If litigation arises from the Degree Wellness Release, where must the court action be filed?

According to Degree Wellness's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, any litigation or court action arising from or related to the Release must be filed in a state or federal court located in Duvall, Florida. This clause specifies the venue for legal disputes related to the Release, ensuring that both Degree Wellness and the franchisee know where to expect any legal proceedings to take place.

This requirement means that if a franchisee wishes to sue Degree Wellness regarding the Release, they must do so in the specified courts in Florida, regardless of where the franchisee's business is located. This could increase the franchisee's legal costs due to travel and potentially hiring local counsel. Conversely, Degree Wellness would also be bound to the same venue if they initiated legal action against a franchisee under the Release.

Such clauses are common in franchise agreements as they provide predictability and can streamline legal proceedings for the franchisor. Prospective franchisees should consider the implications of this venue clause, especially if they are located far from Florida, and factor in the potential added expense and inconvenience of litigating in that jurisdiction.