Where will arbitration or mediation take place for a Cinnabon franchise purchased in Washington?
Cinnabon Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Site of Arbitration, Mediation, and/or Litigation.** 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.
In addition, if litigation is not precluded by the franchise agreement, a franchisee may bring an action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with the sale of franchises, or a violation of the Washington Franchise Investment Protection Act, in Washington.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 114–399)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Cinnabon Franchise Disclosure Document, if a Cinnabon franchise is purchased in Washington, the arbitration or mediation site will be in Washington state. However, the location can be a place mutually agreed upon 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 Agreement, which takes precedence if the offer to sell the franchise is accepted in Washington, the purchaser is a resident of Washington, or the franchised business is to be located or operated in Washington. This addendum modifies the Franchise Disclosure Document and all related agreements, regardless of any conflicting information in those documents.
Additionally, the FDD states that if litigation is not precluded by the franchise agreement, a franchisee in Washington may bring an action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with the sale of franchises, or a violation of the Washington Franchise Investment Protection Act, in Washington. This provides an additional layer of protection and legal recourse for franchisees operating in Washington.