Does a Healthsource Chiropractic franchisee irrevocably submit to the jurisdiction of state or federal court of general jurisdiction in Lorain County, Ohio?

According to the 2025 Healthsource Chiropractic Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee agrees that the venue for any action arising out of or relating to the Franchise Agreement (which is not required to be arbitrated or as to which arbitration is waived) will be in any state or federal court of general jurisdiction in Lorain County, Ohio, unless otherwise mutually agreed by the parties in writing. The franchisee irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of those courts and waives any objection to the jurisdiction or venue of such court.

This means that if a Healthsource Chiropractic franchisee has a legal dispute with the franchisor that is not subject to arbitration, the lawsuit must be filed in Lorain County, Ohio. This applies regardless of where the franchisee's business is located. The franchisee consents to the jurisdiction of the courts in Lorain County and waives the right to object to that location.

This clause is fairly common in franchise agreements, as it allows the franchisor to manage legal disputes in a location convenient for them, typically their home state. However, it could create additional expenses and logistical challenges for a Healthsource Chiropractic franchisee who lives and operates their business far from Ohio, as they would need to travel to Ohio for court proceedings and potentially hire local counsel.