Does the FDD require Crown Gold Exchange to include a renewal provision in its franchise agreement?

According to Crown Gold Exchange's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchise agreement requires the franchisee to sign a general release of claims upon renewal or transfer of the Franchise Agreement. However, the California Corporations Code Section 31512 states that any condition that requires a person acquiring a franchise to waive compliance with any provision of that law is void. Additionally, California Business and Professions Code Sections 20000 through 20043 provide rights to the franchisee concerning termination, transfer, or non-renewal of a franchise, and if the Franchise Agreement contains a provision that is inconsistent with the law, the law will control.

Furthermore, the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act of 1987 and the Maryland addendum to the disclosure document state that no statement signed by a franchisee shall waive any claims under any applicable state franchise law, including fraud in the inducement, or disclaiming reliance on behalf of the Franchisor.

In Michigan, a provision that permits a franchisor to refuse to renew a franchise without fairly compensating the franchisee by repurchase or other means for the fair market value at the time of expiration of the franchisee's inventory, supplies, equipment, fixtures, and furnishings is void and unenforceable if the term of the franchise is less than 5 years and the franchisee is prohibited from continuing to conduct substantially the same business under another trademark in the same area after the expiration of the franchise, or the franchisee does not receive at least 6 months advance notice of the franchisor's intent not to renew the franchise. Also, a provision that permits the franchisor to refuse to renew a franchise on terms generally available to other franchisees of the same class or type under similar circumstances is void and unenforceable.