What is the first step in the alternative dispute resolution procedure for Amerispec Inspection Services?
Amerispec_Inspection_Services Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- 21.1.1 Informal Negotiation.
To initiate the dispute resolution process, the party alleging a Covered Dispute must provide the other party with written notice setting forth the alleged Covered Dispute in detail and requesting a meeting (the "Dispute Notice").
Each Covered Dispute must be discussed in a face-to-face meeting or, upon agreement of the parties, in a video or telephone conference call held within thirty (30) days after such Dispute Notice is provided to the other party.
Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, the party initiating the process must wait at least thirty (30) days after the Dispute Notice has been delivered to the other party before submitting the dispute to mediation.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 47–172)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Amerispec Inspection Services's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the initial step in the alternative dispute resolution process involves informal negotiation. To begin this process, the party who is claiming that there is a dispute must provide written notice to the other party. This notice, called the "Dispute Notice," must detail the alleged dispute and request a meeting to discuss the issue.
Following the Dispute Notice, a face-to-face meeting, or a video or telephone conference call if both parties agree, must be held within 30 days of the notice. The goal of this meeting is to discuss the covered dispute and attempt to resolve it informally.
Unless both parties agree to a different timeline, the party that initiated the dispute resolution process must wait at least 30 days after delivering the Dispute Notice before moving on to mediation. This waiting period allows time for the informal negotiation to potentially resolve the issue before escalating to the next stage.