What is the scope of the claims released by the franchisee and their owners in the Cicis general release?
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.
We also are entitled to release and covenant not to sue from your owners. By his, her, or their separate signatures below, your owners likewise grant to us the release and covenant not to sue provided above.
If the franchise you operate under the Agreement is located in Maryland or if any of the Releasing Parties is a resident of Maryland, the following shall apply:
Any general release provided for hereunder shall not apply to any liability under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING (FDD pages 31–38)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Cicis Franchise Disclosure Document, Cicis requires a general release from franchisees and their owners under certain circumstances. This release covers a broad range of potential claims against Cicis and its affiliates. The franchisee, along with their affiliated entities, successors, heirs, and other related parties, releases Cicis and its associated parties from any and all claims, damages (both known and unknown), demands, causes of action, suits, liabilities, and agreements of any kind. This release extends from the beginning of time up to the date the franchisee signs the agreement.
The claims covered include those arising from Cicis's obligations under the Franchise Agreement or related to the relationship between the franchisee and Cicis. The franchisee also agrees not to sue Cicis on any of the released claims and confirms that they have not assigned these claims to any individual or entity not bound by the release. Cicis also requires a release and covenant not to sue from the franchisee's owners, ensuring that they also waive their rights to bring claims against Cicis.
However, there is an exception for franchisees located in Maryland or residents of Maryland. In these cases, the general release does not apply to any liability under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law. This ensures that franchisees in Maryland retain their rights under state franchise law, despite the general release provided to Cicis. This type of release is common in franchising when the franchisor is making some concession to the franchisee.