Where will any arbitration be held for Springhill Suites By Marriott franchisees, and who needs to agree on the location?

According to Springhill Suites By Marriott's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the location for arbitration proceedings is Baltimore, Maryland. The document does not state that the franchisee needs to agree to this location.

This means that if a dispute arises that requires arbitration, the proceedings will take place in Baltimore, Maryland, regardless of the franchisee's location, unless otherwise specified in the agreement. Franchisees should consider the potential travel costs and logistical challenges associated with arbitrating in Baltimore, Maryland, if they are located elsewhere.

However, the FDD includes a provision specific to North Dakota franchisees. For franchisees in North Dakota, any arbitration will be held at a site mutually agreeable to both Springhill Suites By Marriott and the franchisee. This suggests that franchisees in North Dakota have the right to negotiate the arbitration location, which may differ from the standard location of Baltimore, Maryland.