Who is required to attend the 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, if a dispute arises that requires mediation, specific individuals are mandated to attend the mediation sessions. The franchisee's Principal Owners or Managing Owner, along with any individuals authorized to settle the dispute on the franchisee's behalf, must be present. Similarly, All County's representatives who are authorized to settle the dispute must also attend.
These mediation sessions are required to occur in Florida at a location agreed upon by both parties. The FDD specifies that both parties can be represented by legal counsel during the mediation. The goal is to resolve the dispute in good faith within 30 days of the initial notice.
Failure to respond to the mediation notice within five days or failure to participate in the mediation can result in the other party pursuing arbitration, making the mediation terms no longer applicable. Each party is responsible for their own expenses related to the mediation, while the costs of the mediator are split equally between the parties. The entire mediation process is confidential, and all negotiations are treated as compromise settlement negotiations.