Law 101 Case Study
J.C., Inc., had a franchise agreement with McDonald’s Corporation to operate McDonald’s restaurants in Lancaster, Ohio. The agreement required J.C. to make monthly payments to McDonald’s of certain percentages of the gross sales. If any payment was more than 30 days late, McDonald’s had the right to terminate the franchise. The agreement also stated that even if McDonald’s accepted a late payment, that would not “constitute a waiver of any subsequent breach.” McDonald’s sometimes accepted J.C.’s late payments, but when J.C. defaulted on the payments in July 2010, McDonald’s gave notice of 30 days to comply or surrender possession of the restaurants. J.C. missed the deadline. McDonald’s demanded that J.C. vacate the restaurants, but J.C. refused. McDonald’s files a lawsuit alleging that J.C. had violated the franchise agreement. J.C claimed that McDonald’s had breached the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. Which party should prevail and why?
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