A federal court in Missouri recently denied franchisor Three Dog Bakery, LLC’s request for a temporary restraining order (TRO) against its former franchisee, J.L.E.T. Enterprises SWF, LLC, and its owners, Joseph and Lynette...more
A federal court in Arizona recently dismissed a franchisee’s counterclaims for breach of contract, defamation, and injunctive relief against its former franchisor. LeTip World Franchise LLC v. Long Island Soc. Media Grp. LLC,...more
6/6/2025
/ Breach of Contract ,
Contract Disputes ,
Counterclaims ,
Defamation ,
Franchise Agreements ,
Franchisee ,
Franchises ,
Franchisors ,
Injunctive Relief ,
Motion to Dismiss ,
Restrictive Covenants
A federal court in Ohio recently granted Cavalier Distributing’s motion to temporarily restrain a fellow distributor, MicroStar Logistics, from contacting other keg suppliers to accuse Cavalier of failing to pay a debt or...more
A federal court in California recently granted Ringside Development Company’s motion to stay a franchisee-initiated lawsuit pending resolution through alternative dispute resolution. Jameson v. Ringside Development Company,...more
A federal court in Minnesota recently granted in part Ashley Furniture Industries’ motion to compel arbitration of a Minnesota-based sales representative’s claims. ABWB, Inc. v. Ashley Furniture Indus., LLC,2024 WL 4296900...more
The Tennessee Court of Appeals reversed a district court’s dismissal of a franchisee’s declaratory judgment claim, finding that the claim was properly brought in Tennessee. Lakeway Real Estate2, LLC v. ERA Franchise Sys.,...more
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court answered “no” to a certified question from the First Circuit Court of Appeals asking whether plaintiff franchisees “‘perform any service’ for 7-Eleven within the meaning of [the...more
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
In July 2024, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) withdrew its appeal of a March 2024 federal district court decision striking down the NLRB’s 2023 joint employer rule. In that decision, the Eastern District of Texas...more
A federal court in California recently granted a franchisor’s motion to dismiss a class action suit alleging discrimination in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Garland v. Dunkin’ Donuts, LLC, 2024 WL...more
A federal court in Texas has denied an individual owner’s motion to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction despite the fact that he had not signed the relevant franchise agreement or corporate guaranty in his individual...more
A federal court in Minnesota recently granted Toro’s motion for a preliminary injunction against two former employees, while dismissing their new employer, a Canadian manufacturer, for lack of personal jurisdiction. The Toro...more
A federal court in Pennsylvania granted in part and denied in part a licensee’s motion to dismiss the licensor’s breach of contract, fraud, and Lanham Acts claims. Westbrook Monster Mix Co. v. Easy Gardener Prods., Inc., 2024...more
3/18/2024
/ Brand ,
Breach of Contract ,
Fraud ,
IP License ,
Lanham Act ,
License Agreements ,
Logos ,
Misrepresentation ,
Motion to Dismiss ,
Royalties ,
Trademark Litigation ,
Trademarks
A federal court in Connecticut reduced attorneys’ fees and costs sought by a sales representative after the court raised concerns about several issues with the sales representative’s trial strategy. Trade Links, LLC v. Bi-Qem...more
A state appellate court in California reversed a superior court’s denial of a massage franchisor’s motion to compel arbitration. Jane Doe #1 (I.G.) v. Massage Envy Franchising, LLC, 2023 WL 8801517 (Cal. Ct. App. Dec. 20,...more
A federal court in Washington denied the State of Washington’s motion to dismiss an out-of-state distiller’s constitutional challenge to Washington’s distillery regulatory scheme. Shady Knoll Orchards & Distillery LLC v....more
12/11/2023
/ Constitutional Challenges ,
Distilleries ,
Dormant Commerce Clause ,
Interstate Commerce ,
Motion to Dismiss ,
Out-of-State Companies ,
Regulatory Oversight ,
State Constitutions ,
Twenty-First Amendment ,
Washington ,
Wine & Alcohol
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 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
10/9/2023
/ Breach of Contract ,
Defend Trade Secrets Act (DTSA) ,
Franchise Agreements ,
Franchisee ,
Franchises ,
Franchisors ,
Interstate Commerce ,
Misappropriation ,
Nexus ,
Non-Compete Agreements ,
Non-Solicitation Agreements ,
Rebuttable Presumptions ,
Subject Matter Jurisdiction ,
Time-Barred Claims ,
Trade Secrets ,
Unjust Enrichment