Does Hck Hot Chicken allow for addendums to the Franchise Agreement?
Hck_Hot_Chicken Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
This Development Agreement and the HCK Hot Chicken Brand Standards Manual contain all the terms and conditions agreed upon by the parties with reference to the subject matter of this Development Agreement.
No other agreements concerning the subject matter of this Development Agreement, oral or otherwise, shall be deemed to exist or to bind any of the parties.
All prior or contemporaneous agreements, understandings and representations relating to the subject matter of this Development Agreement, are merged and are expressly and superseded by this Development Agreement, except such representations as are made in the franchise disclosure document delivered to Area Developer and any representations made by Area Developer in acquiring this Development Agreement.
Nothing in this Development Agreement or any related agreement is intended to disclaim the representations made by Franchisor in the franchise disclosure document delivered to Area Developer.
No officer or employee or agent of Franchisor has any authority to make any representation or promise not contained in this Development Agreement or in the franchise disclosure document delivered to Area Developer, and Area
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 55–245)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Hck Hot Chicken's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the Area Development Agreement and the HCK Hot Chicken Brand Standards Manual contain all the terms and conditions agreed upon by the parties. No other agreements concerning the subject matter of the Development Agreement, oral or otherwise, shall be deemed to exist or to bind any of the parties. All prior or contemporaneous agreements, understandings, and representations relating to the subject matter of the Area Development Agreement are merged and are expressly superseded by the Development Agreement, except such representations as are made in the franchise disclosure document delivered to the Area Developer and any representations made by the Area Developer in acquiring the Development Agreement.
This implies that the written agreements, along with the FDD, constitute the entire agreement, superseding any prior discussions or understandings. This is a standard clause in franchise agreements to prevent disputes based on verbal promises or understandings not documented in writing.
However, the document also states that nothing in the Development Agreement or any related agreement is intended to disclaim the representations made by Hck Hot Chicken in the franchise disclosure document delivered to the Area Developer. This protects the franchisee from any attempt by Hck Hot Chicken to deny representations made in the FDD. Additionally, no officer, employee, or agent of Hck Hot Chicken has any authority to make any representation or promise not contained in the Development Agreement or in the franchise disclosure document delivered to the Area Developer.
Prospective franchisees should ensure that all important terms and conditions are included in the written agreements (Franchise Agreement, Area Development Agreement, and HCK Hot Chicken Brand Standards Manual) and the FDD. Any verbal promises or representations made by Hck Hot Chicken representatives should be confirmed in writing to avoid future disputes.