What information from a Hydrodog arbitration hearing is considered confidential?

According to Hydrodog's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, any information presented in an arbitration proceeding can be disclosed or used in a subsequent court hearing brought by either the franchisee or Hydrodog. This means that while arbitration proceedings themselves might have confidentiality aspects, there is no restriction on using information from the arbitration in later court actions related to the franchise agreement.

This clause is significant for prospective franchisees because it clarifies the extent to which information shared during arbitration remains private. Unlike some franchise systems where arbitration outcomes and details are strictly confidential, Hydrodog's agreement allows for transparency if the dispute escalates to court. This could influence a franchisee's strategy during arbitration, knowing that sensitive information might later be revealed in a public court setting.

It's important for potential Hydrodog franchisees to understand that while arbitration aims to resolve disputes efficiently, the information disclosed isn't necessarily protected from future use in court. Franchisees should consider this when deciding what information to share during arbitration and be prepared for the possibility of that information becoming part of a public record if litigation ensues.