What statement is included in the Crave Franchise Agreement and Franchisee Acknowledgment Statement regarding releases, estoppels, or waivers of liability under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law?

According to Crave's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, both the Franchise Agreement and Franchisee Acknowledgment Statement include a specific statement addressing releases, estoppels, or waivers of liability related to the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law. This statement clarifies that any representations requiring prospective franchisees to agree to a release, estoppel, or waiver are not intended to, and will not, act as a release, estoppel, or waiver of any liability incurred under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law. This provision is included as part of an addendum to the franchise agreement required by the state of Maryland.

This addendum ensures that Crave franchisees in Maryland retain their rights and protections under Maryland franchise law. It prevents franchisees from inadvertently waiving their rights through general releases or acknowledgments within the franchise agreement. This is particularly important because Maryland franchise law provides certain protections to franchisees, and this clause ensures those protections remain in place.

Prospective Crave franchisees in Maryland should pay close attention to this addendum. It explicitly states that certain clauses within the standard franchise agreement do not apply to claims arising under Maryland franchise law. This ensures that franchisees can pursue legal remedies if they believe Crave has violated the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law, without being barred by waivers or releases that might exist in other parts of the agreement.