Arbitration costs: what the AAA fee schedule says
The American Arbitration Association publishes filing and final fees by claim size. This page reads the schedule as written, and says what it leaves out.
If a franchise agreement sends disputes to arbitration under the American Arbitration Association (AAA) commercial rules, the AAA's published fee schedule sets the administrative fees. It does not set the whole bill. This page reads the schedule as written. It does not say what a franchise arbitration costs in practice, because the sources do not.
Whether the AAA is involved at all depends on the contract. Some clauses name JAMS or another provider, and the AAA has other rule sets besides its commercial rules. The clause in your own agreement controls, and the item 17 summary in the disclosure document will say whether arbitration is required.
Filing and final fees by claim size
The table below is taken from the AAA-ICDR Commercial Arbitration Administrative Fee Schedule, effective Sept. 1, 2025. The initial filing fee is paid to start the case. The final fee is incurred when the first evidentiary hearing is scheduled, and the schedule says that includes motions or requests for interim relief or awards.
| Claim amount | Initial filing fee | Final fee |
|---|---|---|
| Less than $75,000 | $1,450 | $1,150 |
| $75,000 to under $150,000 | $2,375 | $1,825 |
| $150,000 to under $300,000 | $3,675 | $3,325 |
| $300,000 to under $500,000 | $4,825 | $4,175 |
| $500,000 to under $1,000,000 | $6,650 | $7,525 |
| $1,000,000 to under $10,000,000 | $8,925 | $9,675 |
These are AAA administrative fees only. The schedule says arbitrator compensation is not included. Source: AAA fee schedule, checked 28 October 2026.
Other lines on the schedule
- Non-monetary claims, such as a request to stop something and not pay money: an initial filing fee of $4,825 and a final fee of $4,175. The schedule calls this the minimum filing fee for any case seeking non-monetary relief.
- Applications for emergency measures of protection: an additional filing fee of $3,500.
- Refunds: the schedule lists a $750 minimum non-refundable initial filing fee, with refunds of 100 percent within 5 days of filing, 50 percent for days 6 to 30, and 25 percent for days 31 to 60.
- Mediation at the AAA: each party pays a $350 non-refundable filing fee, in addition to the mediator's compensation (AAA's separate mediation fee schedule).
Emergency relief and going to court
The AAA commercial rules (in the AAA's current rules file) include Rule R-39 on emergency relief before the panel is formed. A party notifies the AAA and the other parties in writing. The AAA appoints a single emergency arbitrator within one business day of receiving notice, and that arbitrator sets a schedule within two business days of appointment. The arbitrator may enter an interim order if satisfied that immediate and irreparable loss or damage will result without relief. The rule does not apply to cases under the Expedited Procedures. For more on urgent relief, see preliminary injunctions and TROs.
Rule R-38 says a request to a court for interim measures is not incompatible with the agreement to arbitrate and is not a waiver of the right to arbitrate.
Federal law backs arbitration clauses. Under 9 U.S.C. 2 a written arbitration provision in a contract involving commerce is valid, irrevocable and enforceable except on grounds that would revoke any contract. Under section 3 a federal court stays a case on an arbitrable issue until arbitration has been had, and under section 4 it can order the parties to proceed to arbitration under the agreement's terms.
What these figures do not tell you
The schedule covers AAA fees on the AAA's tiers. It says nothing about lawyer time, arbitrator compensation, or any total. JAMS, a different provider, states on its own fee page that the hourly rate is set by the individual arbitrator, that a case management fee of 13 percent is added to professional fees, and that its filing fee is $2,500 for two-party matters. The AAA's expedited and large complex case tiers were not captured here.
For lawyer rates and how a court case compares, see going to court: costs and timing and the arbitration clause explained. A lawyer licensed in your state can say which provider, rules and fees your agreement points to.
Where this came from
- AAA-ICDR Commercial Arbitration Administrative Fee Schedule (checked 28 October 2026).
- AAA Commercial Arbitration Rules, R-38 and R-39 (checked 28 October 2026).
- 9 U.S.C. 2, 3 and 4 (checked 28 October 2026).
- JAMS Arbitration Schedule of Fees and Costs (checked 28 October 2026).