“A prospective franchise owner who is denied because he intends to open on Sunday. To see where the arguments go.”
Actually, that’s a pretty cut-and-dried argument. You don’t like the policy, don’t sign the paper.
McDonald’s is VERY tough about franchisees toeing the line on all its policies. You have to apply for variances, or risk losing your distribution rights.
That’s what you are, after all, a third-party distributor.
I can see the argument going to court easily. The claim will be that the denial is religion based. Don’t know where it would go, but I am surprised someone hasn’t put an oar in that water yet.
CFA is still privately owned so far, which is likely why the challenge has not happened.
CFA’s claim will be that the policy is based on a day of rest for all employees and the idea that if you can’t make a profit in 6 days a week, you aren’t running the business very well.
I’d like to see where the arguments would end up in such a lawsuit.
IMO, the policy is clearly religion based, with a good cover.
Overall though, I think a private business is a private business and they can have such rules if they wish.