§ 2553 — Remedies

(a) If a franchisor (1) unjustly terminates a franchise, or (2) unjustly fails or refuses to renew a franchise, or (3) threatens, or attempts, or gives notice that it intends to attempt unjustly to terminate a franchise, or (4) threatens, or attempts, or gives notice that it intends to attempt unjustly to refuse to renew a franchise, then the franchised distributor whose franchise is threatened shall be entitled to recover damages from the franchisor and, in addition, shall be entitled to secure in the Court of Chancery of this State, subject to general equitable principles, an order enjoining such termination or, in case of a failure or refusal to renew, a mandatory order for renewal of the franchise. Pending the issuance of such an order, the franchised distributor shall be entitled to an order enjoining such termination pendente lite, or in case of a failure or refusal to renew, a mandatory order extending the franchise pendente lite. Any such order, whether final or pendente lite, shall contain provisions directing the franchisor to sell or consign to the franchised distributor the products covered by the franchise and/or to license to the franchised distributor the trademarks or trade names covered by the franchise, and otherwise to deal with the franchised distributor under the terms of the franchise so terminated.

(b) Without limiting any other provisions of this chapter, if a franchisor unjustly refuses to deal with a franchised distributor with whom the franchisor has been dealing for at least 2 years, the franchised distributor shall be entitled to recover damages from the franchisor pursuant to subsection (a) of this section plus all other damages (including, without limitation, loss of profits) allowed under the law of this State; and, in addition, shall be entitled to secure in the Court of Chancery of this State an order directing the franchisor to deal with the franchised distributor on fair and competitive terms. Pending the issuance of such final order, the franchised distributor shall be entitled to secure such a mandatory order pendente lite.

(c) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) of this section, damages recoverable pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following:

(1) A fractional portion of the franchised distributor’s tangible assets (both real and personal) in this State used with respect to the terminated or unrenewed franchise, including, but not limited to, sales outlets and facilities, offices, warehouses, trucks and the furnishing, equipment and accessories therein; the numerator of the fraction shall consist of the franchised distributor’s gross sales (in the most recently completed fiscal year) within this State attributable to the terminated or unrenewed franchise, and the denominator of the fraction shall consist of the franchised distributor’s total gross sales (in the most recently completed fiscal year) in this State; and

(2) Loss of goodwill; and

(3) Loss of profits, which loss shall be presumed to be no less than 5 times the profit obtained by the franchised distributor, by virtue of the terminated franchise, in the most recently completed fiscal year; and

(4) All other damages allowed under the law of this State; and

(5) The reasonable counsel fees and expenses incurred in the action or actions brought pursuant to this chapter.

Legislative History

6 Del. C. 1953, § 2553; 57 Del. Laws, c. 693.