A quick-exit assembly for reclining furniture, including motorized versions, is provided. An exemplary quick-exit assembly may include a linkage assembly configured to move between a first position and a second position. A drive mechanism may be coupled to the linkage assembly, and may be configured to move the linkage assembly between the first position and the second position using an actuator, and also, allow movement of the linkage assembly between the first position and the second position using manual force with reduced restriction from the drive mechanism.