Bauer v. Douglas Aquatics, Inc. Even though defendants' franchise agreement explicitly stated that the North Carolina franchisee was not the Virginia franchisor's agent, since (1) the plaintiff-customer was not privy to the franchise agreement, (2) the franchisee represented itself to plaintiff as part of the franchisor, and (3) the franchisor's website described the franchisee as part of the franchisor, the franchisee was the franchisor's apparent agent. It does not offend due process for N.C. courts to exercise personal jurisdiction over the Va. franchisor.

Tagged with: Agency Civil Practice first impression Franchise Mecklenburg County Minimum Contacts personal jurisdiction

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