Does the Desi District General Release apply to liabilities under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law?

According to Desi District's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, the General Release does not apply to liabilities under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law. This means that even if a franchisee signs a general release, they do not waive their rights to pursue claims against Desi District under Maryland's franchise laws. This protection is explicitly stated within the Maryland Addendum to the Disclosure Document and the General Release form itself.

This provision is favorable for prospective Desi District franchisees in Maryland, as it ensures that they retain their legal rights and remedies under Maryland franchise law, regardless of any general release they may sign in other contexts, such as during a franchise renewal or sale. This helps to protect franchisees from inadvertently waiving important legal protections.

It is common practice for franchise agreements to include general releases, but some states, like Maryland, have specific laws to protect franchisees' rights. The Maryland Addendum and the General Release form clarify that the general release does not supersede these protections, providing an additional layer of security for franchisees operating in Maryland.