If litigation is filed regarding an excepted dispute with Cinnabon, in which court must it be filed?
Cinnabon Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Excepted Disputes will not be resolved through arbitration unless Lessor consents to arbitration.
Excepted Disputes will be filed exclusively in any court of general jurisdiction in Fulton County, Georgia, in the United States District Court of the
Northern District of Georgia, or such other court where Lessor has its principal place of business at the time of filing, and Lessee irrevocably consents to such court's jurisdiction over it.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 114–399)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Cinnabon's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, litigation regarding excepted disputes must be filed in specific courts. These excepted disputes do not go through arbitration unless Cinnabon consents to it.
Specifically, such litigation must be filed exclusively in any court of general jurisdiction in Fulton County, Georgia, the United States District Court of the Northern District of Georgia, or another court where Cinnabon has its principal place of business at the time of filing.
Furthermore, the document states that the franchisee irrevocably consents to the jurisdiction of these courts. This means a Cinnabon franchisee agrees to be subject to the authority of these courts for any litigation regarding excepted disputes.