Where are Benjamin Franklin Plumbing franchisees required to file lawsuits against the franchisor?
Benjamin_Franklin_Plumbing Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- 23.6. Venue for Litigation.
Franchisee and the Owners are required to file any lawsuit against us only in the federal district court for the district encompassing Columbia, Maryland (or in the closest state court to Columbia, Maryland, if the federal court lacks subject matter jurisdiction).
We may file a lawsuit against Franchisee or the Owners in the federal or state court for Columbia, Maryland or in the federal or state court where the Franchised Business is located.
We have the right to designate headquarters for the Brand at a location other than Columbia, Maryland and to substitute that location for Columbia, Maryland for purposes of this Section.
The parties irrevocably submit to the jurisdiction of such courts and waive all objections to personal jurisdiction and venue for purposes of carrying out this provision.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 88–312)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are required to file any lawsuit against Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in the federal district court for the district encompassing Columbia, Maryland. If the federal court lacks subject matter jurisdiction, the lawsuit must be filed in the closest state court to Columbia, Maryland.
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, however, retains the right to file a lawsuit against a franchisee or the franchisee's owners in the federal or state court for Columbia, Maryland, or in the federal or state court where the franchised business is located. This means Benjamin Franklin Plumbing has more flexibility in choosing the venue for lawsuits they initiate.
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing also has the right to change the designated headquarters location from Columbia, Maryland, to another location for the purposes of determining the venue for litigation. This could impact where franchisees are required to file lawsuits in the future. Both parties irrevocably submit to the jurisdiction of these courts and waive objections to personal jurisdiction and venue.