throbber
Case 2:22-cv-10128-SFC-APP ECF No. 1, PageID.1 Filed 01/21/22 Page 1 of 19
`
`UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
`FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN
`Southern Division – Detroit
`
`LITTLE CAESAR ENTERPRISES,
`INC.,
`a Michigan corporation, and
`LC TRADEMARKS, INC.,
`a Michigan corporation,
`Plaintiffs,
`v.
`GURMOH, INC.,
`a Washington corporation,
`ABW FOODS LLC,
`a Washington limited liability
`company,
`ATMA SINGH JASSAL,
`a Washington citizen,
`MOHAN JASSAL,
`a Washington citizen, and
`GURJEET JASSAL,
`a Washington citizen,
`Defendants.
`
`Case No.
`
`
`
`COMPLAINT
`
`Plaintiffs Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc. and LC Trademarks, Inc.
`
`(collectively, “Little Caesar”) bring this action for breach of contract, trademark
`
`infringement, unfair competition, and trade dress infringement. Little Caesar has
`
`terminated its Franchise Agreements with Defendants based on Defendants’ breach
`
`of those Agreements by failing to provide multiple contractually required financial
`
`

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`Case 2:22-cv-10128-SFC-APP ECF No. 1, PageID.2 Filed 01/21/22 Page 2 of 19
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`statements to Little Caesar. Despite the termination, Defendants continue to hold
`
`themselves out as LITTLE CAESARS franchisees.
`
`Defendants’ continued, unauthorized use and enjoyment of Little Caesar’s
`
`confidential business system and the LITTLE CAESARS trademarks, trade name,
`
`and trade dress breaches the Franchise Agreements and violates the Lanham Act, 15
`
`U.S.C. §§ 1114, et seq. Little Caesar seeks injunctive, monetary, and other relief
`
`against Defendants for the reasons set forth below.
`
`THE PARTIES
`
`1.
`
`Plaintiff Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc. is a Michigan corporation with
`
`its principal place of business in Detroit, Michigan. It is engaged in the business of
`
`franchising independent businesspersons to operate LITTLE CAESARS restaurants
`
`throughout the United States. Little Caesar’s franchisees are licensed to use the
`
`LITTLE CAESARS trade name, trademarks, and service marks and to operate under
`
`the LITTLE CAESARS System, which involves the production, merchandising, and
`
`sale of pizza, chicken wings, and related products utilizing special equipment,
`
`equipment layouts, interior and exterior accessories, identification schemes,
`
`products, management programs, standards, specifications, proprietary marks, and
`
`information.
`
`2.
`
`Plaintiff LC Trademarks, Inc. is a Michigan corporation with its
`
`principal place of business in Detroit, Michigan. LC Trademarks, Inc. is the owner
`
`
`
`2
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`

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`Case 2:22-cv-10128-SFC-APP ECF No. 1, PageID.3 Filed 01/21/22 Page 3 of 19
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`of the trademark, service mark, and trade name “LITTLE CAESARS,” and related
`
`marks. It licenses these marks to Plaintiff Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc., which in
`
`turn licenses them to LITTLE CAESARS franchisees.
`
`3.
`
`Defendant Gurmoh, Inc. is a Washington corporation with a principal
`
`place of business in Burien, Washington. Gurmoh owned five LITTLE CAESARS
`
`franchises located in and around Seattle, Washington (Store Nos. 1475-0001, 1475-
`
`0002, 1475-0003, 1475-0005, and 1475-0006), pursuant to Franchise Agreements
`
`with Little Caesar. It operated three of those franchises (Store Nos. 1475-0001,
`
`1475-0002, and 1475-0003). The owners of Gurmoh are Defendants Atma Singh
`
`Jassal and Mohan Jassal, each a citizen and resident of Washington.
`
`4.
`
`ABW Foods, LLC is a Washington limited liability company with a
`
`principal place of business in Lynnwood, Washington. ABW Foods operated two of
`
`Gurmoh’s LITTLE CAESARS franchises (Store Nos. 1475-0005 and 1475-0006).
`
`The members of ABW are Defendants Atma Singh Jassal and Mohan Jassal. No
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`member of ABW is a citizen of the state of Michigan.
`
`5.
`
`Defendant Atma Singh Jassal is a natural person and a citizen and
`
`resident of the State of Washington. Atma Singh Jassal is an owner of Gurmoh and
`
`ABW and personally guaranteed their obligations under their Franchise Agreements
`
`with Little Caesar pursuant to executed personal guarantees.
`
`6.
`
`Defendant Mohan Jassal is a natural person and a citizen and resident
`
`
`
`3
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`Case 2:22-cv-10128-SFC-APP ECF No. 1, PageID.4 Filed 01/21/22 Page 4 of 19
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`of the State of Washington. Mohan Jassal is an owner of Gurmoh and ABW and
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`personally guaranteed their obligations under their Franchise Agreements with Little
`
`Caesar pursuant to executed personal guarantees.
`
`7.
`
`Defendant Gurjeet Jassal is a natural person and a citizen and resident
`
`of the State of Washington. Gurjeet Jassal personally guaranteed the obligations of
`
`Gurmoh and ABW under their Franchise Agreements with Little Caesar pursuant to
`
`executed personal guarantees.
`
`8.
`
`Defendants Gurmoh, Inc., ABW Foods, LLC, Atma Singh Jassal,
`
`Mohan Jassal, and Gurjeet Jassal are collectively referred to as “Gurmoh.”
`
`JURISDICTION AND VENUE
`
`9.
`
`This Court has jurisdiction pursuant to §§ 34(a) and 39 of the Lanham
`
`Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 1116 & 1121; and 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331, 1332, 1338, & 1367(a). The
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`amount in controversy exceeds $75,000, exclusive of interest and costs, and no
`
`defendant shares a state of citizenship with any plaintiff.
`
`10. This Court has in personam jurisdiction over Defendants because they
`
`conduct business in this district and the events giving rise to Little Caesar’s claims
`
`occurred in this district.
`
`11. Venue is proper in this district pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1391(b) and the
`
`venue provision contained in the parties’ Franchise Agreements.
`
`
`
`4
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`

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`Case 2:22-cv-10128-SFC-APP ECF No. 1, PageID.5 Filed 01/21/22 Page 5 of 19
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`BACKGROUND FACTS
`
`Little Caesar
`
`12. Plaintiff Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc. is the franchisor of the LITTLE
`
`CAESARS System.
`
`13. Plaintiff LC Trademarks, Inc. owns numerous federal registrations for
`
`the mark “LITTLE CAESARS” and related marks. Among those registrations are
`
`Registration Nos. 2036763, 2028607, 2259637, 3904450, 3925216, and others. Each
`
`of these registrations is in full force and effect.
`
`14. Plaintiff Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc. has the exclusive license to use
`
`and to license others to use the LITTLE CAESARS marks and trade name and has
`
`used them at all times relevant to this action to identify its restaurants and the pizza
`
`and other products associated with those restaurants.
`
`15. The trade dress of LITTLE CAESARS restaurants includes the signage,
`
`lettering style, color scheme, exterior appearance, floor plans, and décor (including,
`
`without limitation, menu boards, display racks, and servers’ uniforms) that are
`
`featured at the restaurants operated by LITTLE CAESARS franchisees.
`
`16. The LITTLE CAESARS
`
`trade dress consists of arbitrary
`
`embellishments primarily adopted for the purpose of identification and individuality,
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`and is nonfunctional.
`
`17. The LITTLE CAESARS trademarks and trade dress are utilized in
`
`
`
`5
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`Case 2:22-cv-10128-SFC-APP ECF No. 1, PageID.6 Filed 01/21/22 Page 6 of 19
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`interstate commerce.
`
`The Parties’ Rights And Obligations Under The Franchise Agreements
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`18. Gurmoh was formerly licensed to use the LITTLE CAESARS
`
`trademarks, trade name, trade dress, and business system in accordance with the
`
`terms of its Franchise Agreements with Little Caesar.
`
`19. Among those terms was the obligation to comply with Little Caesar’s
`
`recordkeeping and reporting requirements, including but not limited to the
`
`obligations to:
`
`a.
`
`Prepare and preserve for at least four years, complete and
`
`accurate books, records, and accounts in accordance with generally accepted
`
`accounting principles and in the form and manner prescribed by Little Caesar.
`
`(Franchise Agreement § 11.1.)1
`
`b.
`
`Provide Little Caesar with copies of financial statements
`
`showing the results of the operations of its LITTLE CAESARS franchises, within
`
`sixty days of the end of each fiscal year of the restaurants, in addition to state and
`
`federal tax returns related to its operation of its LITTLE CAESARS franchises,
`
`
`1 Because the Franchise Agreements were executed in different years, the wording
`of and/or the section numbers for the provisions cited in this Complaint may vary
`from one Franchise Agreement to the other; however, the provisions are materially
`the same for the purposes of the Complaint. For ease of reference, the citations
`contained in this Complaint can be found in the most recent Franchise Agreement
`(the Franchise Agreement for Franchise No. 1475-0006).
`
`
`
`6
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`Case 2:22-cv-10128-SFC-APP ECF No. 1, PageID.7 Filed 01/21/22 Page 7 of 19
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`within five days of their filing. (Id. § 11.2.)
`
`c.
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`Provide Little Caesar, on forms and in the manner prescribed by
`
`Little Caesar: (i) weekly reports of gross sales; (ii) financial statements on a quarterly
`
`basis, within thirty days after the end of each quarter; and (iii) such other data and
`
`information regarding the operation of its LITTLE CAESARS franchises as Little
`
`Caesar may require, within the time frames established by Little Caesar. (Id. § 11.3.)
`
`d.
`
`Provide Little Caesar, for review or auditing, such additional
`
`forms, sales reports, records, information, and data as Little Caesar may reasonably
`
`request, on the forms and in the manner as are reasonably requested by Little Caesar.
`
`(Id. § 11.4.)
`
`20. Furthermore, Gurmoh agreed that Little Caesar had the right to audit
`
`the books and records of its LITTLE CAESARS franchises at any time. (Id. § 11.5.)
`
`21. Gurmoh agreed that the failure to comply with the terms of the
`
`Franchise Agreements would constitute a default under the Agreements and that
`
`Little Caesar had the right to terminate the Agreements if Gurmoh failed to cure a
`
`default within the time required under the Agreements. (Id. § 13.3.)
`
`22. Gurmoh agreed that under certain circumstances Little Caesar had the
`
`right to immediately terminate the Franchise Agreements without providing an
`
`opportunity to cure, including if Gurmoh:
`
`a.
`
`Refused to permit Little Caesar to inspect its books and records
`
`
`
`7
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`

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`Case 2:22-cv-10128-SFC-APP ECF No. 1, PageID.8 Filed 01/21/22 Page 8 of 19
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`pursuant to Little Caesar’s right to do so under the Franchise Agreements (id.
`
`§ 13.2.19); or
`
`b.
`
`Breached any material term of the Franchise Agreements that
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`was not by its nature curable, or that went to the essence of the Agreements (id.
`
`§ 13.2.22).
`
`23.
`
`In addition, Gurmoh agreed that Little Caesar had the right to terminate
`
`any other Franchise Agreement between Gurmoh or any of its affiliates and Little
`
`Caesar in the event that a Franchise Agreement between Gurmoh or its affiliate and
`
`Little Caesar was terminated for a default under that agreement. (Id. §§ 13.2.21,
`
`13.4.)
`
`24. Furthermore, under the terms of the Franchise Agreements, Gurmoh
`
`agreed that its right to use Little Caesar’s proprietary marks was limited to uses
`
`authorized by the Franchise Agreements, and that “any unauthorized use thereof
`
`shall constitute an infringement.” (Id. § 7.2.5.)
`
`25.
`
`It agreed that it would use Little Caesar’s proprietary marks, including
`
`but not limited to Little Caesar’s trademarks, trade names, service marks, logos,
`
`emblems, trade dress, and other indicia of origin, “only in the manner authorized and
`
`permitted by Little Caesar.” (Id. § 7.2.1.)
`
`26. Gurmoh was permitted to use Little Caesar’s proprietary marks only in
`
`accordance with the LITTLE CAESARS System and the related standards and
`
`
`
`8
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`

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`Case 2:22-cv-10128-SFC-APP ECF No. 1, PageID.9 Filed 01/21/22 Page 9 of 19
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`specifications, which “underlie the goodwill associated with and symbolized by the
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`[p]roprietary [m]arks.” (Id. § 7.1.3.)
`
`27. And it agreed that, during the term of the Franchise Agreements and
`
`after termination, it would not take any action “which may tend to derogate or
`
`jeopardize Little Caesar’s interest” in Little Caesar’s proprietary marks. (Id. § 7.3.2.)
`
`Gurmoh also covenanted not to “do or perform any other act injurious or prejudicial
`
`to the goodwill associated with the [p]roprietary [m]arks” and the LITTLE
`
`CAESARS System. (Id. § 15.2.1.)
`
`Defendants’ Post-Termination Obligations
`
`28. Gurmoh agreed that, in the event that its Franchise Agreements were
`
`terminated, it would “immediately cease to operate” the restaurants and would not
`
`thereafter, directly or indirectly, “represent to the public or hold itself out as a present
`
`or former franchisee of Little Caesar.” (Franchise Agreement § 14.1.)
`
`29.
`
`In addition, it agreed that it would immediately and permanently cease
`
`to use, in any manner whatsoever, any products, ingredients, trade secrets,
`
`confidential methods, procedures, and techniques associated with the LITTLE
`
`CAESARS System and/or proprietary marks. (Id. § 14.2.)
`
`30.
`
`It also agreed to return to Little Caesar all of Little Caesar’s confidential
`
`manuals and other confidential information. (Id. § 14.9.)
`
`31. Gurmoh agreed that, upon termination of the Franchise Agreements, it
`
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`9
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`Case 2:22-cv-10128-SFC-APP ECF No. 1, PageID.10 Filed 01/21/22 Page 10 of 19
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`would not use “any designation of origin or description or representation which
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`falsely suggests or represents an association or connection with Little Caesar.” (Id
`
`§ 14.5.)
`
`32. And it agreed to take any actions necessary to cancel any assumed name
`
`or equivalent registration that contains the LITTLE CAESARS Proprietary Marks,
`
`as the term is defined in the Franchise Agreements, and to furnish evidence of
`
`compliance within thirty days after the termination of the Agreements. (Id. § 14.3.)
`
`33. Under
`
`the Franchise Agreements, Gurmoh agreed
`
`that, upon
`
`termination, Little Caesar would have the option to purchase any or all of the
`
`furnishings, equipment, signs, fixtures, or supplies related to the operation of its
`
`franchised restaurants. In addition, it agreed to assign to Little Caesar, at its request,
`
`any interests it had in any lease for the restaurant premises. (Id. §§ 14.4, 14.10.)
`
`34. Gurmoh also agreed to a reasonable post-termination covenant against
`
`competition, which states that it may not, directly or indirectly, for itself or through,
`
`on behalf of, or in conjunction with any person, persons, or legal entity “own,
`
`maintain, advise, operate, engage in, be employed by, make loans to, or have any
`
`interest in or relationship or association with a business which is a quick or fast
`
`service restaurant engaged in the sale of pizza, pasta, sandwiches, chicken wings,
`
`and/or related products,” for a continuous uninterrupted period of one year following
`
`the termination of the Franchise Agreements (or a final court order regarding the
`
`
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`10
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`

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`Case 2:22-cv-10128-SFC-APP ECF No. 1, PageID.11 Filed 01/21/22 Page 11 of 19
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`same), in any Designated Market Area of any LITTLE CAESARS restaurant, and
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`for a continuous uninterrupted period of two years following the termination of the
`
`Franchise Agreements (or a final court order regarding the same), in the Designated
`
`Market Area(s) in which its former LITTLE CAESARS restaurants are located. (Id.
`
`§ 15.3.) Gurmoh further agreed that breaching this and any other covenants in the
`
`Franchise Agreements would cause Little Caesar irreparable injury for “which no
`
`adequate remedy at law may be available, and agree[d] to pay all court costs and
`
`attorneys’ fees incurred by Little Caesar in obtaining injunctive or other equitable
`
`legal relief . . . .” (Id. § 15.4.)
`
`35.
`
`It agreed that it would pay to Little Caesar and its affiliates all sums
`
`owed, and Little Caesar’s costs, expenses, and reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred
`
`by reason of any default or termination of the Franchise Agreements, or the
`
`enforcement of Gurmoh’s post-termination obligations. It also agreed to pay Little
`
`Caesar liquidated damages. (Id. §§ 14.6, 14.7, 14.8, 15.4, 23.9.)
`
`36. Pursuant to the personal guarantees attached as Exhibit A to the
`
`Franchise Agreements, Defendants Atma Singh Jassal, Mohan Jassal, and Gurjeet
`
`Jassal agreed to be personally bound by the covenants and obligations of the
`
`Franchise Agreements, including the obligation to pay Little Caesar and its affiliates
`
`and the obligation to comply with the post-termination covenant against
`
`competition.
`
`
`
`11
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`

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`Case 2:22-cv-10128-SFC-APP ECF No. 1, PageID.12 Filed 01/21/22 Page 12 of 19
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`Defendants’ Defaults Under Their Franchise Agreements
`And The Termination Of Their Franchise Agreements
`
`37.
`
`In early 2020, Gurmoh failed to submit its financial statements for the
`
`final quarter of 2019 to Little Caesar within thirty days after the end of the quarter,
`
`as required by the Franchise Agreements. Gurmoh then failed to submit any
`
`quarterly financial statements for 2020.
`
`38. As a result, on April 13, 2021, Little Caesar sent Gurmoh a Notice of
`
`Default and Notice to cure notifying Gurmoh that it was in default of its Franchise
`
`Agreements and that its Franchise Agreements would be terminated unless it
`
`produced its fourth-quarter 2019 and all 2020 quarterly financial statements within
`
`thirty days.
`
`39. Gurmoh failed to produce any of the quarterly financial statements.
`
`Accordingly, by Notice of Default and Notice of Franchise Agreement Termination
`
`dated June 7, 2021, Little Caesar terminated Gurmoh’s Franchise Agreements
`
`effective immediately upon Gurmoh’s receipt of the notice.
`
`40. The June 7 Notice informed Gurmoh that Little Caesar would not
`
`enforce the termination by itself, but instead would submit the matter to a court for
`
`judicial enforcement.
`
`41. Gurmoh elected to continue to operate its franchises pending judicial
`
`enforcement of the termination, but—consistent with its past nonperformance—
`
`failed to produce any financial statements for the first three quarters of 2021.
`
`
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`12
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`

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`Case 2:22-cv-10128-SFC-APP ECF No. 1, PageID.13 Filed 01/21/22 Page 13 of 19
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`42. Accordingly, by Supplemental Notice of Default and Notice of
`
`Franchise Agreement Termination dated December 8, 2021, Little Caesar informed
`
`Gurmoh that its new defaults provided additional grounds for the Franchise
`
`Agreements’ termination.
`
`43.
`
` The notice further stated that if Gurmoh contested any of the prior
`
`grounds for termination, it had 30 days from its receipt of the notice to cure its
`
`defaults by providing financial statements for 2020-2021, or its Franchise
`
`Agreements would be terminated.
`
`44. Gurmoh did not provide any of the outstanding financial statements.
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`Further, Gurmoh continues to operate its LITTLE CAESARS franchises, in violation
`
`of its post-termination obligations.
`
`45. Gurmoh’s actions have caused and continue to cause monetary damage
`
`and irreparable harm to Little Caesar, including harm to Little Caesar’s reputation
`
`and goodwill.
`
`COUNT I
`Breach of Contract
`46. The allegations of paragraphs 1 through 45 are hereby incorporated by
`
`reference.
`
`47. The conduct described in this Complaint constitutes material breaches
`
`of the contractual provisions of the Franchise Agreements cited herein, including the
`
`post-termination obligations.
`
`
`
`13
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`Case 2:22-cv-10128-SFC-APP ECF No. 1, PageID.14 Filed 01/21/22 Page 14 of 19
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`48. These breaches constitute good cause for terminating the Franchise
`
`Agreements.
`
`49. As a direct and proximate result of these actions, Little Caesar has
`
`suffered and is continuing to suffer irreparable injury, and has incurred and is
`
`continuing to incur monetary damages in an amount that has yet to be determined.
`
`COUNT II
`Trademark Infringement
`50. The allegations of paragraphs 1 through 49 are hereby incorporated by
`
`reference.
`
`51. The use in commerce of Little Caesar’s trademarks and trade names by
`
`the Defendants outside the scope of the Franchise Agreements and without Little
`
`Caesar’s consent is likely to confuse or deceive the public into believing, contrary
`
`to fact, that the unauthorized activities of the Defendants are licensed, franchised,
`
`sponsored, authorized, or otherwise approved by Little Caesar. Such unauthorized
`
`use of Little Caesar’s trademarks and trade names infringes its exclusive rights in its
`
`trademarks under § 32 of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1114, and applicable state
`
`law.
`
`52. The acts of the Defendants were and are being done knowingly and
`
`intentionally to cause confusion, or to cause mistake, or to deceive.
`
`53. As a direct and proximate result of the Defendants’ actions, Little
`
`Caesar has suffered and is continuing to suffer irreparable injury, and has incurred
`
`
`
`14
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`Case 2:22-cv-10128-SFC-APP ECF No. 1, PageID.15 Filed 01/21/22 Page 15 of 19
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`and is continuing to incur monetary damages in an amount that has yet to be
`
`determined.
`
`COUNT III
`Unfair Competition
`54. The allegations of paragraphs 1 through 53 are hereby incorporated by
`
`reference.
`
`55. The use in commerce of Little Caesar’s trademarks, trade names, and
`
`trade dress by the Defendants outside the scope of the Franchise Agreements and
`
`without the consent of Little Caesar is likely to cause confusion, or to cause mistake,
`
`or to deceive as to the origin, sponsorship, or approval of their goods, services, or
`
`commercial activities. Such unauthorized use of Little Caesar’s trademarks and trade
`
`names violates § 43 of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1125(a), and applicable state
`
`law.
`
`56. The acts of the Defendants were and are being done knowingly and
`
`intentionally to cause confusion, or to cause mistake, or to deceive.
`
`57. As a direct and proximate result of the Defendants’ actions, Little
`
`Caesar has suffered and is continuing to suffer irreparable injury, and has incurred
`
`and is continuing to incur monetary damages in an amount that has yet to be
`
`determined.
`
`
`
`
`
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`15
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`Case 2:22-cv-10128-SFC-APP ECF No. 1, PageID.16 Filed 01/21/22 Page 16 of 19
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`COUNT IV
`Trade Dress Infringement
`58. The allegations of paragraphs 1 through 57 are hereby incorporated by
`
`reference.
`
`59. The Defendants’ restaurants are
`
`identified by signs, exterior
`
`appearance, packaging, containers, and other items on which the LITTLE
`
`CAESARS proprietary marks appear in the same distinctive style and color scheme
`
`as Little Caesar uses for the pizza restaurants operated by Little Caesar’s licensees.
`
`60. The Defendants’ use of trade dress that is identical or confusingly
`
`similar to the LITTLE CAESARS trade dress outside the scope of the Franchise
`
`Agreements constitutes a false designation of the origin of the Defendants’
`
`restaurants, which is likely to cause confusion, or to cause mistake, or to deceive the
`
`public as to the affiliation, connection, or association of their restaurants with the
`
`LITTLE CAESARS restaurants operated by Little Caesar’s licensees. Such adoption
`
`of Little Caesar’s trade dress violates § 43 of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1125,
`
`and the common law.
`
`61. The Defendants’ acts were and are being done knowingly and
`
`intentionally to cause confusion, or to cause mistake, or to deceive.
`
`62. As a result of the Defendants’ actions, Little Caesar has suffered and is
`
`continuing to suffer irreparable injury, and has incurred and is continuing to incur
`
`monetary damages in an amount that has yet to be determined.
`
`
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`16
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`Case 2:22-cv-10128-SFC-APP ECF No. 1, PageID.17 Filed 01/21/22 Page 17 of 19
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`PRAYER FOR RELIEF
`
`WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs pray that this Court:
`
`A.
`
`Enter a declaratory judgment holding that Defendants’ conduct violated
`
`the terms of the Franchise Agreements and constitutes good cause for terminating
`
`the Franchise Agreements;
`
`B.
`
`Enter an injunctive order ratifying and enforcing the termination of the
`
`Franchise Agreements as of the effective date of Little Caesar’s Notice of Franchise
`
`Agreement Termination, or as otherwise provided by applicable law;
`
`C.
`
`Enter an order enjoining Defendants, and all those acting by, through,
`
`or in concert with them, by preliminary and permanent injunction, from using the
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`LITTLE CAESARS trademarks, trade names, and trade dress, and from otherwise
`
`engaging in unfair competition with Little Caesar;
`
`D.
`
`Enter an injunctive order directing Defendants, and all those acting by,
`
`through, or in concert with them, to comply with all applicable post-termination
`
`obligations as provided in the Franchise Agreements, including but not limited to
`
`promptly paying all sums owed to Little Caesar and its affiliates, complying with the
`
`post-termination noncompete, complying with any request from Little Caesar to
`
`purchase any equipment or other assets of the franchise, and taking all steps to
`
`transfer their leasehold interests in the franchise to Little Caesar or its designee in
`
`the event that Little Caesar elects to exercise any rights it or any of its affiliates or
`
`
`
`17
`
`

`

`Case 2:22-cv-10128-SFC-APP ECF No. 1, PageID.18 Filed 01/21/22 Page 18 of 19
`
`subsidiaries might have in such interests;
`
`E. Award Plaintiffs judgment against Defendants for the damages
`
`Plaintiffs have sustained and the profits Defendants have derived as a result of their
`
`trademark infringement, trade dress infringement, and unfair competition, assessing
`
`such damages in a separate accounting procedure, and then trebling those damages
`
`in accordance with Section 35 of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1117;
`
`F.
`
`Enter judgment in favor of Plaintiffs for the damages they have
`
`suffered, including liquidated damages as provided for by the Franchise Agreements,
`
`as a result of Defendants’ conduct, plus prejudgment interest allowed by law;
`
`G. Award Plaintiffs their costs and attorneys’ fees incurred in connection
`
`with this action, pursuant to the Franchise Agreements and Section 35 of the Lanham
`
`Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1117, including the costs incurred in conducting any and all
`
`necessary inspections; and
`
`H. Award Plaintiffs such other relief in its favor as this Court may deem
`
`just and proper.
`
`
`
`
`
`18
`
`

`

`Case 2:22-cv-10128-SFC-APP ECF No. 1, PageID.19 Filed 01/21/22 Page 19 of 19
`
`Dated: January 21, 2022
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`/s/Larry J. Saylor
`
`Larry J. Saylor (P28165)
`Kimberly A. Berger (P56165)
`MILLER, CANFIELD, PADDOCK
` & STONE P.L.C.
`150 West Jefferson Avenue, Suite 2500
`Detroit, Michigan 48226
`Telephone: (313) 496-7986
`Facsimile: (313) 496-8454
`Saylor@millercanfield.com
`Berger@millercanfield.com
`
`Robert L. Zisk (admitted in E.D. Mich.)
`Justin L. Sallis (admitted in E.D. Mich.)
`LATHROP GPM LLP
`The Watergate
`600 New Hampshire Avenue, N.W. – Suite 700
`Washington, D.C. 20037
`Telephone: (202) 295-2200
`Facsimile: (202) 295-2250
`robert.zisk@lathropgpm.com
`justin.sallis@lathropgpm.com
`
`Attorneys for Plaintiffs
`
`19
`
`

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