3 Key Takeaways | Is Franchising Doomed? The 2024 Version
Is Franchising Doomed?
II-27 - Our 1st Anniversary Special: Bringing Back Our Inaugural Guest to Discuss What Was and What Will Still Be With President Trump
Employment Law This Week: Break Pay, Misclassification of Franchisees, California Computer Professional Exemption, Non-Compete Payment
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 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
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
A federal district court in Texas denied an individual defendant’s motion to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction, finding the defendant—the owner of the company that was granted a franchise—was bound in his individual...more
A federal district court in Texas denied a preliminary injunction filed by a franchisee (“EYM”) after Pizza Hut, as franchisor, terminated the franchise agreements....more
A federal court in Illinois recently denied cross motions for partial summary judgment as to franchisor 360 Painting, LLC’s claims for breach of contract by painting franchisee R. Sterling Enterprises, Inc. (RSE), and breach...more
A federal court in Colorado denied WD Ventures, LLC’s motion to dismiss for forum non conveniens pursuant to the forum selection clause in the parties’ franchise agreement indicating that the parties contemplated federal...more
A Massachusetts federal district court enforced a non-compete provision in a franchise agreement to enjoin former franchisees from operating a different branded automotive business at the same location as the former...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 district court in Georgia recently granted a Motion for Preliminary Injunction filed by HOA Franchising, LLC’s, the franchisor of the Hooters restaurant chain (“Hooters”), against one of its former restaurant franchisees,...more
An appellate court in California has affirmed a trial court’s rejection of more than $4 million in lost business profits, which appellant Glen Suh alleged in a breach of contract action against franchisor Boba Time, Inc. Suh...more
A federal court in Illinois recently dismissed a former franchisee’s counterclaims for alleged fraudulent misrepresentation, breach of contract regarding the franchisor’s advertising fund, and breach of contract and implied...more
A federal district court in Indiana held that a forum selection clause in the franchise agreement prevailed over a competing forum selection clause in the personal guaranty....more
A federal court in Virginia denied a franchisor’s motion for preliminary injunction against a former franchisee violating the franchise agreement’s post-termination noncompete. JTH Tax, LLC v. Younan, 2023 WL 6304865 (E.D....more
A federal court in Florida rejected a franchisee’s motion to vacate an arbitration award entered against it despite its arguments it did not have notice of the arbitration hearing. Your CBD Stores Franchising, LLC v....more
The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals recently affirmed the enforcement of a jury trial waiver against a franchisee. Pizza Hut L.L.C. v. Pandya, 79 F.4th 535 (5th Cir. Aug. 22, 2023). Pizza Hut originally filed suit against...more
A federal court in Pennsylvania granted in part and denied in part a former franchisee’s motion to dismiss a franchisor’s allegation that she misappropriated trade secrets and breached the franchise agreement. JTH Tax, LLC v....more
A Minnesota federal court denied cookie dough franchisor Cookie Dough Bliss Franchising’s motion for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against a former Minnesota franchisee and its owners....more
The Tenth Circuit has ruled in favor of KFC in a dispute with a franchisee alleging a breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. Kazi v. KFC US, LLC, 2023 WL 4983119 (10th Cir. Aug. 4, 2023)....more
A federal court in North Carolina recently dismissed a complaint brought by Bigelow Corporation against its franchisor Hound Town USA because the claims were time barred. Bigelow Corporation v. Hounds Town USA, LLC, 2023 WL...more
A federal court in Michigan granted Little Caesar Pizza Enterprises, Inc.’s motion for summary judgment seeking to enforce its termination of the franchise agreements between it and franchisee S&S Pizza Enterprises, Inc....more
A Minnesota bankruptcy court granted Fantastic Sams a preliminary injunction against a former Fantastic Sams franchisee, finding the operation of four new hair salons by the former franchisee was prohibited by enforceable...more
A Virginia district court dismissed a lawsuit filed by 360 Painting, a franchisor of residential and commercial painting services, concluding an addendum to the parties’ franchise agreement precluded 360 Painting’s claims for...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
A federal court in Michigan granted a motion to dismiss claims that franchisor Bateel International, LLC had violated the Michigan Franchise Investment Law and the Texas Business Opportunity Act. Luxury Concepts, Inc. v....more