What is the exclusive jurisdiction and venue for any dispute related to the Bw Premier Collection agreement?

According to Bw Premier Collection's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the exclusive jurisdiction and venue for any dispute is Maricopa County, Arizona, and Arizona law will apply. This means that any legal disputes arising from the franchise agreement must be resolved in the courts located in Maricopa County, Arizona, and will be governed by Arizona state law.

However, there are exceptions to this general rule. For franchisees in Rhode Island, the FDD states that to the extent required by applicable law, Rhode Island law will apply to claims arising under the Rhode Island Franchise Investment Act. Franchisees in Rhode Island may bring an action in Rhode Island for claims arising under the Rhode Island Franchise Investment Act, regardless of the venue specified in the franchise agreement. Similarly, for franchisees in Washington, the provisions of the Washington Franchise Investment Protection Act may prevail in the event of a conflict of laws. In any arbitration or mediation involving a franchise purchased in Washington, the arbitration or mediation site will be either in the state of Washington, or in a place mutually agreed upon at the time of the arbitration or mediation, or as determined by the arbitrator or mediator at the time of arbitration or mediation.

These stipulations regarding jurisdiction and venue are important for prospective franchisees to consider. Franchise agreements often include clauses specifying the jurisdiction and venue for dispute resolution, which can significantly impact the cost and convenience of resolving legal issues. The fact that Bw Premier Collection specifies Maricopa County, Arizona, could mean increased travel and legal expenses for franchisees located outside of Arizona. However, the riders for Rhode Island and Washington provide some protection for franchisees in those states, allowing them to pursue claims under their respective state franchise laws in their home states.