For a Carvel franchise purchased in Washington, where will arbitration or mediation take place?

According to Carvel's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, if a franchisee purchases a Carvel franchise in Washington, the arbitration or mediation site will be in the state of Washington. However, the location can change if both parties mutually agree to a different location at the time of the arbitration or mediation. The arbitrator or mediator can also determine the location at the time of arbitration or mediation.

This stipulation is part of the Washington Addendum to the Franchise Disclosure Document, Franchise Agreement, and all related agreements. The addendum modifies these documents and applies if the offer to sell a franchise is accepted in Washington, the purchaser is a Washington resident, or the franchised business is to be located or operated in Washington.

This clause ensures that Carvel franchisees in Washington are not forced to travel to a distant location for dispute resolution, which could be a significant financial and logistical burden. It provides a more accessible and potentially fairer process for resolving conflicts. Franchisees should note that while the default location is Washington, there is room for negotiation or arbitrator discretion, so the final location may vary.