Who is responsible for their own fees and expenses incurred in connection with the All County mediation?

According to All County's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, each party involved in a mediation is responsible for covering their own fees and expenses. This means that the franchisee will bear the costs of their legal representation, expert consultations, and any other expenses they incur while participating in the mediation process. This is a standard practice in franchising, as it ensures that each party is responsible for managing their own legal and consulting resources during dispute resolution.

This arrangement means that prospective All County franchisees should factor in potential legal and consulting costs when evaluating the financial implications of the franchise agreement. While mediation aims to resolve disputes efficiently, franchisees should be prepared to cover their expenses if a disagreement arises. Understanding this responsibility is crucial for franchisees to budget appropriately and make informed decisions throughout their relationship with All County.

In the event of a dispute, All County requires mediation before arbitration, so it is important to understand the costs associated with mediation. The costs of the mediator will be split equally between the parties. If mediation is unsuccessful, the parties may proceed to arbitration, where similar cost allocation principles may apply, subject to the arbitrator's discretion and the terms outlined in the franchise agreement.