Who must give permission for additional persons to attend Kitchen Solvers mediation?

According to Kitchen Solvers' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, during mediation, each party involved must be represented by someone with the authority to settle the dispute, referred to as an "Authorized Person," and may also have legal counsel present. The document specifies that each party may include additional persons in the mediation with the permission of the other party.

For a Kitchen Solvers franchisee, this means that while you are required to have an authorized representative and are allowed to have legal counsel during mediation, bringing any additional individuals requires obtaining consent from the opposing party. This could include expert witnesses, business partners, or other advisors whose presence you believe would be beneficial to your case.

This requirement ensures that the mediation process remains manageable and fair, preventing one party from overwhelming the other with a large number of attendees. It also encourages both parties to communicate and agree on who needs to be present to facilitate a productive discussion and resolution. A prospective franchisee should consider the implications of this clause, particularly in situations where they anticipate needing additional support or expertise during a dispute resolution process.