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Epstein Becker & Green

Massachusetts High Court Rules That Franchisees Are Independent Contractors

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In a win for businesses, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (“SJC”) has ruled that individuals in true franchisor-franchisee relationships are independent contractors....more

Lewitt Hackman

Franchisee 101: No Spice; No Injunction

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A Colorado federal court denied a franchisor’s request for preliminary injunction that would enforce a non-compete provision against a former franchisee. The franchisor of spice and tea shops known as Spice & Tea Merchants...more

Lewitt Hackman

Franchisor 101: Non-Performance – Fact or Fiction?

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A New Jersey federal court granted in part a hotel franchisor’s motion for summary judgment against its franchisee and the guarantor of the personal guaranty, for breach of the parties’ franchise agreement. The franchisee did...more

Fisher Phillips

7-Eleven Franchisees Are Not Employees Under Massachusetts Law: 5 Tips to Ensure Compliance After Latest Ruling

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The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) just delivered a win for franchisor-franchisee relationships. Specifically, the court held that 7-Eleven franchisees are not performing a “service” for their franchisor, meaning...more

Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete, LLP

Oh, thank heaven! 7-Eleven franchisees were not misclassified “employees,” MA high court rules

The Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, answering a certified question, has ruled that five 7-Eleven franchisees were independent contractors, not misclassified “employees,” under the Massachusetts Independent Contractor...more

Akerman LLP

Leisure Law Insider (Vol. 4) - Fall 2024

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Welcome to the fourth edition of The Leisure Law Insider! Released quarterly, we cover the latest news and developments in leisure and hospitality law, regulation, and policy. Expect content on hotels, franchising, labor and...more

Seyfarth Shaw LLP

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Upholds 7-Eleven Franchise System in Denying Franchisees’ Challenge to Their Independent...

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On September 5, 2024, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (“SJC”) answered a second certified question in Patel, et al. v. 7-Eleven, Inc., et al. (“Patel II”), a long-running case where 7-Eleven franchisees claimed they...more

Foley & Lardner LLP

Franchisor Enforces Its Trademark Rights Against Former Prospective Franchisee

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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

Proskauer - Tax Talks

California FTB Releases Updated Proposed Regulations on Market-Based Sourcing Rules – Implications for Asset Managers

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On September 13, 2024, California’s Franchise Tax Board (“FTB”) released updated proposed regulations (“Draft Regulations”), which would amend the rules regarding market-based sourcing for sales other than sales of tangible...more

Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

Minnesota Supreme Court Holds the Minnesota Franchise Act Does Not “Categorically Preclude” Enforcement by Out-of-State...

On September 11, 2024, the Minnesota Supreme Court issued an opinion holding that the Minnesota Franchise Act (MFA) does not “categorically preclude an out-of-state company from enforcing a claim for unfair practices” under...more

Foley & Lardner LLP

Manufacturer Acted Reasonably in Terminating a Franchisee for Failure to Abide by Agreement

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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

Foley Hoag LLP

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Rules 7-Eleven Franchisees Are Not Employees

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On September 5, 2024, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (“SJC”) ruled in Patel v. 7-Eleven that 7-Eleven franchisees are not employees of the franchisor under the independent contractor statute. The SJC looked beyond...more

Lathrop GPM

Ohio Appellate Court Reverses Summary Judgment Holding Regarding Applicability of Area Representative Agreement to Individuals

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An Ohio appellate court, reversing a summary judgment decision, recently held that the “full-time efforts” section of an Area Representative Agreement was applicable only to the area representative entity and not the...more

Lathrop GPM

Michigan Federal Court Grants Franchisor’s Motion for Preliminary Injunction Against Former Restoration Service Franchisee

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A federal court in Michigan has granted a franchisor’s motion for preliminary injunction against former franchisees for violating the franchise agreements’ post-termination noncompete provisions. 1-800 Water Damage Int’l LLC...more

Lathrop GPM

Michigan Precedent on Michigan Franchise Investment Law Held to Trump Inconsistent Sixth Circuit Precedent on Private Right of...

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A federal court in Michigan recently granted several related franchisors’ motions to dismiss a franchisee’s claims for violations of the Michigan Franchise Investment law. Benjamin Franklin Franchising SPE LLC v. David...more

Lathrop GPM

Appellate Court in Pennsylvania Affirms Ruling on Gas Station Franchisor’s Indemnification Claims

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A state appellate court in Pennsylvania recently affirmed a trial court’s summary judgment ruling addressing a franchisor’s claims for indemnification in a personal injury dispute. Sunoco (R&M), LLC v. Pa. Nat'l Mut. Cas....more

Lathrop GPM

Virginia Federal Court Rules It has Subject Matter Jurisdiction Over DTSA Claim Because Foreign Bankruptcy Proceeding Only Stayed...

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A federal court in Virginia recently ruled that it had federal question subject matter jurisdiction over a Defend Trade Secrets Act (DTSA) claim, rejecting Defendants’ argument that a foreign bankruptcy proceeding stayed the...more

Lathrop GPM

Washington Federal Court Grants Home Healthcare Services Franchisor’s Motion to Compel Arbitration in Accordance with the...

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A federal court in Washington recently granted a motion brought by franchisor Nurse Next Door Home Healthcare Services, Inc. (NND) to compel arbitration of a Florida-based franchisee’s claims. Nurse Next Door Home Healthcare...more

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart,...

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Clarifies Franchisee vs. Employee Classification

In the ever-evolving landscape of employment law, a recent Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) opinion, Patel v. 7-Eleven, Inc., has shed light on a critical question: When is a franchisee considered an employee of the...more

Proskauer - Tax Talks

California Franchise Tax Board (FTB) to Apply Market-Based Sourcing Rules to Nonresident Directors of California Based...

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On Monday, September 9, 2024, the California FTB approved proposed amendments to California’s personal income tax code. This proposed rule would impose California income tax on non-resident/non-employee corporate...more

Foley & Lardner LLP

Franchisee Claims for Promissory Estoppel and Violations of the Michigan Franchise Investment Law Fail

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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

Seyfarth Shaw LLP

New York Joins States Permitting Dealers To Claim Warranty Reimbursement Using Third Party Labor Time Guides - Seyfarth's Future...

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On September 4, 2024, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed into law an amendment to New York’s warranty reimbursement statute, N.Y. Veh. & Traf. Law § 465, requiring manufacturers to compensate dealers for labor using the...more

Morgan, Brown & Joy, LLP

Supreme Judicial Court Rules That Typical Franchise Operators Are Independent Contractors, Not Employees

On September 5, 2024, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (“SJC”) held that 7-Eleven franchisees operating in a “typical” franchisor-franchisee relationship were independent contractors and not “employees” of 7-Eleven,...more

Polsinelli

Court Rules that the FTC Rule Banning Non-Competition Clauses in Employment Agreements is Unlawful and Order Has “Nationwide...

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On August 20, 2024, the Northern District of Texas in the case of Ryan, LLC v. Federal Trade Commission granted summary judgment to the Plaintiff Ryan, LLC, enjoining the FTC from implementing its rule banning non-compete...more

Lewitt Hackman

Franchisee 101: Non-Compete Jumpstarted in Bankruptcy

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A Michigan bankruptcy court held that a debtor-franchisee seeking to reject a franchise agreement for an auto repair center could not reject either a stand-alone confidentiality agreement with the franchisor or the...more

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