Where must arbitration take place according to the Aira Fitness franchise agreement?

According to the 2025 Aira Fitness Franchise Disclosure Document, arbitration between the franchisee and Aira Fitness must occur in the Chicago, Illinois metropolitan area. This applies to any disputes arising from the franchise agreement, leases for the Aira Fitness Business or Authorized Location, the relationship between the parties, the Aira Fitness Business itself, Aira Fitness's standards, or the scope and validity of the arbitration obligations.

This requirement means that if a franchisee has a dispute with Aira Fitness that cannot be resolved informally and proceeds to arbitration, the franchisee will be required to travel to the Chicago area for the arbitration hearings. This could involve significant travel expenses, including transportation, accommodation, and meals, as well as the cost of local legal representation if the franchisee chooses to hire an attorney in the Chicago area.

It is important to note that the arbitrator selected must have at least five years of experience in franchising or franchise law. The arbitration will be conducted under the rules of the American Arbitration Association (AAA). The arbitrator's decision is binding, but they cannot, among other things, stay a pending termination of the agreement, award punitive damages, or modify any lawful term of the agreement. Franchisees should consider these factors and potential costs when evaluating the Aira Fitness franchise opportunity.