For a Bonchon franchise purchased in Washington, where will the arbitration or mediation site be located?

According to Bonchon's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, for any arbitration or mediation involving a franchise purchased in Washington, the location for such proceedings will be in Washington state. However, there are two exceptions to this rule. The first exception is that the location can be a place mutually agreed upon by both parties at the time of the arbitration or mediation. The second exception is that the arbitrator or mediator can determine the location at the time of the arbitration or mediation.

This stipulation is part of a broader Washington Addendum to the Franchise Agreement, which takes precedence over any conflicting terms in the standard agreement. This addendum ensures that franchisees in Washington receive the protections afforded to them under Washington state law, particularly the Washington Franchise Investment Protection Act.

This means that a Bonchon franchisee in Washington has some assurance that disputes can be resolved within the state, which can reduce travel costs and logistical challenges. However, franchisees should be aware that the final decision on the location could depend on negotiations or the discretion of the arbitrator or mediator.