Does the Dog Haus franchise agreement specify the county in California where proceedings will be held?
Dog_Haus Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
| Section In | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Franchise | |||
| Agreement | |||
| (Exhibit A) and | |||
| in Remote | |||
| Kitchen | |||
| Addendum | |||
| Provision | (Exhibit C) | Summary | |
| s. | Modification of the | Franchise | The Franchise Agreement can be modified or amended only by |
| agreement | Agreement | written agreement of all of the parties. The Manuals are subject | |
| Sections 6.5 and | to change at any time. You must comply with any changes set | ||
| 21.5; Remote | forth in the Manuals. Remote Kitchen Addendum can be | ||
| Kitchen | modified or amended only by written agreement of all the | ||
| Addendum | parties. (Remote Kitchen Addendum) | ||
| Section 9.2 | |||
| t. | Integration/ merger | Franchise | Only the terms of the Franchise Agreement and other related |
| clause | Agreement | written agreements are binding (subject to applicable state law). | |
| Section 21.5; | Any | ||
| representations or | |||
| promises | |||
| outside | |||
| the disclosure | |||
| Remote Kitchen | document and franchise agreement may not be enforceable. | ||
| Addendum | Only the terms of the Franchise Agreement and Remote Kitchen | ||
| Section 9.2; | Addendum and its exhibits are binding (subject to applicable | ||
| state law). No other representations or promises will be binding. | |||
| (Remote Kitchen Addendum) | |||
| u. | Dispute resolution by | Franchise | You agree to attempt any dispute first by mediation, which will |
| arbitration or | Agreement | occur in Los Angeles, California. Mediation must be completed | |
| mediation | Sections 19.1 | within 45 days following the date either party first gives notice | |
| and 19.2 | of mediation, unless otherwise agreed in writing. The fees and | ||
| expenses of the mediator will be shared equally by you and us. | |||
| If the parties cannot resolve and settle the dispute through | |||
| mediations, all unresolved claims between you and us will be | |||
| submitted to binding arbitration, which will occur in Los | |||
| Angeles, California. The fees and expenses of the arbitrator will | |||
| be shared equally by you and us. | |||
| (subject to applicable state law) | |||
| v. | Choice of forum | Franchise | All proceedings will be held in Los Angeles County, California, |
| Agreement | subject to applicable state law. See the State Specific Addenda | ||
| Section 19.3 | (Exhibit H) attached to this Disclosure Document. |
Source: Item 17 — RENEWAL, TERMINATION, TRANSFER AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION THE FRANCHISE RELATIONSHIP (FDD pages 63–72)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Dog Haus's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, all proceedings pertaining to disputes will be held in Los Angeles County, California. This is specified in Section 19.3 of the Franchise Agreement. This clause is subject to applicable state law, and further details can be found in the State Specific Addenda (Exhibit H) attached to the FDD.
This means that if a Dog Haus franchisee has a legal dispute with the franchisor, whether it involves mediation, arbitration, or court proceedings, the venue for these proceedings will be in Los Angeles County, California. This is a standard clause in franchise agreements, as it establishes a clear and predictable location for resolving disputes. Franchisees should be aware of this requirement, as it may involve travel and associated costs if the franchisee's business is located outside of Los Angeles County.
It is important for prospective franchisees to review Exhibit H, the State Specific Addenda, to understand any modifications or exceptions to this clause based on their specific state laws. The choice of forum and choice of law provisions are significant because they determine where disputes will be resolved and under which jurisdiction's laws. This can impact the cost and complexity of resolving any potential legal issues with Dog Haus.