What is the Civil Action Number for the lawsuit involving Augusta Lawn Care?
Augusta_Lawn_Care Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Abraham Bilgoray v. Mike Andes, Augusta Franchise LLC, Augusta Franchise LLC Suite, and Augusta Lawn Care Corporation, Civil Action No. 7:25-cv-00584, pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (originally filed in the Supreme Court of New York, Rockland County, on December 16, 2024 and removed to federal court on January 21, 2025). Plaintiff is a former franchisee of Augusta Lawn Care that alleges fraud and negligent
misrepresentation, based on a purported non-receipt of Augusta's pre-signing Franchise Disclosure Document (the "FDD"). Plaintiff therefore seeks rescission of contracts and restitution. Augusta moved to stay, transfer, and/or dismiss on multiple grounds, including: (i) Plaintiff's franchise agreement requires that he bring any claim before the American Arbitration Association ("AAA"); (ii) to the extent Plaintiff was not required to file his claim in the AAA, he was required to file suit in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington; (iii) Plaintiff's claims are deficient under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure; (iv) Plaintiff's fraud-based claims are without merit under the applicable documents; and (v) the applicable statute(s) of limitations bar Plaintiff's claims. Augusta denies any liability and is confident it will prevail in the litigation and recoup its attorneys' fees and costs incurred.
Source: Item 3 — LITIGATION (FDD pages 11–12)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Augusta Lawn Care's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, there is one disclosed litigation. The civil action number for the case Abraham Bilgoray v. Mike Andes, Augusta Franchise LLC, Augusta Franchise LLC Suite, and Augusta Lawn Care Corporation is Civil Action No. 7:25-cv-00584. The case is pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. It was originally filed in the Supreme Court of New York, Rockland County, on December 16, 2024, and then moved to federal court on January 21, 2025.
The plaintiff, a former Augusta Lawn Care franchisee, alleges fraud and negligent misrepresentation due to not receiving the Franchise Disclosure Document before signing. The plaintiff is seeking contract rescission and restitution. Augusta Lawn Care has responded by filing a motion to stay, transfer, or dismiss the case based on several grounds, including that the franchise agreement requires claims to be brought before the American Arbitration Association, or if not, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington. Augusta Lawn Care also claims the plaintiff's claims are deficient under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, without merit, and barred by the statute of limitations.
Augusta Lawn Care denies any liability and states they are confident they will win the litigation and recover their attorney's fees and costs. Prospective franchisees should be aware of this ongoing litigation and its potential implications. It is common for franchise companies to face lawsuits from time to time, but the details of the claims and the franchisor's response are important to consider when evaluating the overall risk of investing in the franchise.