Who is unconditionally agreeing and submitting to personal jurisdiction in the State of Florida in connection with any arbitration hearings under this Hydrodog Agreement?
Hydrodog Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- 21.4 Venue and Jurisdiction.
All arbitration hearings will take place exclusively in Hillsborough County, Florida, or at such other location as we may designate in our sole discretion, and will be held no later than ninety (90) days after the Arbitrators have been selected.
You, we, and our respective officers, directors, Owners and the Personal Guarantors, unconditionally agree and submit to personal jurisdiction in the State of Florida in connection with any arbitration hearings under this Agreement and any suits brought to enforce the decision of the Arbitrators.
You, we, and our respective officers, directors, Owners and the Personal Guarantors, expressly waive any rights to contest venue and jurisdiction in the State of Florida and any claims that venue and jurisdiction are invalid.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 43–166)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Hydrodog's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, in the event of arbitration hearings, several parties unconditionally agree and submit to personal jurisdiction in the State of Florida. This includes the franchisee ('you'), Hydrodog ('we'), their respective officers, directors, owners, and any personal guarantors. This means that these individuals and entities consent to be subject to the legal authority of Florida courts for any arbitration-related matters arising from the franchise agreement.
This submission to jurisdiction is significant because it dictates where legal proceedings will take place. By agreeing to personal jurisdiction in Florida, franchisees and the other listed parties are accepting that any arbitration hearings or suits to enforce arbitration decisions will be conducted in Florida, regardless of where the franchisee's business is located or where they reside. This can create logistical and financial challenges for franchisees located outside of Florida, as they would need to travel to Florida for hearings and potentially hire Florida-based legal counsel.
The document also states that these parties expressly waive any rights to contest venue and jurisdiction in Florida, and any claims that venue and jurisdiction are invalid. This further solidifies the agreement to resolve disputes in Florida, preventing franchisees from challenging the location of arbitration proceedings. This clause is designed to ensure that Hydrodog can enforce the terms of the franchise agreement consistently and predictably, without facing legal challenges over jurisdiction.
For a prospective Hydrodog franchisee, this clause highlights the importance of understanding the legal implications of the franchise agreement. It is crucial to consider the potential costs and inconveniences associated with having to resolve disputes in Florida. Franchisees should consult with legal counsel to fully understand their rights and obligations under the agreement, particularly concerning dispute resolution and jurisdiction.