Where will arbitration proceedings be conducted for disputes involving Big Blue Swim School?

According to the 2025 Big Blue Swim School Franchise Disclosure Document, while Illinois law governs the Franchise Agreement, any provision designating jurisdiction and venue outside of Illinois is void, as per Section 4 of the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act. However, the franchise agreement may stipulate that arbitration can occur outside of Illinois. This means that while lawsuits must be filed in Illinois, Big Blue Swim School could require arbitration to take place in a different state.

This is a critical point for prospective franchisees to understand. Although the franchise agreement is governed by Illinois law, Big Blue Swim School retains the right to specify an out-of-state location for arbitration. Arbitration typically involves a less formal process than court litigation, but it can still be costly, requiring travel and legal representation.

For a potential Big Blue Swim School franchisee, this clause means they might have to travel to another state to resolve disputes through arbitration. It is important to clarify with Big Blue Swim School where these arbitration proceedings would likely take place and to factor in the potential costs and inconveniences associated with out-of-state arbitration when evaluating the franchise opportunity.