What is the initial step required if a dispute arises between Expense Reduction Analysts and a franchisee?
Expense_Reduction_Analysts Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
28. DISPUTES
28.1 Dispute Resolution
- (1) If a dispute arises between parties to this Agreement, the provisions of this Section 29 apply.
- (2) You must first bring any claim or dispute between You and the Franchisor to the Franchisor's management and make every effort to resolve the dispute internally. You must exhaust this internal dispute resolution procedure before You may bring Your dispute before a third party. This agreement to first attempt resolution of disputes internally shall survive termination or expiration of this Agreement.
- (3) You must tell the Franchisor in writing the nature of the dispute, what outcome You want and what action You think will settle the dispute.
- (4) You must then agree to clearly communicate the background facts leading to or causing the dispute, set out clearly what action is required to settle the dispute, select a way of resolving the dispute and explain why that way of resolving the dispute can be said to be a fair resolution of the dispute and identify, if the dispute is resolved, how the resolution of the dispute has or could enhance the business relationship between the parties for the future, particularly by identifying specific means of avoiding similar disputes arising between the parties in the future.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 58–215)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Expense Reduction Analysts' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, if a dispute arises between a franchisee and Expense Reduction Analysts, the franchisee must first bring the claim or dispute to the attention of Expense Reduction Analysts' management. The franchisee is expected to make every effort to resolve the dispute internally with the franchisor.
This internal dispute resolution procedure must be exhausted before the franchisee can take the dispute to a third party. This requirement to attempt internal resolution survives any termination or expiration of the franchise agreement.
As part of this initial step, the franchisee must inform Expense Reduction Analysts in writing about the nature of the dispute, the desired outcome, and the actions believed necessary to settle the dispute. The franchisee must also clearly communicate the background facts, propose a fair method for resolving the dispute, and explain how the resolution could enhance the future business relationship between the parties, including specific measures to prevent similar disputes.