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Media release

Ultra Tune fined $1.5 million for contempt of court

The Federal Court of Australia has fined Ultra Tune Australia Pty Ltd (Ultra Tune) $1.5 million for contempt of court.

Media release

Honda to pay $6m in penalties for misleading consumers about dealership closures

The Federal Court today decided it would impose penalties totalling $6 million on Honda Australia Pty Ltd, accepting Honda engaged in misleading or deceptive conduct, and made false or misleading representations to customers of three former authorised Honda Australia dealerships.

Media release

Franchisors warned to remove unfair contract terms or risk legal action

The ACCC is warning franchisors to urgently review and amend their standard form franchise agreements or be prepared for potential enforcement action after a review of franchising contracts found wide-ranging concerns.

Media release

Delicia Franchising admits breaches of Franchising Code

After our investigation, health food and beverage retailer Delicia Franchising has admitted in an undertaking to us that it breached the Franchising Code.

Media release

RFG to pay certain franchisees as ACCC settles legal action

The ACCC has accepted a court-enforceable undertaking from Retail Food Group Ltd (ASX: RFG) in which RFG, the operator of many well-known franchising brands, has agreed to make payments to and waive historical debts of a number of affected current and former franchisees, in relation to the purchase of certain corporate stores by these franchisees.

Media release

Jim's Group pays penalties for alleged breach of Franchising Code and the Australian Consumer Law

Jim’s Group Pty Ltd has paid $24,420 in penalties in its capacity as franchisor of the Jim’s Dog Wash franchise after the ACCC issued it with two infringement notices for an alleged contravention of the Franchising Code of Conduct, and an alleged contravention of the Australian Consumer Law (ACL).

Media release

ACCC alleges Ultra Tune in contempt of court

The ACCC has instituted contempt of court proceedings against Ultra Tune Australia Pty Ltd (Ultra Tune) for allegedly breaching court orders which restrained Ultra Tune from contravening parts of the Franchising Code of Conduct (Franchising Code) and for allegedly failing to comply with the requirements of a court-ordered compliance program.

Speech

An ACCC update on the franchise sector speech

ACCC Deputy Chair Mick Keogh spoke at this year’s Franchise Council of Australia Legal Symposium, where he discussed legislative changes that affect the franchise and small business sectors.

Media release

Small business contacts continue to rise during pandemic

The ACCC received over 3,500 contacts from small businesses in the first six months of this year, the highest number of contacts in the last two years.

Update

7-Eleven and franchisees authorised to continue to co-operate to adapt to COVID-19 pandemic

The ACCC has granted re-authorisation to 7-Eleven to continue to enter into agreements with its franchisees about temporary closures and/or reduced trading hours.

Update

ACCC proposes to re-authorise arrangements so 7-Eleven stores can continue to adapt to COVID conditions

The ACCC has issued a draft determination proposing to re-authorise arrangements which allow 7-Eleven to continue to enter into agreements with its franchisees to either temporarily close or reduce the trading hours of certain stores, either operated by those franchisees, or through its sister entity, Convenience Holdings Pty Limited.

Media release

Geowash franchise appeal dismissed

The Full Federal Court has today dismissed an appeal by the former director and franchising manager of former carwash franchise Geowash Pty Ltd against a Federal Court decision that they were knowingly concerned in breaches of the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) and Franchising Code of Conduct (Franchising Code) by Geowash.

Media release

Collective bargaining by small business facilitated by class exemption

From today, small businesses, franchisees and fuel retailers can use the ACCC’s class exemption for collective bargaining.

Media release

Jump Swim ordered to pay penalties of $23 million and Ian Campbell ordered to pay compensation

The franchisor Jump Loops Pty Ltd (in liquidation) (Jump Swim) has been ordered to pay penalties of $23 million for making false or misleading representations and wrongly accepting payments from franchisees, in proceedings brought by the ACCC.

Media release

Megasave and Gary Bourne to pay penalties for misleading prospective franchisees

The Federal Court has ordered Megasave Couriers Australia Pty Ltd (Megasave) to pay $1.9 million in penalties for making false or misleading representations to prospective franchisees, in proceedings brought by the ACCC.

Update

Franchising: Is it for you?

A franchise can seem like a safe way to buy your own business.

Update

ACCC grants interim authorisation so 7-Eleven stores can continue to adapt to COVID conditions

The ACCC has granted interim authorisation, subject to conditions, allowing 7-Eleven to continue to enter arrangements with its franchisees to either temporarily close or reduce the trading hours of certain stores, either operated by those franchisees, or through its sister entity, Convenience Holdings Pty Limited.

Media release

Court finds Megasave and Gary Bourne misled prospective franchisees

The Federal Court has declared that Megasave Couriers Australia Pty Ltd (Megasave) breached the Australian Consumer Law by making false or misleading representations to prospective franchisees, in proceedings brought by the ACCC.

Media release

ACCC alleges RFG engaged in unconscionable and misleading conduct

The ACCC has commenced proceedings in the Federal Court against Retail Food Group Limited (ASX: RFG) and five of its related entities (Retail Food Group), alleging the food and beverage franchise company engaged in unconscionable conduct and made false or misleading representations in its dealings with franchisees.

Media release

Class exemption will enable small businesses to collectively bargain

An ACCC class exemption due to commence in early 2021 will allow small businesses, franchisees and fuel retailers to collectively negotiate with their suppliers and processors, franchisor or fuel wholesaler respectively, without first having to seek ACCC approval.

Media release

Back In Motion Physiotherapy to remove alleged unfair contract terms for franchisees

The ACCC has accepted a court-enforceable undertaking by Back In Motion Physiotherapy Pty Ltd to remove certain terms from its franchisees agreements which it admits may be unfair.

Update

ACCC grants authorisation to 7-Eleven Stores Pty Limited

The ACCC has issued a determination granting conditional authorisation to enable 7-Eleven Stores Pty Limited (7-Eleven) to approach certain stores in its network and enter into arrangements which will provide for temporary closure or reduced trading hours.

Update

ACCC grants authorisation to 7-Eleven Stores Pty Limited

The ACCC has issued a draft determination proposing to grant conditional authorisation to enable 7-Eleven Stores Pty Limited (7-Eleven) to approach certain stores in its network and enter into arrangements which will provide for temporary closure or reduced trading hours.

Media release

Megasave Couriers and Gary Bourne allegedly misled franchisees

The ACCC has instituted proceedings against franchisor Megasave Couriers Australia Pty Ltd (Megasave) in the Federal Court, alleging that it misled prospective franchisees with false or misleading promises of guaranteed minimum weekly payments and annual income if they purchased a Megasave courier franchise.

Media release

Holden commits to negotiate in good faith with Holden dealers

General Motors Holden Australia NSC Pty Ltd (Holden) has committed to negotiate with its dealers in good faith about compensation for Holden’s withdrawal from the Australian market, as required under the Franchising Code of Conduct and Australian Consumer Law.

Ultra Tune fined $1.5 million for contempt of court

Honda to pay $6m in penalties for misleading consumers about dealership closures

Franchisors warned to remove unfair contract terms or risk legal action

Delicia Franchising admits breaches of Franchising Code

RFG to pay certain franchisees as ACCC settles legal action

Jim's Group pays penalties for alleged breach of Franchising Code and the Australian Consumer Law

ACCC alleges Ultra Tune in contempt of court

An ACCC update on the franchise sector speech

Small business contacts continue to rise during pandemic

7-Eleven and franchisees authorised to continue to co-operate to adapt to COVID-19 pandemic

ACCC proposes to re-authorise arrangements so 7-Eleven stores can continue to adapt to COVID conditions

Geowash franchise appeal dismissed

Collective bargaining by small business facilitated by class exemption

Jump Swim ordered to pay penalties of $23 million and Ian Campbell ordered to pay compensation

Megasave and Gary Bourne to pay penalties for misleading prospective franchisees

Franchising: Is it for you?

ACCC grants interim authorisation so 7-Eleven stores can continue to adapt to COVID conditions

Court finds Megasave and Gary Bourne misled prospective franchisees

ACCC alleges RFG engaged in unconscionable and misleading conduct

Class exemption will enable small businesses to collectively bargain

Back In Motion Physiotherapy to remove alleged unfair contract terms for franchisees

ACCC grants authorisation to 7-Eleven Stores Pty Limited

ACCC grants authorisation to 7-Eleven Stores Pty Limited

Megasave Couriers and Gary Bourne allegedly misled franchisees

Holden commits to negotiate in good faith with Holden dealers

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