If a capitalized term is not defined in the Maryland Addendum, where can its meaning be found for a Hardees franchise?

According to Hardees's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, specifically the addendum for Maryland franchisees, any capitalized terms not explicitly defined within the addendum itself will have the meanings ascribed to them in the Development Agreement. This is important for prospective Hardees franchisees in Maryland because the addendum modifies the standard Development Agreement to comply with Maryland law.

This means that franchisees need to be familiar with both the addendum and the Development Agreement to fully understand their rights and obligations. If a term is capitalized but its meaning is unclear from the addendum, franchisees must refer back to the original Development Agreement for clarification. This ensures consistency and avoids ambiguity in interpreting the franchise agreement.

For instance, if the Maryland Addendum uses the term "Franchise Territory" without defining it, a franchisee would need to consult the Development Agreement to understand the specific geographic area they are granted to operate their Hardees restaurant. This reliance on the Development Agreement for undefined terms underscores the importance of carefully reviewing both documents before signing a franchise agreement.