For Dryject franchises in Maryland, what claims cannot be waived by a franchisee in connection with the commencement of the franchise relationship?
Dryject Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
No statement, questionnaire, or acknowledgment signed or agreed to by a franchisee in connection with the commencement of the franchise relationship shall have the effect of (i) waiving any claims under any applicable state franchise law, including fraud in the inducement, or (ii) disclaiming reliance on any statement made by any franchisor, franchise seller, or other person acting on behalf of the franchisor. This provision supersedes any other term of any document executed in connection with the franchise.
Source: Item 8 — BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP (FDD pages 68–229)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Dryject's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, there are specific protections for franchisees in Maryland regarding the waiver of claims. Any statement, questionnaire, or acknowledgment signed by a Dryject franchisee in connection with starting the franchise cannot waive claims under any applicable state franchise law. This explicitly includes claims related to fraud in the inducement.
Additionally, a Dryject franchisee in Maryland cannot disclaim reliance on any statement made by Dryject, its franchise sellers, or anyone acting on Dryject's behalf. This protection ensures that franchisees are not bound by agreements that prevent them from pursuing legal recourse based on misrepresentations or misleading information provided by Dryject during the franchise sales process.
This provision in the Dryject FDD supersedes any other conflicting terms in any document executed in connection with the franchise agreement. This means that even if other documents contain clauses that appear to waive these rights, the Maryland-specific protection will take precedence, offering a stronger safeguard for franchisees. This addendum aims to protect franchisees from unknowingly or unintentionally relinquishing their legal rights under Maryland franchise law when starting their Dryject franchise.