What agreements might a Jersey Mikes franchisee be releasing claims from, besides the Franchise Agreement?
Jersey_Mikes Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- Consistent with the previous introduction, You, on your own behalf and on behalf of your current and for mer parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries, and each such foregoing person's or entity's respective agents, spouses, heirs, principals, attorneys, owners, officers, directors, employees, representatives, predecessors, successors, and assigns (collectively, the "Releasing Parties"), hereby fully and forever unconditionally release and discharge Us and our current and former parents, subsidiaries, and affiliates, and our and each such foregoing entity's respective current and former owners, officers, directors, employees, managers, agents, representatives, predecessors, successors, and assigns (collectively, the "Franchisor Parties") of and from any and all claims, damages, demands, causes of action, suits, duties, liabilities, and agreements of every kind and nature whatsoever (collectively, "Claims"), whether at law or in equity, and known or unknown, which any of the Releasing Parties had, has, or may have had, in any way arising out of or relating to any relationship or transaction with any of the Franchisor Parties, however characterized or described, from the beginning of time to the Effective Date, including, without limitation, any and all Claims in any way arising out of or relating to the Franchise Agreement, Area Development Agreement, the relationship created by the Franchise Agreement and/or the Development Agreement, or the development, ownership, or operation of any and all of the Restaurant(s).
You, on your own behalf and on behalf of the other Releasing Parties, further covenant not to sue any of the Franchisor Parties on any of the Claims released by this paragraph and represent that You have not assigned any of the Claims released by this paragraph to any individual or entity who is not bound by this paragraph.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 77)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Jersey Mike's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee may be required to sign a general release that covers claims beyond just the Franchise Agreement itself. This release extends to any and all claims against Jersey Mike's and its subsidiaries and affiliates, as well as their respective officers, directors, agents, shareholders, and employees. This broad release encompasses various types of grievances, including damages, demands, causes of action, suits, duties, liabilities, and agreements, whether they are based in law or equity, and whether they are known or unknown.
Specifically, the release covers claims arising from any relationship or transaction with Jersey Mike's, regardless of how it is characterized or described. This includes, but is not limited to, claims related to the Area Development Agreement, the relationship created by the Franchise Agreement and/or the Development Agreement, or the development, ownership, or operation of any and all of the Restaurant(s). The release applies from the beginning of time up to the effective date of the release, indicating its comprehensive nature.
This requirement means that a franchisee, along with their parents, affiliates, subsidiaries, agents, spouses, heirs, principals, attorneys, owners, officers, directors, employees, representatives, predecessors, successors, and assigns, waives their right to sue Jersey Mike's for any past, present, or future issues related to their franchise. The franchisee also covenants not to sue Jersey Mike's on any of the released claims and represents that they have not assigned any of these claims to any individual or entity not bound by this release. This is a significant commitment that prospective franchisees should carefully consider with legal counsel before signing.