What is Beyond Juicery Eatery seeking to collect from the former franchisee through litigation?
Beyond_Juicery_Eatery Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Except for the action described below, there is no litigation required to be disclosed in this Item.
Pending Action: Litigation Against Former Franchisee and Principal Owner for Collection of Past-Due Fees and Liquidated Damages and Enforcement of Post-Termination, Confidentiality, Non-Disclosure, and Covenants Not to Compete.
BEYOND JUICERY + EATERY FRANCHISING, LLC v. JP JUICE, LLC and PHILIP BATTEN, United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, Southern Division, Case No. 25-cv-11157, Case filed April 22, 2025. On April 22, 2025, we filed a complaint against a former franchisee to collect past-due fees and liquidated damages owed under the franchise agreement and to enforce the posttermination, confidentiality and non-disclosure, and covenants not to compete. We also filed a motion for entry of a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction, which is pending as of the date of this Disclosure Document. No response has currently been filed by the former franchisee or principal owner. The case remains open.
Source: Item 3 — LITIGATION (FDD page 15)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Beyond Juicery Eatery's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, they have filed a complaint against a former franchisee to collect past-due fees and liquidated damages. The complaint also seeks to enforce post-termination, confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements, and covenants not to compete. The case, filed on April 22, 2025, is against JP Juice, LLC and Philip Batten in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, Southern Division.
Beyond Juicery Eatery also filed a motion for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction, which was pending as of the date of the FDD. As of the date of the disclosure document, the former franchisee and principal owner had not filed a response, and the case remains open.
This type of litigation is not uncommon in franchising when a franchisee allegedly breaches the franchise agreement, especially after termination. Prospective franchisees should be aware that Beyond Juicery Eatery is willing to pursue legal action to protect its interests, including financial and proprietary information, and to enforce non-compete obligations. This could have significant implications for a franchisee who decides to leave the system or is terminated for non-compliance.