What arbitration rules are used by the American Arbitration Association for Apricot Lane franchise disputes?
Apricot_Lane Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
All disputes between FRACHISOR and its affiliates, and their respective owners, officers, directors, agents, and employees, and FRANCHISEE (and/or its owners, guarantors, affiliates, officers, directors, agents, and employees, if applicable) arising out of or related to this Agreement or any provision of this Agreement (including the validity and scope of the arbitration obligation under this Section, which FRACHISOR and FRANCHISEE acknowledge is to be determined by an arbitrator, not a court), any other agreement between FRANCHISOR (or its affiliate) and FRANCHISEE, or any aspect of the relationship between FRANCHISOR and FRANCHISEE, will be determined exclusively by binding arbitration to be conducted by one (1) arbitrator under the then-current commercial arbitration rules of the American Arbitration Association. Arbitration proceedings must be held exclusively in the County in which the headquarters of FRACHISOR is located (which is currently Solano County, California). All matters relating to arbitration will be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act (9 U.S.C. §§ 1 et seq.). Judgment upon the award may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 51–222)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Apricot Lane's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, any disputes arising from the franchise agreement will be settled through binding arbitration. This arbitration will be conducted by a single arbitrator, following the American Arbitration Association's (AAA) then-current commercial arbitration rules.
The arbitration proceedings must take place exclusively in the county where Apricot Lane's headquarters is located, which is currently Solano County, California. The Federal Arbitration Act (9 U.S.C. §§ 1 et seq.) governs all aspects related to the arbitration process. A judgment on the arbitrator's award can be entered in any court that has the authority to handle such matters.
This means that if a franchisee has a dispute with Apricot Lane, they must resolve it through arbitration rather than going to court. The location of the arbitration is fixed in California, which may require franchisees to travel. Franchisees should become familiar with the American Arbitration Association's commercial arbitration rules to understand the process and their rights during arbitration.