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
Franchise Agreements are typically drafted by the franchisor and presented on a “take it or leave it” basis. These contracts often impose strict controls over how you operate your business — from approved vendors and...more
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 Missouri granted franchisor’s motion for preliminary injunction against its former franchisee, enjoining the former franchisee from operating a competing business from the former franchised location....more
A Massachusetts federal court granted a franchisor’s request to enforce the franchise agreement’s post-termination non-compete provision against a terminated franchisee....more
A federal district court in Tennessee granted a motion for a default judgment in the franchisor’s favor against its former franchisee requiring the franchisee to pay damages and comply with the post-termination obligations...more
While 2024 saw more stability in the financial markets than 2023, many challenges arose in 2024 for franchised businesses, manufacturers and retail chains, including bankruptcies of many large restaurant and retail chains,...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 Minnesota district court issued a preliminary injunction against a former franchisee who engaged in a competing business during the franchise relationship. Snap Fitness, Inc., a gym franchisor, entered into a franchise...more
A federal court in Minnesota recently granted franchisor Snap Fitness Inc.’s motion for preliminary injunction against an out-of-state franchisee that announced its intentions to open a competing gym during the term of the...more
A Kansas district court denied a franchisor’s motion for preliminary injunction against its former franchisee who engaged in competing businesses immediately after terminating the franchise relationship....more
The California Court of Appeals upheld a decision finding that a Texas court had personal jurisdiction over California franchisees. GlobalCFO LLC v. Venkataramanappa, 2024 WL 4220439 (Cal. Ct. App. Sept. 18, 2024)....more
In a recent decision of interest, the Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Michigan held that a non-compete clause within a franchise agreement as well as confidentiality agreement could not be rejected as an...more
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
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
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 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
A state trial court in Minnesota granted Renters Warehouse USA, LLC’s motion for a temporary injunction, and enjoined Life Property Managers, LLC (LPM) from violating its post-termination obligations and a covenant not to...more
A Michigan bankruptcy court recently granted debtor/franchisee Empower Central Michigan Inc.’s motion to reject a franchise agreement as an executory contract but found that a non-compete clause and a related confidentiality...more
A federal court in New Jersey recently granted a franchisor’s motion for a preliminary injunction, enjoining the former franchisee from using the franchisor’s marks and violating the franchise agreement’s noncompete clause,...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
On April 23, 2034, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a final rule intended to ban the use and enforcement of most non-compete clauses signed by workers. The new rule is not in effect yet. It will become...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 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
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