Under what state's franchise law does the Crave Cookies General Release not apply?
Crave_Cookies Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
This Release contains the entire agreement of the parties concerning the subject
matter hereof. This Release shall not apply to any liability under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law.
5. The State of Washington. This general release does not apply with respect to claims arising under the Washington Franchise Investment Protection Act, RCW 19.100, and the rules adopted thereunder.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 47–194)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Crave Cookies' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the general release does not apply to claims arising under the Washington Franchise Investment Protection Act, RCW 19.100, and its associated rules. This means that if a franchisee in Washington State has a claim under this Act, signing the general release form will not prevent them from pursuing that claim.
This exception is significant for prospective Crave Cookies franchisees in Washington because it preserves their rights under state franchise law, specifically the Washington Franchise Investment Protection Act. This Act is designed to protect franchisees from unfair practices by franchisors. By stating that the general release does not apply to claims arising under this Act, Crave Cookies acknowledges the importance of these protections for its Washington franchisees.
For franchisees outside of Washington, the general release would likely be enforceable, meaning they would be giving up their right to sue Crave Cookies for any claims covered by the release. This highlights the importance of carefully reviewing all documents and understanding your rights under both the franchise agreement and applicable state laws before signing any agreements.