For Focus Cfo franchisees in Illinois, where must jurisdiction and venue for court litigation be?
Focus_Cfo Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Any action brought by either party except those claims required to be submitted to arbitration, shall only be brought in the appropriate state court located in or serving Franklin County, Ohio.
The parties waive all questions of personal jurisdiction or venue for the purposes of carrying out this provision.
Claims for injunctive relief may be brought by Focus CFO where Franchisee is located.
This exclusive choice of jurisdiction and venue provision shall not restrict the ability of the parties to confirm or enforce judgments or arbitration awards in any appropriate jurisdiction.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 37–126)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
Based on the 2025 Focus Cfo Franchise Disclosure Document, the standard franchise agreement specifies that any legal action, excluding those requiring arbitration, must be initiated in the appropriate state court located in or serving Franklin County, Ohio. This requirement applies to all franchisees unless an addendum alters this provision for a specific state.
However, the provided FDD excerpts do not contain an addendum that specifically addresses the jurisdiction and venue for Focus Cfo franchisees in Illinois. Therefore, the standard jurisdiction clause requiring litigation in Franklin County, Ohio, would likely apply.
A prospective Focus Cfo franchisee in Illinois should confirm with Focus Cfo whether there are any Illinois-specific addenda or legal requirements that would override the standard jurisdiction clause. It is essential to clarify this point to understand where they may be required to litigate any disputes with Focus Cfo.