What does the Golden Corral franchise agreement supersede?
Golden_Corral Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
This Agreement, the documents referred to herein, and the Attachments hereto, if any, constitute the entire, full, and complete Agreement between Franchisor and Franchisee concerning the subject matter hereof, and supersede any and all prior agreements, no other representations having induced Franchisee to execute this Agreement. No amendment, change, or variance from this Agreement shall be binding on either party unless mutually agreed to by the parties and executed in writing. Nothing in this Section 22 is intended as, nor shall it be interpreted as, a disclaimer by Franchisor of any representation made in its Franchise Disclosure Document, including any exhibits or amendments thereof.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 85–304)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Golden Corral's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchise agreement, along with referenced documents and attachments, constitutes the entire agreement between Golden Corral and the franchisee. This complete agreement supersedes any and all prior agreements. The FDD clarifies that no other representations induced the franchisee to enter into the agreement. Any amendments or changes to the agreement must be mutually agreed upon and executed in writing to be binding on either party.
This clause ensures that all understandings and obligations are contained within the written franchise agreement, providing clarity and preventing disputes based on prior verbal agreements or understandings. However, the FDD explicitly states that nothing in this section should be interpreted as a disclaimer by Golden Corral of any representation made in its Franchise Disclosure Document, including exhibits or amendments. This protects the franchisee by ensuring that the disclosures made in the FDD remain valid and enforceable.
For franchisees in California and Maryland, specific amendments to the franchise agreement further clarify this point. The California and Maryland amendments reiterate that the franchise agreement constitutes the entire agreement and supersedes prior agreements. Additionally, these amendments state that no statement, questionnaire, or acknowledgment signed by a franchisee can waive claims under state franchise law, including claims of fraud, or disclaim reliance on statements made by Golden Corral. This provision reinforces franchisee protection under state laws, ensuring that franchisees cannot inadvertently waive their legal rights through standard acknowledgments or certifications.