For a Zoomin Groomin franchise purchased in Washington, where will the arbitration or mediation site be located?
Zoomin_Groomin Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
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- Site of Arbitration, Mediation, and/or Litigation. In any arbitration or mediation involving a franchise purchased in Washington, the arbitration or mediation site will be either in the state of Washington, or in a place mutually agreed upon at the time of the arbitration or mediation, or as determined by the arbitrator or mediator at the time of arbitration or mediation. In addition, if litigation is not precluded by the franchise agreement, a franchisee may bring an action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with the sale of franchises, or a violation of the Washington Franchise Investment Protection Act, in Washington.
Source: Item 17 — g. of the Disclosure Document is modified to state that, in addition to the grounds for immediate termination specified in Item 17.h., the franchisor can terminate upon written notice and a 60 day opportunity to cure for a breach of the Franchise Agreement. (FDD pages 51–65)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Zoomin Groomin's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, if a franchisee purchases a franchise in Washington and a dispute arises requiring arbitration or mediation, the location of these proceedings is subject to specific conditions. The arbitration or mediation site will be in the state of Washington. However, there are exceptions. The location can be a place mutually agreed upon by both parties at the time of the arbitration or mediation. Alternatively, the arbitrator or mediator can determine the site at the time of the proceedings.
This stipulation provides some protection for Washington franchisees, ensuring that they are not forced to travel to a distant or inconvenient location for dispute resolution. It allows for flexibility, as the parties can agree on a location that suits them both, or the arbitrator/mediator can decide based on the specifics of the case.
Additionally, the FDD states that if litigation is not precluded by the franchise agreement, a franchisee can bring an action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with the sale of franchises, or a violation of the Washington Franchise Investment Protection Act, in Washington. This offers an additional layer of protection for franchisees in Washington, allowing them to pursue legal action within their home state under certain conditions.