If litigation arises under the excepted disputes for Carvel, in which court will it be filed?

According to the 2025 Carvel Franchise Disclosure Document, litigation regarding "excepted disputes" will be filed in a specific court. These disputes, which Carvel does not resolve through arbitration unless they consent, include those related to the Lanham Act, intellectual property ownership/validity, enforcement of intellectual property rights/protection of confidential information/trade secrets, or payment of sums owed to Carvel or its affiliates.

Carvel specifies that any litigation falling under these "excepted disputes" must be filed exclusively in the United States District Court. The specific district will be the one in which Carvel has its principal place of business at the time the litigation is filed.

Furthermore, as a prospective Carvel franchisee, you would irrevocably consent to that court's jurisdiction over you, meaning you agree to be subject to the court's authority in that district. This is a significant point for potential franchisees to consider, as it dictates the location and legal framework for resolving certain types of disputes with Carvel.