Does the definition of 'Claims' for a Southern Steer franchise include requests for payment?

According to the 2025 Southern Steer Franchise Disclosure Document, the term "Claims" does not explicitly include requests for payment. However, the FDD does define "Damages", which includes various financial consequences resulting from claims.

Specifically, the definition of "Damages" in the Southern Steer franchise agreement encompasses a wide range of financial liabilities. This includes judgments, losses, injuries, awards, reparations, penalties, interest, punitive damages, lost profits, pecuniary compensation, court costs, attorneys' fees, mediation, arbitration or litigation out-of-pocket costs, settlement payments, deposition and pre-trial costs, mileage, travel expenses, investigation fees, and all other amounts paid or incurred as a result of any Claims.

While the term "Claims" itself is not directly defined, the broad scope of "Damages" suggests that any formal demand for payment that could lead to these types of financial repercussions would likely fall under the umbrella of a "Claim" for Southern Steer franchisees. Therefore, franchisees should be aware of any situation that could potentially lead to financial liabilities and consult with legal counsel as needed.