A federal district court recently enforced a forum selection clause in National Equipment Dealers, LLC v. IROCK Crushers LLC, transferring the case to Ohio and confirming the enforceability of venue clauses in commercial...more
A federal court recently enjoined a franchisor from terminating a franchise agreement or interfering with a franchisee’s operations pending the resolution of the franchisor’s motion to transfer venue....more
In OTG New York, Inc. v. Ottogi America, Inc., OTG was the exclusive regional distributor for food company Ottogi from 2008–23, during which Ottogi shipped inventory to OTG’s New Jersey warehouse. In 2024, Ottogi terminated...more
Decozen Chrysler Jeep Corp. (“Decozen”), a New Jersey-based automobile dealership, filed a lawsuit against Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, LLC (“FCA”), in U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey alleging that FCA...more
4/11/2025
/ Antitrust Violations ,
Automotive Industry ,
Breach of Contract ,
Contract Disputes ,
Dealerships ,
False Claims Act (FCA) ,
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Fraud ,
Manufacturers ,
Misrepresentation ,
Motion to Dismiss ,
Unfair Competition
A key term of any franchise agreement is the venue selection clause as this page has previously explained.
This issue was at the forefront of Convenience Stores Leasing & Management, LLC’s (“CSLM”) August 2024 suit...more
A recent federal court decision in T&T Management, Inc. v. Choice Hotels, Inc. underscores key contractual and operational considerations for franchisors. T&T filed suit in U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota...more
3/27/2025
/ Acquisitions ,
Breach of Contract ,
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Due Diligence ,
Franchise Agreements ,
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Motion to Dismiss ,
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Trade Secrets
A franchisor may pursue claims for declaratory and injunctive relief for potential trademark infringement against a former prospective franchisee even though the prospect never actually used the marks in question. Grainier...more
9/25/2024
/ Breach of Contract ,
Consumer Fraud ,
Contract Negotiations ,
Counterclaims ,
Declaratory Rulings ,
Enforcement ,
Franchise Disclosure Document ,
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Lanham Act ,
Promissory Estoppel ,
Trademarks ,
Unfair or Deceptive Trade Practices
Tasty Baking Company (“Tasty”), a manufacturer of prepackaged goods, terminated Distefano, Inc. (“Distefano”), Maryland-based owner of a franchise with rights to sell Tasty products in a prescribed area called a “route.”...more
A recent court decision explained the circumstances under which a plaintiff may assert a claim for promissory estoppel and whether a private right of action exists for a certain alleged violation of the Michigan Franchise...more
9/11/2024
/ Advertising ,
Breach of Contract ,
Declaratory Judgments ,
Enforcement ,
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Franchise Agreements ,
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Royalties
In Bank United, NA v. GC of Vineland, LLC, Karen and William Scism and GC Vineland, LLC (“GVC”) (collectively the “Scism Parties”) filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey against Golden...more
In LeTip World Franchise LLC v. Long Island Social Media Group LLC, the U.S. District of Court for the District of Arizona granted a temporary restraining order in favor of a franchisor, LeTip World Franchise LLC (“LeTip”)...more
A franchisee, Functional HIIT Fitness, has filed suit in U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of Michigan against a franchisor, F45 Training Incorporated, and five of its officers: Adam Gilchrist, Robert Deutsch, Marc...more
In Louis Degidio, Inc. v. Industrial Combustion, LLC, Louis Degidio, Inc. (Degidio) and Louis Degidio Services, Inc. (Degidio Services) sued Industrial Combustion, LLC (IC), a manufacturer of “institutional boiler system”...more
In Luxury Concepts, Inc. v. Bateel International, LLC, a franchisee, Luxury Concepts, Inc. (LCI), sued a retail outlet and e-commerce franchisor, Bateel International LLC (Bateel), as well as multiple Bateel directors in...more
In Integrity Real Estate Consultants v. Re/Max of New York, Inc., a franchisee, Integrity Real Estate Consultants (“Integrity”), sued a real estate service provider franchisor, Re/Max of New York, Inc. (“Re/Max”), in New York...more
In Travelodge Hotels, Inc. v. Durga, LLC, a hotel franchisor, Travelodge Hotels, Inc. (Travelodge), sued Durga LLC and its sole member (Durga), a hotel franchisee, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey,...more
In Northeast Farm Sales and Service, Inc. v. Krone NA, Inc., a farm equipment dealer, Northeast Farm Sales and Service, Inc. (Northeast Farm), sued Krone NA, Inc. (Krone), a supplier of farm equipment, in the dealer’s home...more
The Sixth Circuit has held that a contractual forum-selection clause in a franchise agreement was unenforceable because it violated state law.
In Lakeside Surfaces, Inc. v. Cambria Company, LLC, Lakeside Surfaces, a...more
A recent federal court decision explores the concept of associational standing, the right of an association of franchisees to sue a franchisor on behalf of its member franchises. In APFA Inc. v. UTAP Management, LLC, the...more