For what actions related to the Annex Brands agreement do the parties consent to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of federal and state courts in San Diego County, California?

According to Annex Brands' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the parties involved in the franchise agreement consent to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of federal and state courts located in San Diego County, California, for specific actions. These actions include any legal process to compel arbitration, to enforce the arbitrator's award, or to seek temporary, interim, or provisional equitable remedies before the arbitrator is officially appointed. This means that while disputes are generally resolved through arbitration, certain preliminary or enforcement actions can be pursued in the San Diego courts.

This clause provides Annex Brands with a venue to address certain legal matters related to the franchise agreement. It allows Annex Brands to ensure compliance with the arbitration process and to enforce any decisions made by the arbitrator. The franchisee also benefits from this clause, as it ensures that they can seek legal remedies if Annex Brands fails to comply with the arbitration agreement or the arbitrator's award.

For a prospective Annex Brands franchisee, this means that while most disputes will be handled through arbitration, they may find themselves in San Diego County courts for issues related to compelling arbitration, enforcing arbitration awards, or seeking temporary equitable remedies. This is an important consideration, as it may require them to engage legal counsel in California and potentially travel to San Diego for court proceedings. The franchisee also consents to service of process via certified mail or other legally accepted methods, which means they can be officially notified of legal actions even if they are not physically present in California.