For Deer Solution franchisees in Washington, is there additional language required in the general release?

According to the 2025 Deer Solution Franchise Disclosure Document, there are specific stipulations regarding the release or waiver of rights for franchisees in Washington. A Deer Solution franchisee's release or waiver of rights cannot include rights under the Washington Franchise Investment Protection Act, unless it is executed as part of a negotiated settlement after the franchise agreement is already in effect and both parties are represented by independent legal counsel.

This means that Deer Solution cannot require a franchisee to broadly waive their rights under the Washington Franchise Investment Protection Act at the outset of the agreement. Any such waiver must be the result of a specific, negotiated settlement of a dispute that arises after the agreement is in place, and the franchisee must have their own lawyer representing them in that negotiation. This protects the franchisee from unknowingly or unfairly giving up their legal rights.

Additionally, the FDD states that any provisions that unreasonably restrict or limit the statute of limitations for claims under the Act, or rights or remedies under the Act, such as the right to a jury trial, may not be enforceable. This further safeguards the Deer Solution franchisee's ability to pursue legal action under the Washington Franchise Investment Protection Act if necessary, ensuring that they cannot be unfairly prevented from doing so by overly restrictive clauses in the franchise agreement.