee General Release?

According to Chocolate Fish Coffee's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, the 'Releasor' in the General Release form is the 'undersigned'. The document specifies that the General Release is executed by the Releasor in favor of Chocolate Fish Franchising, LLC.

This means that a Chocolate Fish Coffee franchisee, under certain circumstances such as a franchise renewal or the sale of their franchise, may be required to sign a general release, thereby becoming the Releasor. By signing this release, the franchisee agrees to the terms outlined within it.

It is important to note that the General Release is not signed when initially purchasing a franchise. The document also includes specific stipulations for residents of Maryland and Washington, indicating that the release's applicability may vary based on state laws. Specifically, the release shall not apply to any liability under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law for Maryland residents, and for Washington residents, a release or waiver of rights executed by a franchisee shall not include rights under the Washington Franchise Investment Protection Act except when executed pursuant to a negotiated settlement after the franchise agreement is in effect and where the parties are represented by independent counsel.