Is mediation mandatory for disputes with Crawlspace Medic?

According to Crawlspace Medic's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, mediation is not mandatory. The FDD states that claims that are not resolved internally may be submitted to non-binding mediation only at Crawlspace Medic's headquarters in Columbia, SC, and only at Crawlspace Medic's option.

This means that if a dispute arises between a franchisee and Crawlspace Medic, the franchisee cannot force Crawlspace Medic to participate in mediation. Crawlspace Medic has the sole discretion to decide whether or not to submit the dispute to non-binding mediation.

Furthermore, if Crawlspace Medic chooses mediation, it will take place at their headquarters in South Carolina, which may require the franchisee to travel and incur additional expenses. The mediation is also non-binding, meaning that even if an agreement is reached during mediation, Crawlspace Medic is not obligated to abide by it. This arrangement favors Crawlspace Medic, as they control whether mediation occurs and where it takes place, and they are not bound by the outcome. Franchisees should be aware of this provision and consider the potential costs and limitations of dispute resolution with Crawlspace Medic.