What specific claims are excluded from the Moes Southwest Grill franchisee's indemnification obligations?

According to the 2025 Moe's Southwest Grill Franchise Disclosure Document, the general release required as a condition of renewal, transfer, and sale will not apply to any liability under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law if the franchise is operated in, or the franchisee is a resident of, Maryland. This means that if a franchisee in Maryland is renewing their agreement, transferring ownership, or selling their franchise, they are not required to release Moe's Southwest Grill from liabilities specifically arising under Maryland's franchise laws.

This protection ensures that franchisees in Maryland retain their rights to pursue claims against Moe's Southwest Grill under Maryland's franchise regulations, even when undertaking significant business changes like renewal or transfer. This addendum reflects Maryland's specific legal requirements and provides an additional layer of protection for franchisees operating within that state.

This type of state-specific addendum is common in franchise agreements to address variations in state laws. Prospective Moe's Southwest Grill franchisees should carefully review any state-specific addenda included in their Franchise Disclosure Document to understand how the franchise agreement is modified to comply with local regulations and what specific rights they retain under those laws.