Wasch Raines represents franchisees and franchisors in federal court, state court and in alternative dispute settings such as arbitration.
Recently, Wasch Raines’ franchise lawyers obtained a multi-six figure judgment against an Australian-based franchise company and its owner who fraudulently sold a franchise in Tallahassee, Florida. On behalf of its franchisee client, Wasch Raines brought claims for, inter alia, violations of the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, (FDUTPA), violations of the Florida Franchise Act, violations of the Florida Sale of Business Opportunities Act, fraudulent inducement, breach of contract and the covenant of good faith and fair dealing. Judge Mark Walker presided over the case in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida.
On behalf of an established franchisor client, Wasch Raines’ franchise lawyers obtained a final judgment granting injunctive relief and monetary damages against an international master developer in the Middle East which breached the master development agreement and misappropriated the franchisor’s trademarks and trade dress by opening a similar concept restaurant at the franchised location. Judge Cecilia Altonaga presided over the case in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. In the 17-page Order, Judge Altonaga issued an injunction requiring that the master developer cease from continuing to utilize the marks and trade dress of the franchisor. Wasch Raines is working with local counsel in the Middle East to enforce the final judgment.
Wasch Raines’ franchise lawyers regularly provide litigation services to its franchisor clients when franchisees fail to meet brand standards and breach their contractual obligations under the franchise agreement. Wasch Raines also represents franchisees nationwide and regularly initiates claims against franchisors for such claims as breach of the franchise agreement, violations of the disclosure rules set forth in the Amended FTC Franchise Rule, violations of FDUTPA, fraudulent misrepresentations, overstated financial performance representations, and violations of other applicable federal and state franchise and business opportunity laws.
About Wasch Raines LLP
Wasch Raines LLP is a business and franchise law firm providing a comprehensive range of services to emerging and established businesses and franchise companies in a variety of industries. Through its unique business model, the firm offers its clients the benefits of having a cost-efficient in-house general counsel and a full service litigation team. For more information, click here to contact us or call (561) 693-3221.
