Where will arbitration or mediation take place for a City Wide franchise purchased in Washington?
City_Wide Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
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- 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 a the time of the arbitration or mediation, or as determined by the arbitrator or mediator at the time of the arbitration or mediation.
In addition, if litigation is not precluded by the franchise agreement, a franchisee my bring actions 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 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 65)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to City Wide's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, for a franchise purchased in Washington, the arbitration or mediation site will be in Washington state. However, the location can also 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 the arbitration or mediation.
This means that if a City Wide franchisee in Washington has a dispute with the company that goes to arbitration or mediation, the proceedings will generally take place within the state. This can save the franchisee travel costs and make it easier to participate in the process. However, there is flexibility, as the parties can agree to a different location, or the arbitrator/mediator can decide.
It's important to note that if litigation is not precluded by the franchise agreement, a franchisee can bring actions or proceedings arising out of the sale of franchises, or a violation of the Washington Franchise Investment Protection Act, in Washington.