Ongoing tensions between Tim Hortons franchisees and the brand’s parent company have spilled over into the United States, where a dissident group of franchisees has filed a new lawsuit. “It uses its forum selection clause in its franchise agreements to force all litigation in its favoured court, the federal court located in Miami. The litigation follows months of public tension between GWNFA’s Canadian franchisees and the parent company over cost-cutting measures, a $700-million renovation plan and delays in the delivery of supplies. The group has also backed a franchisee’s class-action lawsuit filed in Canada over the company’s alleged improper use of a national advertising fund. The tensions pushed Tim Hortons’ franchisee advisory board to write to GWNFA last month pleading with the group to stop airing their complaints publicly because they claimed it was damaging the brand and affecting owners’ livelihoods.

Source: thestar May 03, 2018 15:06 UTC