What is the reference to the location of All States M.E.D. in the document?
All_States_M_E_D Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
| u. Dispute Resolution by Arbitration or Mediation | FA: Section 23.9; Schedules 2 and 3 | You must mediate and arbitrate claims against us (subject to applicable state law). |
|---|---|---|
| v. Choice of Forum | FA: Section 23.2; Schedules 2 and 3 | Any mediation, litigation or arbitration must be pursued where our headquarters are located (subject to applicable state law). |
| w. Choice of Law | FA: Section 23.1; Schedules 2 and 3 | Except as to claims governed by federal law, the law of the state where we are headquartered applies (subject to applicable state law). |
Source: Item 17 — RENEWAL, TERMINATION, TRANSFER, AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION (FDD pages 32–39)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to All States M.E.D.'s 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, any mediation, litigation, or arbitration must be pursued where their headquarters are located, although this is subject to applicable state law. Furthermore, the document states that, except for claims governed by federal law, the law of the state where All States M.E.D. is headquartered will apply, again subject to applicable state law.
This means that if a franchisee has a dispute with All States M.E.D. that results in mediation, litigation, or arbitration, the franchisee may be required to travel to the location of All States M.E.D.'s headquarters. This could involve significant travel expenses and inconvenience for the franchisee. The applicable state law may modify this requirement.
Additionally, the laws of the state where All States M.E.D. is headquartered will generally govern the franchise agreement, which could be different from the laws of the state where the franchisee's business is located. This could create complexities for the franchisee in understanding their rights and obligations under the franchise agreement. Prospective franchisees should consult with a legal professional to understand the implications of these provisions.