Does the Circle K franchise agreement specify any alternative dispute resolution methods?

Based on the 2025 Circle K Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchise agreement outlines the forum and choice of law in the event of a dispute. Specifically, litigation will occur in a state or federal court located in the county where Circle K's corporate headquarters are located at the time of the dispute, although this is subject to state law. The franchise agreement also specifies that Arizona law applies, but this is also subject to state law.

Notably, the provided excerpts from the 2025 FDD do not mention any requirements or processes for alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods such as mediation or arbitration. It appears that Circle K franchisees are expected to resolve disputes through the court system.

Prospective Circle K franchisees should be aware that they may be required to litigate disputes in Arizona, regardless of where their franchise is located, and should factor in the potential costs and inconvenience of this arrangement. Franchisees should consult with legal counsel to understand the implications of these provisions and to explore whether alternative dispute resolution methods could be negotiated or utilized outside of the franchise agreement.

Given the absence of mandatory ADR, a prospective franchisee might want to discuss with Circle K the possibility of including mediation or arbitration as a first step in resolving disagreements, which could potentially save time and money compared to litigation.