Where will arbitration hearings for Bhc franchise disputes typically take place?
Bhc Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- (b) All hearings and other proceedings will take place at the JAMS business location in Los Angeles County, California, or other county where Franchisor's headquarters is then located, or if Franchisor so elects, at the JAMS business location nearest where Franchisee's principal place of business is then located.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 52–230)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bhc's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, arbitration hearings will be held at a JAMS (Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services) business location. The default location is Los Angeles County, California, or the county where Bhc's headquarters is located. However, Bhc has the option to have the hearings at the JAMS location nearest to the franchisee's principal place of business.
This means that a Bhc franchisee may have to travel to Los Angeles County, California for arbitration, unless Bhc elects to hold the hearing closer to the franchisee's business. This could result in significant travel costs and inconvenience for the franchisee. The franchisee should consider this when evaluating the franchise opportunity and negotiating the franchise agreement.
It is typical in franchising for the venue of dispute resolution to be the location of the franchisor's headquarters, as this provides consistency and convenience for the franchisor. However, some franchise agreements may allow for arbitration to take place closer to the franchisee's location, or at a neutral site, to reduce the burden on the franchisee.