What is the deadline for Noodles & Company and the franchisee to agree on a single mediator for dispute resolution?
Noodles_Company Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
19.01 Mediation, Jurisdiction and Venue. Except for claims by either party for payments owed by one party to the other and except for claims requesting injunctive relief, any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the making, interpretation, or performance hereof, shall first be submitted to mediation. The parties shall agree on a single mediator within 30 days after notice by the complaining party, and if no mediator is mutually agreed upon within such 30 days, then the mediation shall be submitted by the complaining party to the American Arbitration Association's ("AAA's") regional office located closest to our principal place of business. The mediation proceedings shall be conducted in the city where we then have our principal place of business. You agree and acknowledge that Noodles & Company may, through manuals, or otherwise in writing, designate different procedures or rules for any mediation.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 99–350)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Noodles & Company's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, if a dispute arises relating to the franchise agreement (excluding claims for payments owed or requests for injunctive relief), both parties must first attempt mediation. The franchisee and Noodles & Company have 30 days after the complaining party provides notice to agree on a single mediator.
If Noodles & Company and the franchisee cannot agree on a mediator within this 30-day period, the complaining party must submit the mediation to the American Arbitration Association's (AAA) regional office closest to Noodles & Company's principal place of business. The mediation proceedings will then occur in the city where Noodles & Company has its principal place of business.
Prospective franchisees should note that Noodles & Company retains the right to modify these mediation procedures or rules through manuals or other written communications. This means the specific process could change during the term of the franchise agreement. Franchisees should stay informed of any updates to the dispute resolution process as outlined by Noodles & Company.