Does Hck Hot Chicken recognize any verbal agreements regarding franchise operations?
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and representations relating to the subject matter of this Development Agreement, are merged and are expressly and superseded by this Development Agreement, except such representations as are made in the franchise disclosure document delivered to Area Developer and any representations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 the 2025 Hck Hot Chicken Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchise agreement and the HCK Hot Chicken Brand Standards Manual contain all the terms and conditions agreed upon by the parties. This means that Hck Hot Chicken does not recognize verbal agreements.
The franchise agreement explicitly states that no other agreements concerning the subject matter, whether oral or otherwise, shall be deemed to exist or bind any of the parties. All prior or contemporaneous agreements, understandings, and representations are merged into and superseded by the written Development Agreement. This clause ensures that the written contract is the final and complete expression of the agreement between Hck Hot Chicken and the area developer.
However, the agreement does acknowledge representations 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 means that while verbal promises are not binding, written representations in the FDD are considered valid. Additionally, the agreement specifies that no officer, employee, or agent of Hck Hot Chicken has the authority to make any representation or promise not contained in the Development Agreement or the franchise disclosure document.
This "entire agreement" clause is a common provision in franchise agreements. It protects Hck Hot Chicken from claims based on informal promises or representations made during the negotiation process. Prospective franchisees should ensure that all important terms and conditions are included in the written agreements, as verbal assurances may not be enforceable.