Before filing for AAA arbitration, users must send a written notice to McDonaldsInformalDisputeResolution@us.mcd.com and participate in a live telephone or videoconference with McDonald's within 60 days. This prerequisite is mandatory and statutes of limitations are tolled from receipt of the notice through the conference date.
This analysis describes what McDonald's's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology
This provision establishes a mandatory pre-arbitration procedural requirement including written notice with specified content and a live conference within 60 days before any arbitration demand may be filed. The tolling of statutes of limitations during this period is notable for time-sensitive consumer claims, and failure to complete the prerequisite may result in rejection of an arbitration demand.
The agreement requires users to complete a written notice and live conference process before filing for arbitration, with the notice sent to McDonaldsInformalDisputeResolution@us.mcd.com. The terms state that filing a Demand for Arbitration that does not comply with the prerequisite procedures may result in rejection of the demand.
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Compare across platforms →"prior to you or McDonald's initiating arbitration by filing a Demand for Arbitration with the AAA, you and McDonald's will engage in the informal dispute resolution process outlined in this paragraph. First, the party interested in pursuing a dispute related to the online services must give written notice to the other party of the party's intent to initiate an informal dispute resolution conference (the "Notice"). ... Second, within 60 days of the non-initiating party's receipt of the Notice, or at a later date if you and McDonald's mutually agree to enlarge the 60-day period, the parties shall make a good-faith attempt to resolve their dispute by participating in a live telephone call or videoconference. ... Engaging in this informal dispute resolution process is a prerequisite to commencing arbitration. Any applicable statute of limitations period and all arbitration filing fee deadlines shall be tolled from the date that a fully complete Notice is received by the other party to and including the date the dispute resolution conference is held.Excerpt from McDonald's's Terms of Use
1) REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: Pre-dispute resolution prerequisites in consumer arbitration agreements are assessed by the FTC and consumer protection agencies for whether they create procedural barriers that effectively deny consumers access to dispute resolution.
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This provision establishes a mandatory pre-arbitration procedural requirement including written notice with specified content and a live conference within 60 days before any arbitration demand may be filed. The tolling of statutes of limitations during this period is notable for time-sensitive consumer claims, and failure to complete the prerequisite may result in rejection of an arbitration demand.
The agreement requires users to complete a written notice and live conference process before filing for arbitration, with the notice sent to McDonaldsInformalDisputeResolution@us.mcd.com. The terms state that filing a Demand for Arbitration that does not comply with the prerequisite procedures may result in rejection of the demand.
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