Under what circumstances does the addendum to the Hardees Restaurant Development Agreement for Maryland franchisees become effective?

According to Hardees' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the addendum to the Hardees Restaurant Development Agreement for Maryland franchisees becomes effective only if the jurisdictional requirements of the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law are independently met, regardless of the addendum itself. This means that the addendum's provisions will only apply if the legal prerequisites for Maryland franchise law are satisfied on their own.

This condition ensures that the addendum does not override or circumvent existing Maryland franchise laws. It clarifies that the addendum is intended to supplement, not replace, the protections and requirements already in place under Maryland law.

For a prospective Hardees franchisee in Maryland, this implies that they should be aware of the specific jurisdictional requirements of the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law. The franchisee should ensure that their franchise arrangement independently meets these requirements to fully benefit from the addendum's provisions. This may involve consulting with a legal professional to confirm compliance with Maryland law.

In essence, this clause protects both Hardees and the franchisee by ensuring adherence to Maryland's franchise regulations, providing a legal framework for their agreement.