Where is the Stretch Zone office located for litigation purposes?
Stretch_Zone Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
| Provision | Section in Area Development Agreement | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| v. Choice of forum1 | Section 9.1 | Subject to state law, any informal dispute resolution, |
| mediation or arbitration proceeding must be conducted | ||
| where our principal office is located when the demand is | ||
| requested. Any litigation to enforce the Area | ||
| Development Agreement must be filed in the courts | ||
| where our principal office is located when litigation is | ||
| filed (currently Broward County, Florida). | ||
| w. Choice of law1 | Section 9.1 | Except to the extent governed by the United States |
| Trademark Act of 1946, the United States Copyright Act | ||
| or the United States Arbitration Act, , and subject to | ||
| applicable state law, the Development Agreement is | ||
| interpreted under the laws of Florida. |
Source: Item 17 — ITEM -17 RENEWAL, TERMINATION, TRANSFER AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION (FDD pages 65–73)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Stretch Zone's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, any litigation to enforce the Area Development Agreement or Franchise Agreement must be filed in the courts where Stretch Zone's principal office is located. Currently, Stretch Zone's principal office is located in Broward County, Florida. This means that if a franchisee or area developer has a legal dispute with Stretch Zone that results in litigation, the lawsuit must be filed in Broward County, Florida, subject to state law.
This requirement regarding the location of legal proceedings is called a "choice of forum" clause, and it is a common practice in franchising. These clauses are generally enforceable, but may be subject to certain state laws that could modify or invalidate them under specific circumstances. Franchisees should be aware of this clause and consider the potential costs and inconveniences of having to litigate in Broward County, Florida, regardless of where their franchise is located.
It is important to note that this choice of forum applies specifically to litigation. The FDD states that informal dispute resolution, mediation, or arbitration proceedings must be conducted where Stretch Zone's principal office is located when the demand is requested, subject to state law. This means that before a franchisee can file a lawsuit, they may be required to attempt to resolve the dispute through these alternative methods in Broward County, Florida. Franchisees should consult with a legal professional to understand the full implications of these dispute resolution provisions and how they may impact their rights and obligations under the franchise agreement or area development agreement.