For Auntie Annes franchises purchased in Washington, where will the arbitration site be located?

According to Auntie Annes' 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, for any arbitration involving a franchise purchased in Washington, the arbitration site will be located either in Washington, in a place mutually agreed upon at the time of arbitration, or as determined by the arbitrator. This stipulation is part of the Washington Addendum to the Franchise Agreement, acknowledging the requirements of the Washington Franchise Investment Protection Act.

This means that if a dispute arises that leads to arbitration, an Auntie Annes franchisee in Washington has a higher likelihood of having the arbitration take place within their state. This can reduce travel costs and logistical challenges compared to arbitrating in another state, such as the franchisor's home state.

The final location will depend on either a mutual agreement between the franchisee and Auntie Annes or the arbitrator's decision. This provides some flexibility but also introduces uncertainty, as the franchisee cannot be certain where the arbitration will occur until the time of the dispute.