What is the geographic location for all All County mediation sessions?
All_County Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
All mediation sessions will occur in Florida at a mutually agreed location and must be attended by your Principal Owners or Managing Owner (and any other persons with authority to settle the dispute on your behalf) and our representatives(s) who is/are authorized to settle the dispute.
The parties may be represented by counsel at the mediation.
The parties agree to participate in the mediation proceedings in good faith and with the intention of resolving the dispute if at all possible within thirty (30) days of the notice from the party seeking to initiate the mediation procedures.
If the dispute is not resolved within thirty (30) days, the parties are free to pursue arbitration.
In addition, if the party receiving notice of mediation has not responded within five (5) days of delivery of the notice or a party fails to participate in the mediation, this Article 25.12.1. will no longer be applicable and the other party can pursue arbitration.
The parties agree that the costs of the mediator will be split equally between the parties.
Each party must pay its own fees and expenses incurred in connection with the mediation.
The mediation proceeding and any negotiations and results thereof will be treated as a compromise settlement negotiation and the entire process is confidential.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 43–157)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to All County's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, all mediation sessions will take place in Florida at a location agreed upon by both parties. The Principal Owners or Managing Owner of the franchise, along with anyone else authorized to settle the dispute on the franchisee's behalf, and All County's representatives who are authorized to settle the dispute must attend these sessions.
Both parties have the option to be represented by legal counsel during the mediation. The FDD emphasizes that all participants should engage in the mediation process with good faith and aim to resolve the dispute within 30 days from the initial notice. If the dispute remains unresolved after this period, either party can then proceed to arbitration.
It's important to note that if the party receiving the mediation notice doesn't respond within five days or fails to participate in the mediation, the mediation clause becomes void, and the other party can pursue arbitration immediately. The costs associated with the mediator are to be split equally between All County and the franchisee, while each party is responsible for covering their own additional expenses related to the mediation. The mediation proceedings, including any negotiations and outcomes, are to be kept confidential and treated as compromise settlement negotiations.