In the event of a legal dispute, is the prevailing party in a Hydrodog Franchise Agreement entitled to reimbursement of attorney's fees?
Hydrodog Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
, indirectly, or through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, such person, and includes any subsidiaries or other entities that are beneficially owned by such person or its affiliates.
- (c) The term "attorney's fees" means any and all charges levied by an attorney for his services, including time charges, expenses and other reasonable fees including paralegal fees and legal assistant fees, and includes fees earned in settlement, at trial, on appeal or in bankruptcy proceedings.
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- Attorneys' Fees. In any action or dispute, at law or in equity, that may arise under or otherwise relate to this Agreement, the prevailing party will be entitled to full reimbursement of its litigation or arbitration expenses from the other party. Litigation or arbitration expenses include attorneys' fees, costs, arbitration fees, expert witness fees and other related expenses including paralegal fees, travel and lodging expenses and court and arbitration filing costs. Reimbursement is due within 30 days of written notice after determination.
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- Governing Law. This Agreement is governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state where the Franchisor's principal place of business is located, without regard to its conflict of laws principles.
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- Third Party Beneficiary. The parties understand and acknowledge that the Franchisor is a direct and intended beneficiary of the terms of this Agreement and, at its option, may enforce the provisions of this Agreement against you.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 43–166)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Hydrodog's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the prevailing party in a legal or arbitration proceeding may be entitled to reimbursement of costs and expenses. Specifically, if a claim for amounts owed by the franchisee to Hydrodog or its affiliates is asserted, or if either party is required to enforce the Franchise Agreement in a legal or arbitration proceeding, the prevailing party can receive reimbursement.
These reimbursable costs and expenses include reasonable accounting and attorneys' fees, expert witness fees, court costs, and other litigation expenses. The attorneys' fees cover reasonable legal fees charged by attorneys, paralegal fees, and costs and disbursements, whether incurred before, during, or in preparation for any legal action to enforce the obligations under the Franchise Agreement.
Additionally, in any action or dispute related to the Franchise Agreement, the prevailing party is entitled to full reimbursement of its litigation or arbitration expenses from the other party. These expenses include attorneys' fees, costs, arbitration fees, expert witness fees, paralegal fees, travel and lodging expenses, and court and arbitration filing costs. Reimbursement is due within 30 days of written notice after the determination of the prevailing party.