THOMAS J. RUETER, United States Magistrate Judge.
Presently before the court is plaintiff's Motion for Preliminary Injunction (the
1. Plaintiff operates a retail indoor tanning salon franchise system and has registered its mark "Tantopia" with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (the "Tantopia Mark"). (Pl.'s FF No. 7.)
2. On October 24, 2002, plaintiff entered into a Franchise Agreement ("Franchise Agreement") with defendant West Coast Tans of PA, LLC ("West Coast Tans") for the operation of a Tantopia salon located at 2118 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (the "Philadelphia Salon"). (Pl.'s FF No. 8.) The term of the Franchise Agreement was for ten years. West Coast Tans was owned by Donald Weiss and his son, Richard Weiss.
3. Paragraph 17.3 of the Franchise Agreement contained a non-compete provision (the "Non-Compete Covenant") which stated as follows:
4. The parties agree that under the terms of the Franchise Agreement, the Non-Compete Covenant would expire on or about October 23, 2014. (Pl.'s FF No. 33.)
6. Donald and Richard Weiss also executed a Confidentiality and Non-Competition Agreement. See Franchise Agreement Ex. B. The Confidentiality and Non-Competition Agreement contains a non-compete covenant almost identical to the Non-Compete Covenant in the Franchise Agreement. At the Hearing, the parties focused their attention and argument on the Non-Compete Covenant in the Franchise Agreement. The court will do so in this Memorandum of Decision.
7. West Coast Tans operated the Philadelphia Salon until January 31, 2010, when it filed a form with the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue to go out of business. (Ex. D-36.) The Philadelphia Salon was operated by West Coast Tans inside a leasehold space of an entity known as Valley Video Entertainment, LLC ("Valley Video"). Valley Video was the lessee under the lease for the Philadelphia Salon. As a result of defaults under the lease, the lease for the space was terminated on December 1, 2009, and Valley Video and West Coast Tans ceased all operations at the Philadelphia Salon and abandoned all personalty located therein.
8. West Coast Tans did not inform plaintiff that it went out of existence or that the Philadelphia Salon ceased operations.
9. On December 1, 2009, CTG Group, LLC ("CTG") entered into a lease for a portion of the space at the Philadelphia Salon that had been surrendered by Valley Video and began to operate a tanning business under the name Tantopia, as well as a massage and anti-aging business under the unregistered names iMassage and iSpa. CTG was created on November 9, 2009. (Ex. P-12.) The assets of West Coast Tans were transferred to CTG in or about January 2010.
10. West Coast Tans did not inform plaintiff that CTG was the successor entity to West Coast Tans or that CTG was operating a Tantopia business at the Philadelphia Salon.
11. As noted supra ¶ 2, West Coast Tans was owned by Donald and Richard Weiss. CTG was owned ninety percent (90%) by Rosalind Weiss (wife of Donald Weiss) and ten percent (10%) by Richard Weiss.
12. CTG operated the Philadelphia Salon until October 26, 2012.
13. The Franchise Agreement expired on October 23, 2012.
14. By letter dated November 13, 2012 addressed to Donald and Richard Weiss and West Coast Tans, plaintiff exercised its option under section 16.8 of the Franchise Agreement to purchase the equipment used at the Philadelphia Salon. (Ex. P-2.) At the Hearing, counsel for defendants acknowledged that plaintiff exercised this option in a timely manner as required by the Franchise Agreement. Defendants did not fulfill their obligations under the Franchise Agreement when plaintiff exercised of this option.
15. In late summer/early fall of 2012, Donald Weiss realized that he would not be able to continue to operate the business at the Philadelphia Salon due to issues with the landlord. He attempted to find another location for the business. Donald
16. On August 24, 2012, a Sheriff's Determination in Favor of Property Claim was filed in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County. (Ex. P-14.) The personal property at the Philadelphia Salon (including the video business), valued at $17,195, was determined to be owned by CTG. According to Exhibit P-14, the value of the tanning equipment at the Philadelphia Salon was $9,255 as of June, 2012.
17. On November 5, 2012, TMA International LLC ("TMA") was created. (Ex. P-17.) The evidence does not reveal who created TMA.
18. On September 10, 2012, pursuant to a Bill of Sale, the tanning equipment, computer equipment, massage equipment, store fixtures and tanning and massage lotion inventory were sold by CTG to TMA for $3,000. (Ex. P-6.)
19. Donald Weiss contacted Bernard Kanefsky ("Kanefsky"), the agent for the landlord at Redwood Village Shopping Center, Southampton, PA, inquiring about rental space located at 261 Second Street Pike (the "Southampton Salon"). (Kanefsky Dep. at 9-10.)
20. In order for TMA to obtain funds to open the Southampton Salon, Donald Weiss contacted Jules Gardner, an old friend. (Gardner Dep. at 12.) Mr. Gardner testified that Donald Weiss is a friend and he dated Donald's daughter a few times. Id. at 7, 9. From the 1990's
21. In fall 2012, Donald Weiss asked Mr. Gardner for a $60,000 loan. Id. at 12. Mr. Gardner's accountant prepared a promissory note identifying Donald Weiss as the borrower (the "Note"). (Ex. P-5.) The Note is dated September 19, 2012. Id. Mr. Gardner delivered the Note to Donald Weiss at a bank. (Gardner Dep. at 14.) Donald Weiss directed Mr. Gardner to cross out Donald's name on the Note and replace it with TMA International, LLC. Id. at 14-15. Donald Weiss directed Mr. Gardner to make the check payable to TMA. Id. at 18-19. TMA was not officially formed until November 5, 2012. (Ex. P-17.) But see Defs.' FF No. 35 (TMA formed October 15, 2012). Connors executed the Note on October 18, 2012. The first time Mr. Gardner saw the Note with Connor's signature and various handwritten "cross outs" on the bottom of the Note was at his deposition on January 4, 2013. Id. at 18. Mr. Gardner did not meet Connors, nor did he negotiate the loan with Connors. The first payment under the Note is due September 2013. (Ex. P-5.)
22. The Southampton Salon is located 3/10 of a mile from a Tantopia business operated by Tantopia Tanning Centers Inc. at 511 Second Street Pike, Southampton, PA ("Tantopia Tanning Center Southampton Salon") and within five miles of a Tantopia business being operated at 771 Huntingdon Pike, Rockledge, PA (the "Rockledge Salon").
23. The Southampton Salon will offer tanning services identical to those provided by these two salons, plus massage and anti-aging services and products. Counsel for defendants stated that approximately fifty percent (50%) of Southampton Salon's business will be tanning services.
24. At the time of her deposition on January 4, 2012, Shawna Brady worked as the manager of the Tantopia Tanning Center Southampton Salon. (Brady Dep. at 7-8.) On November 12, 2012, Ms. Brady walked to the Southampton Salon and saw a Tantopia sign and uninstalled Tantopia tanning booth doors at the location. Id. at 15, 19.
25. On November 12, 2012, Ms. Brady spoke to Donald Weiss at the Southampton Salon and asked about applying for a job. Id. at 29. Donald Weiss identified himself as the owner of the Southampton Salon, told Ms. Brady about the prices and showed her around the location. Id. at 29-30, 33. Richard Weiss and Connors also were present at the Southampton Salon. Id. at 29. Richard Weiss was on the computer and his cell phone; Connors handed Ms. Brady an employment application. Id. at 33-34.
26. As of the date hereof, TMA has not begun operating a tanning business at the Southampton Salon. (Defs.' FF No. 51.)
27. Plaintiff has one registered trademark for the word "Tantopia."
28. Plaintiff does not own or maintain any registered trademark for any logo, color pattern or trade dress.
29. TMA has never used, and confirmed at the Hearing that it will not use, the Tantopia Mark in the operation of its business.
30. Plaintiff has never offered massage or anti-aging services. Plaintiff offers tanning services and related tanning products.
31. In January 2010, the assets of West Coast Tans were transferred to CTG.
32. In February 2010, Donald Weiss filed for bankruptcy protection and he received a discharge on April 7, 2011.
33. At the Hearing, counsel for defendant Donald Weiss acknowledged that Donald did not list his obligations to plaintiff under the Franchise Agreement or the Guarantee, or any other obligations to plaintiff, on his bankruptcy schedules, and did not notify plaintiff of his bankruptcy filing.
34. After the instant action was filed in this court, Richard Weiss filed for bankruptcy protection on December 12, 2012. The automatic stay imposed by the bankruptcy filing stays action by this court against defendant Richard Weiss in the instant matter.
35. In an Amended Complaint (Doc. No. 25) filed January 8, 2013, plaintiff asserts eight claims against various of the defendants:
36. As set forth in detail in the court's Finding of Fact No. 3, section 17.3 of the Franchise Agreement contains the Non-Compete Covenant to which Donald and Richard Weiss are bound.
37. There is no dispute that, for the purposes of the Non-Compete Covenant, the Tantopia Tanning Center Southampton Salon and the Rockledge Salon are businesses operating under plaintiff's proprietary trademark, and the Southampton Salon is within ten miles of these two business.
38. This court finds that at the Hearing defendant Connors did not testify credibly with respect to the creation and operations of the Southampton Salon.
39. This court finds that at the Hearing defendants Donald Weiss and Richard Weiss did not testify credibly with respect to the creation and operations of the Southampton Salon.
40. It is undisputed that if Donald Weiss or Richard Weiss were operating the Southampton Salon, they would be in violation of the Non-Compete Covenant. Donald Weiss previously had been employed in the sale of franchises. He knew that he and his son could not operate Southampton Salon in their names or in the name of any related company.
41. Donald Weiss, Richard Weiss, West Coast Tans and CTG have embarked on a
42. Connors would have been unable to enter into the contracts required to open and run the Southampton Salon without assistance, financial, business advice or otherwise, from Donald Weiss and Richard Weiss. Donald Weiss secured the Southampton location for the Southampton Salon and the $60,000 loan/gift from Mr. Gardner, and identified himself as the owner of the business. CTG, owned by Richard Weiss and Rosalind Weiss, sold the assets of the Philadelphia Salon, valued on June 15, 2012 at $9,255, see Ex. P-14, to TMA for $3,000. TMA never paid the purchase price to CTG for the assets and Richard Weiss testified that he does not expect Connors to pay CTG any money for these assets. Donald Weiss has been seen at the Southampton Salon on numerous occasions setting up the business and speaking with an architect. Richard Weiss has been seen at the Southampton Salon on numerous occasions setting up the business and working the cash register, see Ex. P-27 (cash register receipt from Southampton Salon identifying "Rich Weiss" as the "Main Drawer"). These actions by Donald and Richard Weiss violate the Non-Compete Covenant.
43. Connors is acting as a figurehead or straw man for Donald and Richard Weiss to mask their ownership or control of the Southampton Salon.
Plaintiff moved for a preliminary injunction seeking to enjoin defendants from, inter alia: (1) operating, marketing, promoting, or selling indoor tanning salon services and products through and with the Tantopia Mark at the Southampton Salon or the Philadelphia Salon; (2) violating the Non-Compete Covenant; and (3) using any of the furnishings, equipment, supplies or inventory formerly used at the Philadelphia Salon. See Doc. No. 2. The standard for evaluating a motion for a preliminary injunction involves a four-part inquiry: (1) whether the movant has shown a reasonable probability of success on the merits; (2) whether the movant will be irreparably injured by denial of relief; (3) whether granting preliminary relief will result in even greater harm to the nonmoving party; and (4) whether granting the relief will be in the public interest. See United States v. Bell, 414 F.3d 474, 478 n. 4 (3d Cir.2005); Pappan Enter., Inc. v. Hardee's Food Sys., Inc., 143 F.3d 800, 803 (3d Cir.1998). The movant bears the burden of establishing every element in its favor. P.C. Yonkers, Inc. v. Celebrations the Party & Seasonal Superstore, LLC, 428 F.3d 504, 508 (3d Cir.2005). The court need not grant the total relief sought by plaintiff, but may mold its decree to meet the exigencies of the particular case. 11A Charles Alan Wright, Arthur R. Miller & Mary Kay Kane, Federal Practice and Procedure § 2947 at 123 (2d ed. 1995) ("Wright & Miller").
The court finds that plaintiff has demonstrated a reasonable probability of success on the merits of its claim of violation of the Non-Compete Covenant in the Franchise Agreement. See Am. Complaint Count II.
Defendants do not contest the first two factors above.
As noted above, the parties do not dispute that if Donald Weiss and Richard Weiss were operating the Southampton Salon, they would be in violation of the Non-Compete Covenant. This court finds that Donald Weiss and Richard Weiss are operating the Southampton Salon through TMA and Connors. As summarized above, Connors would have been unable to enter into the contracts required to open and run the Southampton Salon without assistance from Donald Weiss and Richard Weiss. Donald Weiss secured the location for the Southampton Salon, the $60,000 loan from Mr. Gardner and has identified himself as the owner of the business. CTG, owned by Richard Weiss and Rosalind Weiss, sold the assets of the Philadelphia Salon, valued on June 15, 2012 at $9,255 to TMA for $3,000. See Ex. P-14. TMA never paid the purchase price to CTG for the assets, and Richard Weiss testified that he does not expect Connors or TMA to pay any money for these assets.
Defendants assert that Donald Weiss and Richard Weiss should be permitted to provide advice to Connors. However, the Non-Compete Covenant provides otherwise. The Non-Compete Covenant specifically provides that Donald Weiss and Richard Weiss may not
Franchise Agreement section 17.3.4 (emphasis added). Courts considering this issue have held that the purpose of restrictive covenants is to protect against the use of capital in a competing business as well as the skill and expertise of the individual in question.
In Stone v. Stone, 64 Pa.Super. 392 (1916), the defendant sold his interest in a bottling business to his partner and was subject to a non-compete covenant prohibiting him from "enter[ing] into any such business in said city." Id. at *1. During the term of the covenant, the defendant became a manager of his brother's competing bottling business, arguing that since his brother was the owner of the business, the defendant was not in violation of the covenant. The court noted that there was "testimony sufficient to warrant the inference that [the defendant] was the real owner of the business," but proceeded on the assumption that the defendant was merely the manager. Id. The court concluded that the defendant was in violation of the covenant and stated as follows:
Id.
In view of the manifest language and purpose of the Non-Compete Covenant, the covenant requires not only that Donald Weiss and Richard Weiss refrain from employing their capital in a competing business, but also should refrain from employing their skill and experience in any capacity in a business similar to plaintiff's business.
In addition to defendants West Coast Tans, CTG, Donald Weiss and Richard Weiss, plaintiff's claim for violation of the Non-Compete Covenant also is pled against TMA and Connors. It is well-established
Case law and the language of the Non-Compete Covenant prohibit Donald Weiss and Richard Weiss, West Coast Tans and CTG from providing any assistance to TMA at the Southampton Salon. The actions of Donald and Richard Weiss detailed above amount to nothing more than mere subterfuge to avoid their obligations under the Non-Compete Covenant. Moreover, the court finds that the evidence weighs in favor of finding that TMA and Connors are a mere continuation of, or straw man for, Donald and Richard Weiss, West Coast Tans and CTG. For these reasons, this court finds that plaintiff has demonstrated a reasonable probability of success on the merits of its claim for violation of the Non-Compete Covenant in Count II of the Amended Complaint.
The second factor a court must consider before granting preliminary injunctive relief is the extent to which plaintiff will suffer irreparable injury if injunctive relief is denied. "To obtain injunctive relief, the plaintiff must make a clear showing of `immediate irreparable injury' or a `presently existing actual threat.'" Chicago Title Ins. Co. v. Lexington & Concord Search and Abstract, LLC, 513 F.Supp.2d 304, 319 (E.D.Pa.2007) (quoting Acierno v. New Castle Cnty., 40 F.3d 645, 655 (3d Cir.1994)). An applicant for injunctive relief must demonstrate that "absent the issuance of the preliminary injunction, the plaintiff will suffer harm that cannot be sufficiently redressed following a trial on the matter." Id. (citing Acierno, 40 F.3d at 653). Irreparable harm is injury that cannot adequately be compensated by monetary damages. "Grounds for irreparable injury include loss of control of reputation, loss of trade, and loss of goodwill." Pappan, 143 F.3d at 805.
In the instant case, plaintiff has demonstrated that it will suffer irreparable harm if the preliminary injunction is denied. Plaintiff has an interest in the goodwill its franchise has created. The court in Jiffy Lube Int'l, Inc. v. Weiss Bros., Inc., 834 F.Supp. 683 (D.N.J.1993), applying New Jersey law, emphasized "that the primary
Plaintiff also has as an interest in being able to place a new franchise in the area where the goodwill has been created.
Plaintiff also has suffered irreparable harm to the extent that the Southampton Salon intends to offer tanning services that will directly compete with the services offered by the Tantopia Tanning Center Southampton Salon and the Rockledge Salon. Ms. Brady testified at her deposition that customers at the Tantopia Tanning Center Southampton Salon had asked her about the Southampton Salon, and that one customer mentioned that her mother had purchased three months of tanning at the Southampton Salon. (Brady Dep. at 8-9.) Defendants are correct that the Southampton Salon has yet to provide tanning services and, therefore, the exact number of customers the other salon will lose, if any, is unknown. This is not fatal to plaintiff's claim of irreparable harm. Irreparable harm for the purposes of a preliminary injunction can be established by showing a likelihood of such harm. A leading commentator has explained as follows:
11A Wright & Miller, § 2948.1 at 153-56 (footnotes omitted). Pennsylvania courts have held that interference with customer relationships satisfies the irreparable harm requirement. See Coventry First, LLC v. Ingrassia, 2005 WL 1625042, at *11 (E.D.Pa. July 11, 2005) (applicant demonstrated threat to its customer relationships) (citation omitted). See also Multi-Channel TV Cable Co. v. Charlottesville Quality Cable Operating Co., 22 F.3d 546, 552 (4th Cir.1994) ("[W]hen the failure to grant preliminary relief creates the possibility of permanent loss of customers to a competitor or the loss of goodwill, the irreparable injury prong is satisfied.") (citations omitted).
Lastly, plaintiff has demonstrated that it will suffer irreparable harm in that permitting former franchisees to violate terms of a franchise agreement, including the Non-Compete Covenant, will set poor precedent for other franchisees. At the time of the Hearing, plaintiff had three franchisees whose franchise agreements are set to expire in the near future. If plaintiff fails to enforce the Non-Compete Covenant in the instant Franchise Agreement, other franchisees will be encouraged to violate such covenants. See Jiffy Lube Int'l, 834 F.Supp. at 693 ("[P]laintiff may suffer irreparable harm if it is prevented from enforcing the provisions of a Franchise Agreement similar to one signed by all of its franchisees.... Were plaintiffs not allowed to terminate an errant franchisee... other franchisees would get the message that they could defraud with impunity."); Athlete's Foot Mktg. Assocs., Inc. v. Zell Inv., Inc., 2000 WL 426186, at *7 (W.D.Pa. Feb. 17, 2000) ("Other ... franchisees whose franchise agreements are coming up for renewal in the future may be watching to see if [the defendant] is permitted to breach its non-compete covenant, which would establish a potentially catastrophic precedent and a `domino' effect whereby a series of franchisees leave the fold to establish competing business at or near the location of their [franchise] store(s).").
The court finds that plaintiff has more than adequately demonstrated that it will suffer irreparable harm absent the imposition of the preliminary injunction.
The third factor a district court must consider before granting preliminary injunctive relief is the harm defendants might suffer should the relief be granted. In considering this factor, the court must undertake to balance the hardships to the respective parties. Pappan, 143 F.3d at 805. The injunction the court will order herein will preclude defendants Donald Weiss, West Coast Tans, CTG, TMA and Connors from performing tanning services and selling related skin care and accessory products from the Southampton Salon. As of the date of the Hearing, the Southampton Salon had not yet opened, but agreed not to provide any tanning services pending resolution of this Motion. Defendants argue that they will suffer lost revenue if prevented from performing tanning services. However, any harm suffered by defendants with respect to this injunction was created or caused by their decision to open the Southampton Salon within the protected territory of the Non-Compete Covenant. Moreover, any hardship will be mitigated because the court will require plaintiff to post a security bond.
In addition to tanning services, Connors also intends to provide massage and anti-aging services and products. Donald
In balancing the hardships to the parties, any injury defendants might suffer as a result of the issuance of the preliminary injunction is significantly outweighed by the irreparable harm plaintiff would continue to suffer as a result of defendants' violation of the Non-Compete Covenant.
Lastly, a court must consider whether the issuance of a preliminary injunction serves the public interest before granting injunctive relief. Pappan, 143 F.3d at 807. Courts have held that "the public interest is served by fulfilling the contractual interests of the parties and maintaining the viability of franchise systems." Maaco Franchising, Inc., 2010 WL 1644278, at *4. See Rita's Water Ice Franchise Corp., 1996 WL 165518, at *5 ("[T]he public interest supports contractual enforcement by preventing competition in violation of a valid restrictive covenant."). This court finds that the public interest weighs in favor of granting the preliminary injunction.
The court finds that plaintiff has demonstrated the elements required for imposition of a preliminary injunction based on defendants' violation of the Non-Compete Covenant set forth in Count II of the Amended Complaint. Plaintiff's Motion will be granted in part and denied in part. Plaintiff's Motion will be granted to the extent that defendants Donald Weiss, West Coast Tans, CTG, TMA and Connors will be enjoined and precluded from providing tanning services and selling related skin care and accessory products at the Southampton Salon.
Additionally, defendants acknowledged and affirmed at the Hearing that they do not intend to operate a Tantopia business, will not use the Tantopia Mark, will not display the Tantopia name or products at the Southampton Salon, will replace the doors on the tanning booths so that the Tantopia name and traditional colors are not displayed, will not use the same colors traditionally used by Tantopia in its salons, and will change the front desk's appearance and color so as not to resemble the desks traditionally used at Tantopia salons. This court has not considered herein plaintiff's trademark infringement claim set forth in Count I of the Amended Complaint. In this claim, plaintiff urges, inter alia, that defendants' use of certain colors and design layout at the Southampton Salon violates plaintiff's trademark and trade dress rights. See Am. Complaint Count I. While the court has not considered whether plaintiff has demonstrated a likelihood of success on Count I, the court notes that defendants' agreement not to use the Tantopia Mark or the same colors as traditionally used in Tantopia salons, has addressed the majority of plaintiff's pretrial concerns regarding its trademark and trade dress claims. Furthermore, the injunction entered today eliminates most, if not all, of the vitality of these claims since defendants will not be operating a business similar to plaintiff's.
In all other respects, the Motion is denied.
Under Fed.R.Civ.P. 65(c), an applicant for a preliminary injunction must give security "in such sum as the court deems proper, for the payment of such costs and damages as may be incurred or suffered by any party who is found to have been wrongfully injured or restrained." "Although the amount of the bond is left to the discretion of the court, the posting requirement is not. Absent circumstances where there is no risk of harm to the defendant, failure to require a successful applicant to post a bond constitutes reversible error." Chicago Title Ins. Co., 513 F.Supp.2d at 322 (citations omitted).
As noted above, the court has found that plaintiff's likelihood of success on the merits of Count II of the Amended Complaint is high at this point. Nonetheless, there is still a financial risk to defendants from the preliminary injunction. There was no testimony at the Hearing as to the amount of lost profits to defendants should the court enjoin the operation of all
An appropriate order follows.
AND NOW, this 22nd day of January, 2013, in accordance with the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law filed by the court this day, it is hereby
1. Defendants, West Coast Tans of PA, LLC, Donald Weiss, Christopher Connors, TMA International, LLC, CTG Group, LLC and Rosalind Weiss, shall not operate a business, or be employed by or render assistance to, a business or person that offers or sells products or services which are the same as or similar to the products and services offered by plaintiff, Tantopia Franchising Company, LLC, its franchisees and licensees, and Tantopia Tanning Centers, Inc. These services include tanning services and the sale of related skin care and accessory products;
2. Defendants shall not use plaintiff's trademark, i.e., the name "Tantopia;" and
3. In accordance with the provisions of Fed.R.Civ.P. 65(c), plaintiff is required to post a security bond in the amount of $30,000.
