Who is included in the definition of "Cajun Releasees" that are released from claims in the general release for Churchs Chicken?
Churchs_Chicken Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Effective upon Franchisee's execution of this Agreement, Franchisee (on behalf of itself and its parent, subsidiaries and affiliates and their respective past and present officers, directors, shareholders, agents and employees, in their corporate and individual capacities, or if Franchisee is an individual, on behalf of himself/herself and his/her heirs, representatives, successors and assigns), all individuals who execute this Agreement (on behalf of themselves and their heirs, representatives, successors and assigns) and all guarantors of Franchisee's obligations under this Agreement (on behalf of themselves and their heirs, representatives, successors and assigns) (collectively "Franchisee Releasors") freely and without any influence forever release and covenant not to sue Cajun, its parent, subsidiaries and affiliates and their respective past and present officers, directors, members, managers, shareholders, agents and employees, in their corporate and individual capacities (collectively "Cajun Releasees") 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"), which any Franchisee Releasor now owns or holds or may at any time have owned or held, 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 this Agreement and all other agreements between any Franchisee Releasor and any Cajun Releasee, the sale of a franchise to Franchisee, the development and operation of the Franchised Restaurant and the development and operation of all other restaurants operated by Franchisee or any guarantor that are franchised by Cajun or its parent, subsidiaries or affiliates.
This General Release does not release any Claims arising from representations made in Church's Franchise Disclosure Document and its exhibits.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 68–406)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Churchs Chicken's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the "Cajun Releasees" are defined in the context of a general release. This release is effective upon the franchisee's execution of the franchise agreement. The "Cajun Releasees" include Cajun itself, along with its parent company, subsidiaries, and affiliates.
Specifically, the release extends to the past and present officers, directors, members, managers, shareholders, agents, and employees of Cajun and its related entities, acting in both their corporate and individual capacities. This means that the release covers a broad range of individuals and entities associated with the Churchs Chicken franchise system.
In practical terms, a Churchs Chicken franchisee, upon signing the franchise agreement, agrees to release all the aforementioned parties from any claims, demands, liabilities, and causes of action. This release encompasses known and unknown claims, arising from various sources, including federal, state, and local laws, as well as claims related to the franchise agreement itself, the sale of the franchise, and the operation of the franchised restaurant. However, the general release does not apply to claims arising from representations made in Church's Franchise Disclosure Document and its exhibits.