In which county and state must venue be exclusively held for disputes related to the Basecamp Fitness agreement?

[Item 17: RENEWAL, TERMINATION, TRANSFER, AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION]

• 1. The Franchise Agreement and Area Development Agreement require application of the laws and forum of Minnesota. This provision may not be enforceable under California law.
• 1. The Franchise Agreement and Area Development Agreement require binding arbitration. The arbitration will occur at the office of the American Arbitration Association located nearest Basecamp Fitness Franchisor LLC's principal offices (currently, Woodbury, Minnesota). You will bear all costs of arbitration if we secure any relief against you in the arbitration, or are successful in defending a claim you bring against us in the arbitration. Prospective franchisees are encouraged to consult private legal counsel to determine the applicability of California and federal laws (such as Business and Professions Code Section 20040.5, Code of Civil Procedure Section 1281, and the Federal Arbitration Act) to any provisions of a franchise agreement restricting venue to a forum outside the State of California.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in the Basecamp Fitness Franchisor LLC Area Development Agreement, the following provisions shall supersede any inconsistent provisions and apply to all Basecamp Fitness franchises offered and sold in the state of Illinois:

• 1. In conformance with Section 4 of the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act, any provision in a franchise agreement that designates jurisdiction and venue in a forum outside of the State of Illinois is void. However, a franchise agreement may provide for arbitration to take place outside of Illinois.
  • 1. Illinois law governs the Area Development Agreement.

Source: Item 17 — RENEWAL, TERMINATION, TRANSFER, AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION (FDD pages 51–55)