Food and Beverage

Noumi and ASIC are challenging a finding that the food manufacturer waived legal professional privilege over a PricewaterhouseCoopers report commissioned by its lawyers at Ashurst by disclosing the report during an ASIC investigation.

In a continuing fight over damages stemming from misleading burger ads, McDonald’s has opposed production of sales information to Hungry Jack’s directors and its top executive, saying the information was confidential and the companies “fierce competitors”.

A funder that was bankrolling a class action against restaurant chain Fogo Brazilia alleging it misled franchisees about the profitability of its businesses has “pulled the pin” on the case, with the law firm running the proceeding agreeing to act on a no win, no fee basis. 

Pizza Hut has paid $2.5 million in penalties for breaching spam laws when it sent more than 10 million unsolicited marketing messages to customers. 

Convenience chain 7-Eleven has defeated Seven Network’s challenge to its bid to trade mark ‘7-Select’ for a new brand of products targeting younger shoppers, with an IP Australia delegate finding consumer confusion was not likely.

The law firm and funder that ran a class action against Retail Food Group on behalf of current and former franchisees of its Michel’s Patisserie chain will be out of pocket, after the company agreed to a settlement under which it will pay nothing.

Two law firms behind underpayments class actions against Kentucky Fried Chicken have dodged a contest to run the litigation, agreeing to join their cases alleging the fast food giant denied tens of thousands of workers rest breaks.

The founder of ASX-listed bottled water company Eneco Refresh has been slapped with an 18-month suspended sentence after pleading guilty to market manipulation.

ASX-listed gourmet food company Maggie Beer has been dragged to court by the founders of Hampers & Gifts Australia over a $10 million earnout that was part of a $40 million agreement to acquire the e-commerce company in 2021. 

A former director of Noumi has won his challenge to the food manufacturer’s claim for legal professional privilege over a PricewaterhouseCoopers report commissioned by its lawyers at Ashurst, with a judge finding the company waived privilege by disclosing it to Australian Securities and Investments Commission.