Does an Hck Hot Chicken franchisee waive the right to a trial by jury?
Hck_Hot_Chicken Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
| Provision | Agreement | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| v. Choice of forum | Sections 18.2 and 19.14 | Except for certain claims and subject to state law, you and we agree |
| that the principal city closest to our principal place of business | ||
| (currently Sarasota, FL) will be the venue for any arbitration under | ||
| the Franchise Agreement, and you and we both waive the right to | ||
| a trial by jury. Subject to applicable state law, arbitration and | ||
| litigation must be in the principal city closest to our principal place | ||
| of business (currently Sarasota, FL). |
Source: Item 17 — RENEWAL, TERMINATIONS, TRANSFER, AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION (FDD pages 44–51)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Hck Hot Chicken's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees do waive the right to a trial by jury. The FDD states that, except for certain claims and subject to state law, both Hck Hot Chicken and the franchisee agree that the principal city closest to Hck Hot Chicken's principal place of business will be the venue for any arbitration under the Franchise Agreement. Hck Hot Chicken's principal place of business is currently Sarasota, FL.
This waiver means that any disputes arising under the Franchise Agreement will be resolved through arbitration or litigation in Sarasota, FL, and neither party can demand a jury trial. This is a significant legal consideration for prospective franchisees, as it limits their options for resolving disputes and may require them to travel to Florida for arbitration or litigation.
It is important for potential Hck Hot Chicken franchisees to understand the implications of waiving their right to a jury trial and to consider whether the location of the forum (Sarasota, FL) is convenient for them. Franchisees should seek legal counsel to fully understand their rights and obligations under the Franchise Agreement.