Where will the mediation with Bft take place?
Bft Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
C. Mediation.Except as provided in Section 12.E below, the Parties agree to submit any claim or dispute that they are unable to resolve informally, as described in Section 12.B above, to mediation to be conducted by JAMS using its then-current mediation rules and procedures (see www.jamsadr.com/mediation) and to take place at Franchisor's or, as applicable, Franchisor's successor's or assign's, then-current principal place of business (currently, Irvine, California), or via a videoconferencing platform, if both Parties agree.
Each Party will bear its own costs in participating in the mediation, and Franchisor and Developer will share JAMS' and the mediator's fees and costs equally.
Neither Party will be required to mediate for more than one (1) day.
Source: Item 17 — RENEWAL, TERMINATION, TRANSFER AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION (FDD pages 57–66)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bft's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, if a dispute cannot be resolved informally, mediation will be conducted by JAMS (Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services). The mediation will follow JAMS' current rules and procedures, which can be found on their website.
The location for the mediation will be at Bft's principal place of business, which is currently in Irvine, California. However, the FDD stipulates that if both parties agree, the mediation can also take place via a videoconferencing platform.
Each party is responsible for their own costs related to participating in the mediation. Bft and the developer will equally share the fees and costs charged by JAMS and the mediator. The FDD also specifies that neither party is required to participate in mediation for more than one day.