For Monicals Pizza franchises in Maryland, what must each party acknowledge regarding the addendum to the Franchise Agreement?
Monicals_Pizza Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
| Pizza Corporation and | This Addendum to the Franchise Agreement is agreed to this day of, 20, between Monical |
|---|---|
| 1. | In recognition of the requirements of the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law, Md. Code Ann., Bus. Reg. §§14-201-14-233, the Franchise Agreement for Monical Pizza Corporation is amended as follows: |
| | Sections 4.2.9, 8.3 and 18.2.3 require Franchisee to sign a general release as a condition of renewal or transfer of the franchise and Sections 5.2, 5.5 and 8.3 require Franchisee to sign a general release as a condition to receiving a refund of a portion of the Franchise Fee following a termination of the franchise; such release shall exclude claims arising under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law. |
| | Section 16.2.1.11, which terminates the Franchise Agreement upon the bankruptcy of the Franchisee, may not be enforceable under federal bankruptcy law (11 U.S.C. Section 101, et seq.). |
| | Section 23.1 requires that the franchise be governed by the laws of the State of Illinois; however, in the event of a conflict of laws to the extent required by the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law, the laws of the State of Maryland shall prevail. |
| | Sections 23.2 and 23.7 require litigation or arbitration to be conducted in the State of Illinois; the requirement shall not limit any rights Franchisee may have under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law to bring suit in the State of Maryland. |
| | Any Section of the Franchise Agreement requiring Franchisee to assent to any release, estoppel or waiver of liability as a condition of purchasing the Franchise are not intended to, nor shall they act as a, release, estoppel or waiver of any liability incurred under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law. |
| | Section 23.4 is amended to the extent that any claims arising under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law must be brought within three (3) years after the grant of the franchise. |
| 2. | Any portion of the Franchise Agreement which requires prospective franchisees to disclaim the occurrence and/or acknowledge the non-occurrence of acts would constitute a violation of the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law. Any such representations are not intended to nor shall they act as a release, estoppel or waiver of any liability incurred under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law. |
| 3. | Each provision of this Addendum is effective only to the extent that the jurisdictional requirements of the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law applicable to the provisions are met independently of this Addendum. To the extent this Addendum shall be deemed to be inconsistent with any terms or conditions of said Franchise Agreement or exhibits or attachments thereto, the terms of this Addendum shall govern. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned hereby acknowledges having read this Addendum and understands and consents to be bound by all of its terms. |
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 46–257)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Monicals Pizza Franchise Disclosure Document, both Monicals Pizza and the franchisee in Maryland must acknowledge that they have read the addendum to the Franchise Agreement and understand and consent to be bound by all of its terms. This acknowledgement is formalized with signatures from both parties, indicating their agreement to the modified terms outlined in the addendum. This addendum specifically addresses and amends certain sections of the standard Franchise Agreement to ensure compliance with the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law.
Several sections of the standard Monicals Pizza Franchise Agreement are modified by the Maryland addendum. These modifications include exclusions of claims arising under Maryland franchise law from general releases required for franchise renewal, transfer, or refunds of franchise fees after termination. The addendum also clarifies that the standard agreement's clause terminating the agreement upon franchisee bankruptcy may not be enforceable under federal bankruptcy law. Furthermore, while the standard agreement stipulates Illinois law governs and litigation/arbitration occurs in Illinois, the addendum ensures Maryland law prevails in conflicts and protects the franchisee's right to sue in Maryland under its franchise laws.
This requirement ensures that franchisees in Maryland are aware of their rights and obligations under Maryland law, which may differ from the standard Monicals Pizza franchise agreement. The addendum serves to protect franchisees by ensuring certain provisions of the standard agreement do not infringe upon their rights under Maryland's franchise regulations. Prospective franchisees should carefully review the addendum and understand how it modifies the standard agreement to align with Maryland law. By signing the addendum, both Monicals Pizza and the franchisee demonstrate their understanding and acceptance of these specific modifications.