Is it permissible to join or consolidate arbitration claims with other franchisees in Hck Hot Chicken disputes?

According to Hck Hot Chicken's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, all arbitration proceedings and claims must be filed and prosecuted separately and individually. This means a franchisee cannot participate in a class action or representative capacity, nor can they join or consolidate their claims with those of other franchisees. Each franchisee must pursue their claims independently.

This requirement for individual arbitration has significant implications for prospective Hck Hot Chicken franchisees. It prevents franchisees from collectively addressing issues with the franchisor, potentially increasing the cost and complexity of resolving disputes. Franchisees may face challenges in accessing resources and expertise compared to a class action scenario.

This clause is generally unfavorable for franchisees, as it limits their collective bargaining power and increases the financial burden of resolving disputes. While individual arbitration can offer a quicker resolution than traditional litigation, the prohibition against joining claims can be a disadvantage when multiple franchisees face similar issues with Hck Hot Chicken.