Is the Crave acknowledgement form intended for use in Maryland?

According to Crave's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the standard Franchisee Acknowledgment Statement is not intended for use in Maryland. Specifically, Exhibit I of the FDD includes an acknowledgement form that franchisees typically sign, but the document explicitly states that Maryland franchisees should not respond to or sign the acknowledgments. This is further reinforced by an addendum to the Franchise Disclosure Document required by the state of Maryland.

This instruction is likely due to specific provisions in Maryland franchise law designed to protect franchisees. The addendum includes stipulations that ensure Maryland franchisees do not waive rights or claims under Maryland franchise law. This includes claims related to fraud in the inducement or reliance on statements made by the franchisor.

For a prospective Crave franchisee in Maryland, this means that the standard acknowledgment form should be disregarded. Instead, they should refer to the specific addendum for Maryland, which outlines the modifications and additional protections applicable under Maryland law. This ensures compliance with state regulations and safeguards the franchisee's rights within the franchise agreement.