3 Key Takeaways | Is Franchising Doomed? The 2024 Version
One Month to More Effective Compliance on Business Ventures - Day 19 - Franchisor Compliance
Is Franchising Doomed?
Strategies for Negotiating with a Franchisee and Franchisor
Day 20 of One Month to More Effective Compliance for Business Ventures-Franchisor Liability
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
On February 27, 2025, the District of Minnesota granted a franchisor’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit initiated by its franchisee, alleging, among other things, breach of contract and misappropriation of trade secrets under the...more
In May of last year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) sought to ban non-compete agreements in most employment contracts. Franchise agreements were an exception. However, before the rule could take effect in September, a...more
Last May, the Federal Trade Commission looked to ban non-compete agreements in most employment contracts aside from franchise agreements. Although scheduled to become effective in September, a federal court vacated the ruling...more
A federal court in Florida recently held that extending a consent injunction was necessary to protect the interests of a franchisor. Tri-Cnty. Mobile Wash, Inc. v. B&C Wash Corp., 2024 WL 4379673 (S.D. Fla. Oct. 3, 2024)....more
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
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 Utah federal judge denied cookie franchisor Crumbl an injunction preventing its competitor, Dirty Dozen, from opening new locations while litigation between the two franchisors was pending....more
A gym franchisor recently secured a preliminary injunction against its former franchisee prohibiting the franchisee from operating an independent gym on the same location and using the franchisor’s trade secrets. Chris...more
An Ohio appellate court upheld the state trial court’s decision to grant a permanent injunction against two former franchisees of an auto body shop franchise working for a competitor in violation of the franchise agreement’s...more
After obtaining a temporary restraining order, Freedom Franchise Systems (“Freedom”), the franchisor of a boat-club business, was denied a preliminary injunction to stop a former franchisee prospect from using claimed trade...more
Second Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Franchisees’ Minimum Wage and Unjust Enrichment Claims - A divided panel of the Second Circuit Court of Appeals has concluded that claims of improper wage deductions and unjust...more
Welcome to The Franchise Memorandum by Lathrop GPM. Below are summaries of recent legal developments of interest to franchisors. Post-Termination Injunction: Noncompete Covenants - California Federal Court Enforces...more
In a misappropriation of trade secrets action, a franchisor sued a prospective franchisee, claiming breach of a non-disclosure agreement ("NDA") by operating a competing business. The prospective franchisee signed the NDA...more
Ohio Federal Court Awards Damages to Matco for Breach of Contract, Trademark Infringement, and Misappropriation of Trade Secrets - A federal court in Ohio has granted a franchisor’s unopposed motion for summary judgment...more
In a meaty decision involving the intersection of restrictive covenant and franchise law, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio recently denied a request by D.P. Dough Franchising, LLC (“D.P....more
An important part of the franchise system is the confidential operating manual. Many franchisors claim protection of operating manuals under the law of trade secrets and copyright. Keeping the contents confidential is...more
While they say that a grand jury could “indict a ham sandwich,” the First Circuit recently reminded chefs that you can’t copyright a chicken sandwich. Specifically, a former employee of a Puerto Rican Church’s Chicken...more
Franchisors that have developed successful programs in their home countries will frequently consider expansion opportunities in other countries. In the past, the U.S. was not necessarily an attractive venue in light of the...more