Does the All Dogs Unleashed franchise agreement require mediation for disputes?
All_Dogs_Unleashed Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
| Provision | Section in Franchise Agreement | Summary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| u. | Dispute resolution by arbitration or mediation | Sections 19.2 and 19.3 | Claims, controversies, or disputes from or relating to the franchise agreement must be mediated, except for actions seeking injunctive relief and actions we bring which are related to or based on our Marks or Confidential Information. If the claims, controversies, or disputes are not resolved in mediation, they must be submitted for arbitration (subject to relevant state law). |
| v. | Choice of forum | Sections 19.2, 19.3, and 19.4 | Mediation and arbitration at the AAA offices located in the city where our principal business office is located at the time mediation and/or arbitration occurs. Venue for any other proceeding is the courts in the county in which we maintain our principal business office (subject to applicable state law). |
| w. | Choice of law | Section 19.1 | Disputes are governed under the laws of the State of Texas, (subject to applicable state law) without regard to its conflict of law rules. |
Source: Item 17 — RENEWAL, TERMINATION, TRANSFER AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION THE FRANCHISE RELATIONSHIP (FDD pages 30–38)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 All Dogs Unleashed Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchise agreement mandates mediation for claims, controversies, or disputes arising from or related to the franchise agreement. However, there are exceptions to this requirement. Specifically, actions seeking injunctive relief and actions brought by All Dogs Unleashed related to or based on their Marks or Confidential Information are not subject to mandatory mediation.
If mediation does not resolve the dispute, the matter must be submitted for arbitration, subject to relevant state law. The mediation and arbitration proceedings will take place at the American Arbitration Association (AAA) offices located in the city where All Dogs Unleashed's principal business office is located at the time of the mediation or arbitration. For any other legal proceedings, the venue will be the courts in the county where All Dogs Unleashed maintains its principal business office, subject to applicable state law.
The franchise agreement specifies that the laws of the State of Texas govern disputes, without regard to its conflict of law rules, but this is also subject to applicable state law. This means that while Texas law generally applies, state laws may override certain provisions depending on the franchisee's location. Prospective franchisees should be aware of these dispute resolution steps and understand the circumstances under which mediation is required versus when other legal actions may be pursued directly.