What does the provision regarding statements, questionnaires, or acknowledgements signed by a Deer Solution franchisee supersede?

According to the 2025 Deer Solution Franchise Disclosure Document, a specific provision addresses the legal effect of statements, questionnaires, or acknowledgements signed by a franchisee when starting their franchise. This provision is designed to protect the franchisee's rights under applicable state franchise laws.

Specifically, the FDD states that no such document signed by the franchisee can waive claims related to state franchise law, including claims of fraud in the inducement. It also prevents these documents from disclaiming reliance on statements made by Deer Solution, its representatives, or franchise sellers. This means that even if a franchisee signs a document that seems to limit their ability to make certain claims, this provision ensures those rights are still protected.

Importantly, the Deer Solution FDD emphasizes that this particular provision takes precedence over any other conflicting terms found in any document executed in connection with the franchise agreement. This ensures that the franchisee's rights and protections under state franchise laws are not inadvertently undermined by other clauses or agreements. This type of clause is common in franchise agreements to protect franchisees from unknowingly waiving their legal rights.