What relief is Siew May Seow seeking from Annex Brands in the lawsuit?
Annex_Brands Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Siew May Seow v. Annex Brands, Inc., Case Number 2023-00027996-CU-FR-CTL , San Diego Superior Court. On June 30, 2023, our franchisee, Siew May Seow ("Plaintiff"), filed an action in San Diego Superior Court naming us as Defendant, and alleging claims for breach of contract, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, false promise, and restitution. We received notice of the action on July 6, 2023. On July 27, 2023, Plaintiff filed an amended complaint to add a claim for conversion based on the same facts alleged in the original
complaint. In January 2023, Plaintiff had signed a franchise agreement granting her the right and obligation to open and operate a Postal Annex+ Center, and paid us an initial franchise fee of $29,950. Plaintiff asserts that she was unable to secure financing, and seeks a refund of the initial franchise fee, punitive damages, attorney fees and costs, and prejudgment interest. We filed a motion to compel arbitration, since the franchise agreement contains an arbitration provision. On April 5, 2024, the Court granted our motion and stayed Plaintiff's action. On May 29, 2024, Plaintiff filed a Demand for Arbitration (AAA, San Diego, California, Case No. 01-24-0005-7170). As of the date of this disclosure document, an arbitration hearing was scheduled to occur on March 19, 2025. We deny that Plaintiff is entitled to any relief, and we intend to defend against Plaintiffs' claims on their merits.
Concluded Actions:
Salvador Fugrad, Catalina Fugrad and SCF Group, LLC v.
Source: Item 3 — Litigation (FDD pages 16–17)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Annex Brands' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Siew May Seow, a franchisee, initiated legal action against Annex Brands in San Diego Superior Court on June 30, 2023. The lawsuit includes claims for breach of contract, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, false promise, and restitution. An amended complaint was filed on July 27, 2023, adding a claim for conversion based on the same facts alleged in the original complaint.
Seow had signed a franchise agreement in January 2023, granting her the right to open and operate a Postal Annex+ Center, and she paid an initial franchise fee of $29,950. However, she asserts that she was unable to secure financing to proceed with opening the franchise location. As a result, Seow is seeking specific financial remedies from Annex Brands.
Specifically, Siew May Seow is seeking a refund of the initial franchise fee of $29,950 that she paid to Annex Brands. In addition to the refund, she is also seeking punitive damages, attorney fees and costs, and prejudgment interest. Annex Brands has responded by filing a motion to compel arbitration, citing an arbitration provision in the franchise agreement. The court granted this motion, and the case was stayed, with arbitration scheduled for March 19, 2025. Annex Brands denies that Seow is entitled to any relief and intends to defend against her claims.