As expected, the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington that heard oral argument last week on the International Franchise Association’s motion for a preliminary injunction against the City of Seattle denied the IFA’s motion and refused to enjoin implementation of the City’s $15 per hour minimum wage ordinance against franchisees.
The Court’s Order dismisses as insufficient the IFA’s evidence of statements by three lawmakers and a member of the Mayor’s advisory committee that appeared to indicate the City’s real intention in imposing burdensome and discriminatory restrictions on small franchised businesses. A copy of the Court’s 43-page order can be found here. More analysis to follow later this week.
The IFA can only appeal the Court’s denial if the Court elects to certify the matter for an interlocutory appeal. Given the Court’s rejection of the IFA’s arguments, such an order is probably unlikely. The case is set to go to trial in October 2015.