In what courts can a judgment upon an arbitration award be entered against Aw franchise?

According to Aw's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a judgment upon an arbitration award may be entered in the courts of Cook County, Illinois, in the court of any jurisdiction in which the franchisee is located, or in any other court having jurisdiction. This means that if Aw and a franchisee engage in arbitration, and the arbitrator makes an award, that award can be legally enforced by a court in any of those locations.

For a prospective Aw franchisee, this is important because it clarifies where Aw can pursue legal action to enforce an arbitration award. The franchisee could be sued in Cook County, Illinois, regardless of where their franchise is located. Alternatively, Aw could pursue legal action in the franchisee's local jurisdiction, which might be more convenient for the franchisee.

However, if the franchisee is located in Illinois, the Illinois Addendum to the Franchise Disclosure Document modifies the jurisdiction. Specifically, claims arising under the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act of 1987 must be brought in a court in the state of Illinois with subject matter and personal jurisdiction in the particular matter. This addendum ensures that franchisees in Illinois have the right to resolve disputes related to the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act within the state's legal system.