NEWS FLASH: Just saw this flash across CNBC at the office:

Supreme Building Technologies filed suit against Elite Manufacturing, LLC alleging breach of contract regarding $1.7M in unpaid fees.

You say that your franchisor lied to you about earnings, but you cannot sue because you signed a clause that said you were not relying upon what the franchisor told you about earnings?

You say that your franchisor lied to you about rebates, but you cannot sue because you signed a clause that said you were not relying upon what the franchisor told you about rebates?

You say that your franchisor lied to you about [fill in the blank], but you cannot sue because you signed a clause that said you were not relying upon what the franchisor told you about [fill in the blank]?

And without reliance, you cannot prove legal misrepresentation, or that the lie was a proximate cause of your loss.  And so no attorney will take your case?

Well, very recently, the  Supreme Court of the United States just handed a big gift to potential franchisees in the case BRIDGE ET AL. v. PHOENIX BOND & INDEMNITY CO in their rule about fraud and RICO actions.

The Supreme Court made a very important ruling (pdf) regarding the role of reliance in a RICO cause of action.

What is the best way for franchisers and franchisees to settle their disputes?

Franchise Council of Australia Raising Money for Franchisor Members to Contest Court Ruling