Where must disputes with Apricot Lane be resolved through arbitration or mediation?
Apricot_Lane Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
| PROVISION | SECTION IN FRANCHISE AGREEMENT | SUMMARY |
|---|---|---|
| r. Non-competition covenants after the franchise is terminated or expires | Section 17.B in Franchise Agreement | For 2 years after expiration or termination for any reason, you may not own or be involved in competing business within your former Territory or within 10 miles of any other Store. (Subject to state law.) |
| s. Modification of the | Sections 23.E in | Franchise Agreement may not be amended |
| agreement | Franchise Agreement | except in writing and agreed to by both parties. |
| t. Integration/merger clause | Section 23.E in Franchise Agreement | Only terms of Franchise Agreement are binding (subject to state law). Any representations or promises outside of the disclosure document and franchise agreement may not be enforceable. |
| u. Dispute resolution by | 22.A | All disputes subject to arbitration in Solano, |
| arbitration or mediation | County, California, subject to state law. | |
| v. Choice of forum | Section 22.C in Franchise Agreement | Subject to arbitration requirement, litigation must be in California. (Subject to state law) Federal, state, and local courts located in the county or judicial district in which COUNTRY VISIONS maintains its principal offices at the time of litigation (currently, Fairfield, California) |
| w. Choice of law | Section 22.B | Except for Federal Arbitration Act and other federal law, the laws of the state in which in which the Apricot Lane franchised business is operating under the Franchise Agreement. |
Source: Item 19 — FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE REPRESENTATIONS (FDD pages 39–41)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Apricot Lane's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, all disputes are subject to arbitration in Solano County, California. This is according to Section 22.A of the franchise agreement. This requirement is subject to state law.
Subject to the arbitration requirement, any litigation must occur in California, specifically in the federal, state, and local courts located in the county or judicial district where Country Visions, Inc. (Apricot Lane's parent company) maintains its principal offices at the time of litigation. Currently, these offices are located in Fairfield, California, as stated in Section 22.C of the franchise agreement. This is also subject to state law.
The FDD also specifies that the laws governing the franchise agreement are those of the state in which the Apricot Lane franchised business is operating, except for the Federal Arbitration Act and other federal laws. This is detailed in Section 22.B of the franchise agreement.