National car repair franchise Ultra Tune has been ordered to pay a $2.6 million penalty, with a judge finding the firm had not only breached the Franchising Code and the Australian Consumer Law by misleading a prospective franchisee but also misled the court in its defence of the case brought by the consumer watchdog.
The High Court has shot down a request by the former head of food franchisor Retail Food Group that it relieve him from having to appear before a Parliamentary Committee looking into the Franchise Code of Conduct.
Blockbuster has lost another round in its case against a husband and wife franchisee that sold a store’s assets to a competitor, with a court ruling the company could not sock the pair with the costs of its failed appeal.
OPSM owner Luxottica has agreed to make its franchise system more transparent after an investigation by the consumer watchdog found the eyewear giant’s disclosures weren’t up to scratch.
Foodco Group, the franchisor behind Muffin Break and Jamaica Blue, has called for a revised code of conduct that forces prospective franchisees to obtain legal advice prior to signing a franchise agreement.
The law should be altered to make unfair contract terms illegal, ACCC Chair Rod Sims says, and the regulator plans to use its clout to push for the change.
Power tool seller Husqvarna Australia has entered into a court-enforceable undertaking after admitting it likely misled franchisees when stating that its dealership agreements were not covered by the Franchising Code of Conduct.
Law firm Maurice Blackburn has dropped plans for a class action against Retail Food Group alleging the franchisor misled shareholders about the long-term viability of its business model.
A judge has found 7-Eleven is free to make confidential settlement offers to individual members in two class actions brought by franchisees, shooting down a bid by the applicants’ lawyers to get the court involved in the convenience store giant’s communications with class members.
A Pizza Hut outlet on the Gold Coast has been hit with fines totalling $216,700 after it was found to have misclassified a delivery driver and falsified records to cover it up, the Fair Work Ombudsman said Friday.