Where will arbitration proceedings be conducted if Bambu is a party to the dispute?
Bambu Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
If Bambu is a party to any controversy, dispute or claim, such arbitration proceedings shall be conducted in Denver, Colorado, U.S.A., will be submitted to either the Judicial Arbiter Group or the American Arbitration Association ("AAA"), as selected by the party submitting the arbitration demand, and will be heard by one arbitrator in accordance with the then current rules of AAA applicable to commercial arbitration.
The arbitrator shall be a resident of the State of Colorado, U.S.A. knowledgeable of Colorado law and fluent in English.
The arbitration proceeding and all other hearings shall be conducted in English only, although Associate shall have the right, at Associate's option and sole expense, to have a translator present at the proceeding or other hearings.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 52–209)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bambu's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, if Bambu is a party to a controversy, dispute, or claim, the arbitration proceedings will be conducted in Denver, Colorado, U.S.A. The proceedings will be submitted to either the Judicial Arbiter Group or the American Arbitration Association (AAA), as selected by the party submitting the arbitration demand. A single arbitrator will hear the case in accordance with the then-current rules of the AAA applicable to commercial arbitration.
The arbitrator must be a resident of the State of Colorado, U.S.A., knowledgeable of Colorado law, and fluent in English. The arbitration proceedings and all other hearings will be conducted in English only. However, the Associate (likely referring to an individual associated with the franchisee) has the right, at their own expense, to have a translator present during the proceedings or other hearings.
This clause ensures that any disputes involving Bambu are resolved in a specific location (Denver, Colorado) and under a defined set of rules (AAA or JAG). This provides predictability for both Bambu and its franchisees. The requirement for the arbitrator to be knowledgeable in Colorado law is also significant, as it ensures that the arbitrator is familiar with the legal framework governing the franchise agreement. The provision for translation services, while at the Associate's expense, acknowledges the potential need for language assistance.