What is prohibited regarding acknowledgements signed by a Crab N Spice franchisee?

According to the 2024 Crab N Spice Franchise Disclosure Document, specifically for franchisees in Illinois, certain acknowledgements are prohibited to ensure compliance with the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act.

Specifically, any statement, questionnaire, or acknowledgement signed by a Crab N Spice franchisee in connection with starting the franchise relationship cannot waive any claims under the Illinois Act or any other Illinois law. This means Crab N Spice cannot require franchisees to sign away their legal rights under Illinois state law when they begin their franchise.

However, this restriction does not prevent a Crab N Spice franchisee from entering into a settlement agreement or executing a general release regarding a potential or actual lawsuit filed under the Illinois Act. It also does not prevent the arbitration of any claim pursuant to the provisions of Title 9 of the United States Code. This ensures that while franchisees cannot be forced to waive their rights upfront, they can still resolve disputes through settlement, release, or arbitration later on.