Dunkin’ Donuts is suing one of its local shop owners, accusing him of failing to remodel a Newport News store as required and continuing to run his shop as a Dunkin’ Donuts even after the company terminated his franchise rights.
The company says in a federal lawsuit that it revoked Rohit Gandhi’s right to operate his store – 12753 Jefferson Ave., just north of Turnberry Boulevard in Denbigh – in January 2006, but that he’s acting as if nothing has changed.
“To date, Defendants have refused to accept termination and continue to operate their shop as if they were licensed franchisees,” according to the suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Norfolk last week.
“Defendants’ use of the Dunkin’ Donuts trademarks, trade names and trade dress outside the scope of the Franchise Agreement is likely to confuse or deceive the public into believing, contrary to fact, that their shop is licensed, franchised, sponsored, authorized or otherwise approved by Dunkin’.”
Gandhi owns the shop, as well as three others in the area, under the corporate name United Restaurant Association Inc.
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