Where will mediation occur for disputes involving a Dog Haus franchise?
Dog_Haus Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
| | 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. | | w. | Choice of law | Franchise | California, subject to the exception provided in Section 19.3 of | | | | Agreement | the Franchise Agreement and applicable state law. | | | | Section 19.3 | See the State Specific Addenda (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, mediation will occur in Los Angeles, California. The FDD specifies that franchisees agree to attempt to resolve any dispute through mediation before pursuing arbitration. This mediation must be completed within 45 days from the date either party gives notice, unless both parties agree otherwise in writing.
The costs associated with the mediator are to be shared equally between Dog Haus and the franchisee. If mediation does not successfully resolve the dispute, any unresolved claims will be submitted to binding arbitration, which will also take place in Los Angeles, California, with the arbitrator's fees and expenses similarly split equally between both parties.
The FDD also states that all proceedings will be held in Los Angeles County, California, and that California law governs the Franchise Agreement, subject to certain exceptions and applicable state laws. Franchisees should also refer to the State Specific Addenda (Exhibit H) for any specific state law variations.