Where can Chicken Guy file suit against a developer?
Chicken_Guy Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Subject to Section 22.B. above and the provisions below, the parties agree that Developer shall file any suit against Chicken Guy only in the federal or state court having jurisdiction where Chicken Guy's principal offices are located at the time suit is filed.
Chicken Guy may file suit in the federal or state court located in the jurisdiction where its principal offices are located at the time suit is filed or in the jurisdiction where Developer resides or does business or where the Franchised Restaurant is or was located or where the claim arose.
Developer consents to the personal jurisdiction of those courts over Developer and to venue in those courts.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 50–286)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Chicken Guy's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Chicken Guy has options regarding where to file a lawsuit against a developer. Chicken Guy can file suit in the federal or state court located in the jurisdiction where its principal offices are located at the time the suit is filed. Alternatively, Chicken Guy can file suit in the jurisdiction where the developer resides or does business. Chicken Guy can also file suit where the Franchised Restaurant is or was located or where the claim arose.
This provides Chicken Guy with flexibility in choosing a venue that is most convenient or advantageous for them. The developer consents to the personal jurisdiction of those courts and to venue in those courts. This means the developer agrees to be subject to the authority of those courts and that the location of the lawsuit is proper.
It's important to note that this is subject to Section 22.B of the agreement, which discusses arbitration. If a dispute is subject to arbitration, then the lawsuit would not be filed in court but would instead be resolved through arbitration as detailed in Section 22.B.