Who are considered 'Franchisor Parties' in the Cicis general release agreement?
Cicis Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Consistent with the previous introduction, you, on your own behalf and on behalf of your affiliated entities, and each such foregoing person's or entity's successors, heirs, executors, administrators, personal representatives, agents, assigns, partners, owners, managers, directors, officers, principals and employees (collectively, the "Releasing Parties"), hereby forever release and discharge us and our current and former affiliated entities, and each such entity's officers, directors, owners, managers, principals, employees, agents, representatives, successors, and assigns (collectively, the "Franchisor Parties") of and from any and all claims, damages (known and unknown), demands, causes of action, suits, duties, liabilities, and agreements of any nature and kind (collectively, "Claims") that you and any of the other Releasing Parties now has, ever had, or, but for this document, hereafter would or could have against any of the Franchisor Parties, including without limitation, (1) arising out of or related to the Franchisor Parties' obligations under the Agreement, or (2) otherwise arising from or related to your and the other Releasing Parties' relationship, from the beginning of time to the date of your signature below, with any of the Franchisor Parties. You, on your own behalf and on behalf of the other Releasing Parties, further covenant not to sue any of the Franchisor Parties on any of the Claims released by this paragraph and represent that you have not assigned any of the Claims released by this paragraph to any individual or entity who is not bound by this paragraph.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING (FDD pages 31–38)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Cicis's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the "Franchisor Parties" in the general release agreement include ON SMILE LLC (referred to as "we," "us," or "our"), along with its current and former affiliated entities. This extends to each entity's officers, directors, owners, managers, principals, employees, agents, representatives, successors, and assigns.
This definition is important because it specifies who the franchisee (and their affiliated entities) is releasing from any potential claims. The release covers a broad range of claims, damages, demands, and liabilities that the franchisee might have against Cicis and related parties. The agreement also includes a covenant not to sue any of the Franchisor Parties on any of the released claims.
Prospective franchisees should carefully review this section with legal counsel to fully understand the scope of the release and its implications. Franchisees in Maryland should note that the general release does not apply to any liability under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law.