Is it mandatory for the parties to meet before proceeding to mediation for a Carbones Pizzeria dispute?
Carbones_Pizzeria Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Except for matters for which a party is permitted to seek equitable or injunctive relief under this Agreement, the parties agree that the following procedure shall be used to resolve any dispute between them:
- a. The President of Franchisor and/or one other designated representative of Franchisor, shall meet with the Franchisee, if the Franchisee is an individual, or if the Franchisee is a business entity, the President of the Franchisee, within ten (10) days of a written request by either party for such a meeting.
The party requesting the meeting shall set forth in detail the nature of the dispute.
- b. If the dispute is not resolved through the foregoing meeting, the parties agree to submit their dispute to mediation in Hennepin County, Minnesota, with a mutually agreed upon mediator.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 30–116)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Carbones Pizzeria Franchise Disclosure Document, before entering mediation, the President of Carbones Pizzeria or another designated representative must meet with the franchisee (or the franchisee's president, if the franchisee is a business entity). This meeting must occur within ten days of a written request from either party and the party requesting the meeting must detail the nature of the dispute in writing.
This initial meeting is a mandatory step in the dispute resolution process, designed to facilitate direct communication and potentially resolve the issue before escalating to mediation. If this meeting fails to resolve the dispute, the parties then proceed to mediation in Hennepin County, Minnesota.
This requirement for a preliminary meeting reflects an effort to encourage open dialogue and early resolution of conflicts, potentially saving both parties time and resources. Franchisees should be prepared to engage in this initial meeting and clearly articulate their concerns, as it is a prerequisite to further dispute resolution steps like mediation.