A federal court in New York denied a franchisee's motion for preliminary injunction that would have prevented its franchisor Metal Supermarkets Franchising America (MSFA) from installing technology upgrades in its stores.
MSFA is the franchisor of a metal parts business. JDS Group (JDS), a Washington corporation, owned two MSFA franchises. For ten years as an MSFA franchisee, JDS used a software system called "Metal Magic" that MSFA supplied. In 2012, MSFA determined that Metal Magic was outdated and below an appropriate measure of MSFA's standards. It developed a new software system, called "MetalTech," which took three years to develop and cost over $1 million. MSFA began installing MetalTech at franchisee locations. But JDS continued to use the Metal Magic system and refused to switch its stores to MetalTech, claiming it was unreliable and did not perform as required. JDS sued MSFA for violation of the Washington State Franchise Investment Protection Act (FIPA) and for breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and asked the court for a preliminary injunction to prevent MSFA from installing MetalTech in its stores.
JDS claimed MetalTech was unreliable and inefficient and submitted declarations of six MSFA franchisees, all alleging that they had serious problems using MetalTech that hurt their business operations. The court found that express terms of the franchise agreements permitted MSFA to develop or designate computer software programs and required JDS to use them. The court noted that federal courts have repeatedly held that it is permissible for a franchisor to require franchisees to use its proprietary computer systems. The court found no evidence of bad faith by MSFA and concluded it was unlikely that JDS would be successful on the merits of its FIPA claim.
The court also held that JDS failed to show it was likely to suffer irreparable harm if MetalTech were installed in its stores. MSFA showed that 78 out of 86 stores were using MetalTech and on average those stores saw sales increases after the conversion. The court found that any impediment imposed by MetalTech was not so great as to impair JDS's ability to continue operating its business. Accordingly, the court found an injunction was not warranted and denied JDS's motion.
An important aspect of operating a franchise that may be overlooked by potential franchisees is the possibility of changing or upgrading technology at the franchisor's request. Franchisors typically reserve the right to require franchisees to upgrade computer and technology systems. Prospective franchisees should understand before they enter into a franchise agreement that technology upgrades are likely to occur during the life of their franchised business.
More Info: JDS Group Ltd. v. Metal Supermarkets Franchising, W.D.N.Y.
