Minnesota Franchise Act Claim Based On Implied Contract Fails

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
DISTRICT OF MINNESOTA
Johnson Brothers Liquor Company;
Johnson Brothers Northwest Beverages, Inc.,
d/b/a Ed Phillips & Sons Co. of North Dakota;
and Johnson Brothers Famous Brands, Inc.,
d/b/a Famous Brands and/or
Western Wholesale;
Plaintiffs, MEMORANDUM OPINION
AND ORDER
v. Civil No. 11-824 ADM/JSM
Bacardi U.S.A., Inc.; and
Brown-Forman Corporation,
Defendants.

I. INTRODUCTION
On September 7, 2011, the undersigned United States District Judge heard oral
arguments on Defendant Bacardi U.S.A., Inc.’s (“Bacardi”) Motion to Dismiss First Amended
Complaint or for Transfer [Docket No. 24] (“Bacardi’s Motion to Dismiss or Transfer”), on
Defendant Brown-Forman Corporation’s (“Brown-Forman”) Motion to Dismiss the First
Amended Complaint [Docket No. 26] (“Brown-Forman’s Motion to Dismiss”), and on Bacardi’s
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Motion to Stay [Docket No. 30]. Brown-Forman’s Motion to Stay or Transfer [Docket No. 66],
filed subsequent to oral argument of the other identified motions, will also be considered.
Plaintiffs Johnson Brothers Liquor Company (“Johnson Brothers Liquor”); Johnson
Brothers Northwest Beverages, Inc., d/b/a Ed Phillips & Sons Co. of North Dakota (“Ed Phillips
& Sons”); and Johnson Brothers Famous Brands, Inc., d/b/a Famous Brands and/or Western
Wholesale (“Famous Brands”) assert claims under the Minnesota Franchise Act (the “MFA”),
Minn. Stat. Ch. 80C, as well as federal antitrust violations under Section 4 of the Clayton Act, 15
U.S.C. § 15, and Section 1 of the Sherman Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1, against Defendants (Bacardi and
Brown-Forman collectively are “Defendants”). For the reasons set forth below, Bacardi’s
Motion to Dismiss or Transfer is granted, Brown-Forman’s Motion to Dismiss is granted,
Bacardi’s Motion to Stay is denied, and Brown-Forman’s Motion to Stay or Transfer is denied.
II. BACKGROUND1
Defendant Bacardi produces, imports, distributes, markets, promotes, and sells alcoholic
beverages throughout the United States from its principal place of business in Coral Gables,
Florida. Am. Compl. [Docket No. 22] ¶ 10. Bacardi owns brands of rum, gin, vodka, vermouth,
sparkling wines, scotch whiskey, tequila, and liqueur. Id. ¶ 10. Defendant Brown-Forman
produces, imports, distributes, markets, promotes, and sells alcoholic beverages throughout the
United States from its principal place of business in Louisville, Kentucky. Id. ¶ 11. Brown-
Forman owns brands of whiskey, vodka, champagne, liqueur, tequila, and wines, including Jack
Daniel’s Whiskey and Southern Comfort. Id. ¶¶ 11, 40. Plaintiffs (Johnson Brothers Liquor, Ed
Phillips & Sons, and Famous Brands are collectively “Plaintiffs”) are in the business of
1 In considering Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss, the Court considers the facts alleged in
Plaintiffs’ Complaint to be true. See Hamm v. Groose, 15 F.3d 110, 112 (8th Cir. 1994).
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distributing alcoholic beverages. Id. ¶ 7. Ed Phillips & Sons is incorporated in and has its
principal place of business in North Dakota, and it distributes alcoholic beverages in that state.
Id. ¶¶ 7-8. Famous Brands is incorporated in and has its principal place of business in South
Dakota, and it distributes alcoholic beverages in that state. Id. Johnson Brothers Liquor is a
Minnesota corporation with its principal place of business in St. Paul, Minnesota. Id. ¶ 7. Ed
Phillips & Sons and Famous Brands are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Johnson Brothers Liquor
and are controlled and managed by Johnson Brothers Liquor from its Minnesota office. See id.
¶¶ 7-9, 25, 38.
Johnson Brothers Liquor and Bacardi have a business relationship that spans over thirty
years. Id. ¶ 19. In August 2004, Bacardi and Ed Phillips & Sons entered into an Agreement (the
“2004 North Dakota Agreement”) for the distribution of certain Bacardi products in North
Dakota. Id. ¶¶ 21-24. The terms of the 2004 North Dakota Agreement obligated Ed Phillips &
Sons to make annual “expenditures” equal to 10% of Ed Phillips & Sons’ gross profit in support
of promotional, advertising, and sales programs for Bacardi products. Id. ¶ 26. Since 2008,
these expenditures reached approximately $110,000 annually. Id. ¶ 28. The terms of the 2004
North Dakota Agreement gave either party the right to terminate the agreement on ninety days
notice without cause. Steinberg Decl. [Docket No. 34] Ex. 1 (“2004 North Dakota Agreement”)
§ 9.2. The 2004 North Dakota Agreement also provides a forum selection clause designating
courts in Miami-Dade County, Florida, as the exclusive forum to litigate disputes arising from
the agreement. Id. § 11.2.
On December 31, 2010, Bacardi telephoned Johnson Brothers Liquor’s Minnesota office
and informed Johnson Brothers Liquor’s vice president that Bacardi was terminating the 2004
North Dakota Agreement. Am. Compl. ¶ 29. Bacardi then sent to Ed Phillips & Sons, at its
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Fargo, North Dakota office, a written notice of termination of the 2004 North Dakota
Agreement. Id., Ex. A. Bacardi then granted distribution rights for its products in North Dakota
to Republic National Distribution Company (“RNDC”), a competitor of Ed Phillips & Sons and
Johnson Brothers Liquor. Id. ¶ 31.
Johnson Brothers Liquor and Brown-Forman have a business relationship that spans over
twenty-five years. Id. ¶ 32. Between 1987 and 1998, Brown-Forman entered into at least five
distributor agreements with Johnson Brothers Liquor or its subsidiaries covering Minnesota,
North Dakota, South Dakota, and Iowa. Id. ¶ 34. Specifically, in July 1987, Brown-Forman
entered into an agreement with Ed Phillips & Sons for distribution of certain Brown-Forman
products in North Dakota, and entered into two agreements with Famous Brands for distribution
of Brown-Forman products in South Dakota. Id. ¶ 35. In June 1989, Brown-Forman also
entered into an agreement with Johnson Brothers Liquor for distribution of all Brown-Forman
products in Minnesota. Id. ¶ 36. Finally, in July 1998, a division of Brown-Forman entered into
an agreement with Johnson Brothers Liquor for distribution of Brown-Forman wines in Iowa.
Id. ¶ 37.
Similar to the 2004 North Dakota Agreement, Brown-Forman’s distribution agreements
with Johnson Brothers Liquor, or its subsidiaries, require the distributor to “bank” a portion of its
profits for use in promoting Brown-Forman products. Id. ¶ 40. Since 2006, Famous Brands has
spent $370,000 promoting Brown-Forman products in South Dakota. See id. Likewise, since
2008, Ed Phillips & Sons has spent $215,000 promoting Brown-Forman products in North
Dakota. See id. Furthermore, like the 2004 North Dakota Agreement, the various Brown-
Forman agreements with Plaintiffs allow either party to the agreement to terminate without
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cause. Hardwicke Decl. [Docket No. 38] Ex. 1 § 12, Ex. 2 § 12, Ex. 3 § 12, Ex. 4 § 12, Ex. 5 §
12.
On January 4, 2011, four days after Bacardi sent its notice of termination of the 2004
North Dakota Agreement, Brown-Forman sent notice to Johnson Brothers Liquor’s Minnesota
office to terminate Johnson Brothers Liquor’s wine distribution rights in Minnesota, its wine and
spirits distribution rights in Iowa, and to terminate all of Ed Phillips & Sons’ distribution rights
in North Dakota and all of Famous Brands’ distribution rights in South Dakota. Compl. ¶ 42,
Ex. B. Brown-Forman then transferred distribution rights for its products in North Dakota and
South Dakota to RNDC. Id. ¶ 44.
In the January 4, 2011 termination notice, Brown-Forman referenced its “national
strategic distribution and broker alliance with Bacardi” and informed Plaintiffs that it was
“moving to align” distribution of its brands with Bacardi. Id. ¶ 50, Ex. B. Furthermore, in
public statements Brown-Forman has stated it has a “unique relationship” with Bacardi, seeks
ways to “collaborate” with Bacardi, and “highly value[s] [its] partnership with Bacardi.” Id. ¶
47. Likewise, Bacardi has affirmed its “unique distribution partnerships” with Brown-Forman.
Id. ¶ 48. Bacardi and Brown-Forman have entered into agreements for Bacardi to distribute
Brown-Forman brands in several European markets. Id. ¶ 49.
After receiving notice of termination from both Bacardi and Brown-Forman, Johnson
Brothers Liquor responded with a letter to Bacardi alleging that Bacardi’s action in aligning its
distribution with Brown-Forman constituted a violation of federal antitrust laws and that
terminating the 2004 North Dakota Agreement without cause constituted a violation of the
Minnesota Franchise Act. Steinberg Decl. Ex. 5. Some correspondence ensued, and on March
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21, 2011, Johnson Brother Liquors sent Bacardi a letter with a draft complaint alleging violations
of the MFA and federal antitrust laws and seeking to negotiate a resolution. Steinberg Decl. Ex.
6. Less than forty-eight hours after receiving Johnson Brothers Liquor’s draft complaint, on
March 23, 2011, Bacardi filed its own complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Southern
District of Florida, Miami Division (the “Florida action”), against Ed Philips & Sons, Johnson
Brothers Liquor, and another Johnson Brothers Liquor subsidiary, Iowa Wine & Beverage
Company (“Iowa Wine”). See Steinberg Decl. Ex. 8. The Florida action seeks declaratory
judgment that Bacardi’s termination of the 2004 North Dakota Agreement, and two other
agreements with Iowa Wine, did not violate federal antitrust law or the MFA. Id. This case in
Minnesota suing both Bacardi and Brown-Forman was initiated less than two weeks later on
April 4, 2011.
The Florida action was assigned to Senior U.S. District Court Judge Paul C. Huck. On
June 27, 2011 Judge Huck issued an order staying discovery to allow mediation of the claims
related to the two Iowa agreements and on July 18, 2011 issued another order dismissing those
claims without prejudice. Kranz. Decl. [Docket No. 45] Exs. D, E. Then, Johnson Brothers
Liquor and Ed Phillips & Sons moved to transfer the Florida action, with its single claim relating
to the 2004 North Dakota Agreement, here to federal district court in Minnesota. Judge Huck
denied that motion, finding that the 28 U.S.C. § 1404(a) transfer factors weighed in favor of the
Florida venue, particularly given the forum selection clause in the 2004 North Dakota
Agreement. During oral argument, Judge Huck opined that the claims in this action against
Brown-Forman may be compulsory counterclaims in the Florida action. Tr. of Mot. Hr’g before
J. Paul C. Huck [Docket No. 56] (“Huck Hr’g Tr.”) 18. Accordingly, Johnson Brothers Liquor
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and Ed Phillips & Sons filed those counterclaims, without waiving arguments made before this
Court, in the Florida action on October 7, 2011. Oct. 11, 2011 Letter [Docket No. 63] Ex. 1.
Therefore, as it now stands two nearly identical actions are proceeding in tandem, one
here in Minnesota and another in Florida, with the Florida court having already ruled to retain
jurisdiction. Nonetheless, Plaintiffs note that Judge Huck invited this Court to rule on issues of
Minnesota law, and Plaintiffs contend that this Court should retain jurisdiction over this action
because the forum selection clause relied on by the court in the Florida Action is invalid under
the MFA. Plaintiffs further argue that once the forum selection clause is viewed as invalid, the
first-filed rule dictates that this Court is the proper forum for this litigation. Defendants counter
that this case should be stayed or transferred to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District
of Florida (the “Southern District of Florida”), or alternatively the Complaint in this matter
should be dismissed for failure to state a claim for which relief may be granted.
III. DISCUSSION
A. Motion to Dismiss Standard
Rule 12 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure provides that a party may move to
dismiss a complaint for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted. Fed. R. Civ. P.
12(b)(6). In considering a motion to dismiss, the pleadings are construed in the light most
favorable to the nonmoving party, and the facts alleged in the complaint must be taken as true.
Hamm, 15 F.3d at 112; Ossman v. Diana Corp., 825 F. Supp. 870, 879-80 (D. Minn. 1993). Any
ambiguities concerning the sufficiency of the claims must be resolved in favor of the nonmoving
party. Ossman, 825 F. Supp. at 880.
Under Rule 8(a) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, pleadings “shall contain a short
and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief.” A pleading must
allege “enough facts to state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face.” Bell Atl. Corp. v.
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Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 570 (2007). “A claim has facial plausibility when the plaintiff pleads
factual content that allows the court to draw a reasonable inference that the defendant is liable
for the misconduct alleged.” Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 129 S. Ct. 1937, 1949 (2009). Determining
whether a complaint states a plausible claim for relief is “a context-specific task that requires the
reviewing court to draw on its judicial experience and common sense.” Id. “But where the wellpleaded
facts do not permit the court to infer more than the mere possibility of misconduct, the
complaint has alleged—but not ‘shown’—‘that the pleader is entitled to relief.’” Id. (quoting
Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a)(2)).
B. MFA claims
Plaintiffs’ MFA claims arise from an alleged franchise relationship between Johnson
Brothers Liquor and Bacardi and Johnson Brothers Liquor and Brown-Forman. Essentially,
Plaintiffs argue that Brown-Forman’s dealings with Ed Phillips & Sons in North Dakota, Famous
Brands in South Dakota, Johnson Brothers Liquor in Iowa, and Johnson Brothers Liquor in
Minnesota formed a franchise-franchisee relationship between Brown-Forman and Johnson
Brothers Liquor centered in Minnesota and covering a region comprised of North Dakota, South
Dakota, Iowa, and Minnesota. Similarly, Plaintiffs argue that Bacardi’s dealings with Ed
Phillips & Sons in North Dakota created a franchise-franchisee relationship between Bacardi and
Johnson Brothers Liquor centered in Minnesota because Bacaradi was aware of Johnson Brother
Liquor’s control of Ed Phillips & Sons as its parent corporation. Based on the alleged existence
of these franchise-franchisee relationships, Plaintiffs argue that their various distribution
agreements could not be terminated except with good cause as required by Minn. Stat. § 80C.14,
subd. 3(b).
The viability of Plaintiffs’ theories with respect to both Brown-Forman and Bacardi
requires the Court to disregard the individual distribution agreements, each signed by either
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Brown-Forman or Bacardi and a distinct legal entity related to Johnson Brothers Liquor, and
instead imply direct contracts between Bacardi and Johnson Brothers Liquor and between
Brown-Forman and Johnson Brothers Liquor. This argument is essential to Plaintiffs’ MFA
theories because the MFA applies only to “franchise agreements” within the purview of
Minnesota law. Minnesota cannot regulate “franchise agreements” that are formed and
preformed in other states. See In re St. Paul & K.C. Grain Co., 84 N.W. 218, 225 (Minn. 1903)
(noting that “general rule” is that state statutes apply only to territory of state that enacted the
statute). Indeed, even where a party to a “franchise agreement” is a Minnesota corporation, the
agreement is not within the purview of the MFA if the franchisee is not located in and does not
operate in Minnesota. Hockey Enters., Inc. v. Total Hockey Worldwide, LLC, 762 F. Supp. 2d
1138, 1146 (D. Minn. 2011).
Johnson Brothers Liquor tacitly recognizes this limitation on the MFA by carefully
premising its claims only on the alleged implied contracts with Johnson Brothers Liquor, and not
any of the contracts with its subsidiaries. Pls.’ Mem. of Law in Opp. to Def. Brown-Forman’s
Mot. to Dismiss the First Am. Compl. [Docket No. 48] 25; Pls.’ Mem. of Law in Opp. to Def.
Bacardi’s Mot. to Dismiss the First Am. Compl. or for Transfer [Docket No. 46] 32. Therefore,
because Plaintiffs argue that their MFA claims are premised only on implied contracts, to the
extent any MFA claims are premised on the express contracts, they are dismissed. The Court
now turns to the alleged implied contracts.
Johnson Brothers Liquor strenuously argues that a franchise under Minnesota law is
created by “a contract or agreement, either express or implied . . . by which a franchisee is
granted the right to engage in the business of offering or distributing goods or services . . . .”
Minn. Stat. § 80C.01, subd. 4(a) (emphasis added). Based on that language, Plaintiffs argue that
a franchise was implied between Johnson Brothers Liquor in Minnesota and both Brown-Forman
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and Bacardi for distribution of alcoholic beverages in certain upper Midwestern states.
However, there is nothing remarkable about Minnesota allowing franchise agreements to
be implied. Under the common law of Minnesota, contracts of any sort can be implied in fact
and can be oral or written. See McArdle v. Williams, 258 N.W. 818, 820-21 (Minn. 1935)
(noting that contracts may be written, oral, implied from the actions of the parties, or some
combination thereof) (citing Restatement (First) of Contracts § 21, cmt. a (1932)). Equally
uncontroversial in the law of contracts is that the formation of an implied contract is evaluated
objectively. Gryc v. Lewis, 410 N.W.2d 888, 891 (Minn. Ct. App. 1987). In other words, “[a]n
intent to be contractually bound is determined by the objective manifestations of the parties’
words, conduct, and documents, and not by their subjective intent.” Norwest Bank Minn. North,
N.A. v. Beckler, 663 N.W.2d 571, 578 (Minn. Ct. App. 1983) (citing Holman Erection Co. v.
Orville E. Madsen & Sons, 330 N.W.2d 693, 695 (Minn. 1983)). Plaintiffs have identified no
authority, and the Court finds none, that the Minnesota legislature intended to deviate from this
fundamental tenet of contract law through the MFA. Therefore, the Court now considers in turn
whether either Bacardi or Brown-Forman objectively manifested an intent to form an implied
franchise agreement with Johnson Brothers Liquor.
1. Bacardi
Johnson Brothers Liquor has not plausibly alleged the existence of a “franchise
agreement” between it and Bacardi. No factual content has been pled from which one may
reasonably infer that an implied contract between Johnson Brothers Liquor and Bacardi exists.
Johnson Brothers Liquor’s argument that an implied contract exists between it and
Bacardi centers on allegations that: Johnson Brothers Liquor “controlled and managed” Ed
Phillips & Sons, see Am. Compl. ¶ 9; that Johnson Brothers Liquor was “operating through” Ed
Phillips & Sons in North Dakota, Am Comp. ¶¶ 22–24, 26, 28; or that Ed Philips & Sons was
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“effectively managed” by Johnson Brothers Liquor and that Johnson Brothers Liquor “carried
out many of the essential functions” of Ed Phillips & Sons, Am Comp. ¶¶ 25, 87. That a parent
corporation controls, manages or “effectively” manages, operates through, or carries out the
essential functions of its wholly-owned subsidiary is no surprise. These allegations say nothing
about Bacardi’s manifestation of assent to be contractually bound with Johnson Brothers Liquor.
The sole allegation of any direct conduct between Bacardi and Johnson Brothers Liquor
is that Bacardi notified Johnson Brothers Liquor’s vice-president, Bill Johnson, of its intent to
cancel the 2004 North Dakota Agreement. Am. Compl. ¶ 4. However, any suggestion that this
conduct objectively manifested an intent to contract with Johnson Brothers Liquor is belied by
the factual assertion that Johnson Brothers Liquor and Ed Phillips & Sons have common officers.
Id. ¶ 9. The suggestion that this conduct was an objective manifestation of an intent to contract
with Johnson Brothers Liquor is further undermined because Bacardi’s notice to Bill Johnson
was confirmed with a letter addressed to Ed Phillips & Sons, sent to Ed Phillips & Sons’ address
in North Dakota. Id. Ex. A. Finally, an argument that this conduct created an implied contract is
rebutted by Bacardi’s explicit references to the express contract between Bacardi and Ed Phillips
& Sons. That contract is unambiguous–it is between Bacardi and Ed Philips & Sons only. See
generally Steinberg Decl. Ex. 1.
Plaintiffs cannot avoid this result by conflating Ed Phillips & Sons and Johnson Brothers
Liquor. For example, Plaintiffs cannot plausibly allege that Bacardi granted Ed Phillips & Sons
“and/or” Johnson Brothers Liquor the right to use Bacardi’s trade name, trademarks, or other
commercial symbols, Am. Compl. ¶ 88, because the express terms of the 2004 North Dakota
Agreement unambiguously granted those rights to Ed Phillips & Sons only, Steinberg Decl. Ex.
1§ 6.1. Bacardi entered into an agreement with Ed Phillips & Sons, not Johnson Brothers
Liquor. Bacardi appointed as a distributor of its products in North Dakota Ed Phillips & Sons,
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not Johnson Brothers Liquor. Therefore, Bacardi’s objective intent was to contract with Ed
Phillips & Sons only. In light of the constitutionally-endorsed state-specific alcohol distribution
regulations, see U.S. Const. amend. XXI, § 2 (“The transportation or importation into any State .
. . of intoxicating liquors, in violation of the laws therefore, is hereby prohibited.”), Johnson
Brothers Liquor can offer no plausible explanation as to why Bacardi would contract with any
entity other than Ed Phillips & Sons, the only member of the Johnson Brothers Liquor corporate
family licensed to distribute alcoholic beverages in North Dakota. Therefore, Johnson Brothers
Liquor’s MFA claim against Bacardi is dismissed because no franchise agreement exists
between them.
2. Brown-Forman
Johnson Brothers Liquor bases its MFA claim against Brown-Forman on a “single
unitary multi-state franchise” theory. In essence, Johnson Brothers Liquor argues that Brown-
Forman’s acts of contracting with its subsidiaries in North Dakota and South Dakota and with it
in Minnesota and Iowa created an implied contract between Johnson Brothers Liquor and
Brown-Forman for distribution of liquor throughout these upper Midwestern states.
The allegations in the Complaint, however, do not plausibly suggest the existence of such
an implied contract. As with Bacardi, allegations that Johnson Brothers Liquor, as parent
corporation to Ed Phillips & Sons and Famous Brands, carried out “essential functions” or
“operated” its subsidiaries from its headquarters in Minnesota is unremarkable and does not
reasonably lead to an inference that Brown-Forman intended to contract with Johnson Brothers
Liquor generally instead of with its subsidiaries individually. Furthermore, as discussed above
with respect to Bacardi, Brown-Forman objectively manifested an intent to contract with each
entity individually by entering into separate contracts with each and individually granting them
rights as distributors in their respective states only. For example, Brown-Forman chose to
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contract individually with Famous Brands, granted Famous Brands the right to use Brown-
Forman trademarks in South Dakota, and appointed Famous Brands an authorized distributor in
South Dakota. See generally Hardwicke Decl. Ex. 3. The unambiguous language of each
contract is an objective manifestation of an intent by Brown-Forman to be contractually bound in
discrete state-by-state areas with each entity only. Artful pleading cannot alter that result.
Unlike with Bacardi, for its MFA claim against Brown-Forman, Johnson Brothers Liquor
further alleges that Brown-Forman’s notice of termination corroborates its “unitary multi-state
franchise” theory because Brown-Forman sent a single notice of termination that referred to a
general “relationship with Johnson Brothers.” Am. Compl. Ex. B. Johnson Brothers Liquor
further notes that the letter never expressly references Johnson Brothers Liquors’ subsidiaries or
any distinct written agreements. These allegations cannot plausibly support the inference that an
implied contract exists. First, the letter must be read in context. Brown-Forman signed discrete
contracts for each state. The allegations in the Complaint are insufficient evidence from which a
reasonable inference could be drawn that Brown-Forman intended to contract with Johnson
Brothers Liquor for a multi-state distribution franchise given the distinct contracts with distinct
legal entities covering discrete territories. Second, the letter on its face does not support the
multi-state unitary franchise theory at all. Contrary to Johnson Brothers Liquor’s
characterization, the letter expressly states that notice of termination was provided for several
“relationships.” Id. The use of the plural negates the suggestion that the letter could support an
inference of a single implied contract. Such action is consistent with each contract being
distinct, and is inconsistent with the multi-state unitary contract theory.
At most the letter supports the inferences that (1) Brown-Forman knew that Johnson
Brothers Liquor formed wholly-owned subsidiaries and (2) Brown-Forman knew it had
contracted with those subsidiaries. Mere knowledge of the existence of the Johnson Brothers
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Liquor corporate family is not a sufficient factual basis to infer that Brown-Forman manifested
an objective intent to eviscerate its distinct contracts with Johnson Brother Liquor and its
subsidiaries in favor of a single implied contract for distribution over the upper Midwest.
Therefore, Johnson Brothers Liquor’s MFA claim against Brown-Forman is dismissed.
In summary, Bacardi and Brown-Forman contracted with Johnson Brothers Liquor or its
subsidiaries individually for distribution of alcoholic beverages in discrete state-by-state
territories. Bacardi and Brown-Forman’s awareness of the Johnson Brothers Liquor corporate
family structure and their directing termination notices to Johnson Brothers Liquor’s Minnesota
office does not alter the fact that Bacardi and Brown-Forman both objectively manifested intents
to contract with each Johnson Brothers Liquor subsidiary individually by entering into individual
contracts with those subsidiaries. No implied contracts exist, only the express contracts are of
legal significance. Without any franchise agreements within the purview of the MFA, Plaintiffs’
MFA claims (Counts I and II of the Complaint) are dismissed.
C. Antitrust claims
In addition to asserting claims under the MFA, Plaintiffs allege Bacardi and Brown-
Forman conspired to violate federal antitrust laws by engaging in a “concerted refusal to deal”
with Johnson Brothers Liquor and its subsidiaries. As a matter of right, a private business is free
to conduct business with whomever it chooses to the exclusion of others. United States v.
Colgate & Co. , 250 U.S. 300, 307 (1919). However, central to antitrust law is that what one
entity may do on its own may be illegal for two or more entities to do in concert. Fed. Trade
Comm’n v. Beech-Nut Packing Co., 257 U.S. 441, 453 (1922) (noting that the Colgate rule does
not extend to “contracts or combinations” that “unduly hinder or obstruct . . . trade”). For
example, when two or more firms jointly agree not to deal with another, it may run afoul of
antitrust laws. Klor’s, Inc. v. Broadway-Hale Stores, Inc., 359 U.S. 207, 212–14 (1959) (holding
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that concerted refusal to deal among appliance manufacturers and distributors was violation of
antitrust laws).
“Whether an agreement unreasonably restrains trade is determined under one of two
approaches: the per se rule and the rule of reason.” Worldwide Basketball & Sport Tours, Inc. v.
Nat’l Collegiate Athletic Ass’n, 388 F.3d 955, 959 (6th Cir. 2004). The per se rule is reserved
for those agreements that are so obviously anti-competitive that unreasonableness is presumed
and the agreements are deemed unlawful. Craftsmen Limousine, Inc. v. Ford Motor Co., 491
F.3d 380, 387 (8th Cir. 2007). In all other cases, conduct is evaluated under the “rule of reason,”
which looks to whether an arrangement is an “unreasonable restraint on competition.” Id.
(quotation omitted). “The antitrust laws, however, were enacted for ‘the protection of
competition not competitors . . . .’” Brunswick Corp. v. Pueblo Bowl-O-Mat, Inc., 429 U.S. 477,
488 (1977) (quoting Brown Shoe Co. v. United States, 370 U.S. 294, 320 (1962)).
1. Per Se Treatment is Not Warranted
In refusal to deal cases, such as this one, per se treatment is warranted only when the
cartel refusing to deal with another possesses market power or exclusive access to an element
essential to effective competition. Northwest Wholesale Stationers, Inc. v. Pac. Stationery &
Printing Co., 472 U.S. 284, 296 (1985). Here, per se treatment is unwarranted because Plaintiffs
have not plausibly alleged that Bacardi and Brown-Forman possess market power or exclusive
access to an element essential to effective competition.
a. Defendants do not have market power
Plaintiffs urge that the relevant market is the distribution of liquor in the upper Midwest.
This is a market in which Bacardi and Brown-Forman do not participate (which is precisely why
they contracted with Plaintiffs to engage in distribution for them), much less one in which they
have market power. Market power is typically defined as the ability “to raise price above the
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competitive level without losing so many sales so rapidly that the price increase is unprofitable
and must be rescinded.” Craftsmen Limousine, 491 F.3d at 388 (quoting Midwestern Mach. Co.
v. N.W. Airlines, Inc., 392 F.3d 265, 274 (8th Cir. 2004)). Implicit in that reasoning is that a
firm must be a participant in the market; otherwise, there are no “sales” within the market to be
lost. Here, Bacardi and Brown-Forman do not make any sales, and have no market power, in the
market for distribution of liquor in the upper Midwest. Furthermore, market power has been
alternatively defined as the ability to control output, typically from an ability to exclude other
sources of supply. Ball Memorial Hosp. Inc. v. Mutual Hosp. Ins., Inc., 784 F.3d 1325, 1336
(7th Cir. 1986). However, no allegations have been made that Bacardi and Brown-Forman can
control output of distribution in the liquor distribution market or restrict supply of liquor. To the
contrary, Plaintiffs have alleged the existence of available alternative sources of supply of liquor,
and of whiskey and rum in particular–namely Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc. (“Beam”), and
Cruzan International, Inc. (“Cruzan”). Am. Compl. ¶ 73. Therefore, Bacardi and Brown-
Forman together do not have market power in the relevant market as defined by Plaintiffs.
Plaintiffs argue that Bacardi and Brown-Forman have market power in the market for
distribution of liquor because they have the ability to “impinge” on that market. See Insignia
Sys., Inc. v. News Am. Marketing In-Store, Inc., 661 F. Supp. 2d 1039, 1063 (D. Minn. 2009)
(defining market power sufficient to sustain antitrust violation as the power to “significantly
impinge on competition”) (quotation omitted). Plaintiffs’ argument is unavailing in several
respects. To begin, the defendant in Insignia was a participant in the relevant market. Id. at
1057. Therefore, Insignia does not address the issue of defining market power for a nonparticipant
in the market, as discussed above. Furthermore, no factual allegations support the
argument that Bacardi and Brown-Forman together can “impinge” on the market for liquor
distribution. Plaintiffs carefully define the relevant market as one not for distribution of any
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particular class of liquor, such as rum, whiskey, or vodka, but rather the market for distribution
of all liquor. Am. Compl. ¶ 61; Pls.’ Mem. of Law in Opp. to Def. Bacardi’s Mot. to Dismiss the
First Am. Compl. or for Transfer 27–29; Pls.’ Mem. of Law in Opp. to Def. Brown-Forman’s
Mot. to Dismiss the First Am. Compl. 21-22. Yet, Plaintiffs have not articulated how Bacardi
and Brown-Forman can impinge that market. Plaintiffs clearly allege that much of the market
for distribution of rum and whiskey in North Dakota is now concentrated with RNDC. Am.
Compl. ¶ 72. But, no explanation has been offered as to how a concerted raise in prices for
Bacardi and Brown-Forman products could impinge on the market for distribution of all liquors
when vodka, tequila, gin, scotch whisky, liqueur, and other liquors comprise a significant portion
of the relevant market as alleged by Plaintiffs, and distribution of those liquors is not
concentrated in any one distributor.
Even more significantly, no explanation is given as to how Bacardi and Brown-Forman
could collude to raise prices without having their customers, including RNDC, begin to favor
competitors. Absent collusion or a wider conspiracy, neither of which is alleged, the price of
liquor sold from distillers to distributors is independent of the price of liquor sold from
distributors to retailers, which is also independent of the price of liquor sold from retailers to
customers. Cf. 2004 North Dakota Agreement §§ 4.1–4.2 (allowing Bacardi to unilaterally
determine price of products sold to Ed Phillips & Sons, and allowing Ed Phillips & Sons to
unilaterally determine price of Bacardi products sold retailers if such prices are competitive).
Therefore, if Defendants colluded to raise prices charged to their distributor, the distributor must
still competitively price the Defendants’ products and absorb the price raise. Absorbing the
price increase, a rational distributor would invest more effort into distributing lower cost (and
therefore higher profit) competitor brands. Likewise, absent collusion between Defendants and
their distributor, which is not alleged, if the distributor has market power and can raise prices on
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rum and whiskey or other liquors, there is no reason to believe that the increased profits will be
passed along to Bacardi and Brown-Forman given that they must still compete with other
distillers, such as Beam and Cruzan.
b. Defendants do not have exclusive access to an element essential to
effective competition.
Bacardi and Brown-Forman are not the only distillers of liquor in the United States. As
noted above, if Bacardi and Brown-Forman collectively raise prices, distributors of liquor would
rationally choose to invest more effort into distributing lower cost (and therefore higher profit)
liquors. The only suggestion by Plaintiffs that Bacardi and Brown-Forman could raise prices
without suffering lost market share comes from the allegation that RNDC, Bacardi and Brown-
Forman’s present distributor in North Dakota, now controls 99% of the market for whiskey and
95% of the market for rum in that state. However, no explanation has been offered as to why or
how Bacardi and Brown-Forman could profitably raise prices for whiskey and rum without
having RNDC favor other rum and whiskey manufacturers, as discussed above. In particular,
RNDC’s large market share for distribution of rum and whiskey is attributable to RNDC also
being a distributor for Beam and Cruzan products. Am. Compl. ¶ 73. No explanation is given as
to how or why Bacardi and Brown-Forman could raise their prices without having RNDC, or any
other distributor, favor Beam and Cruzan products to the detriment of the would-be cartel. Beam
and Cruzan are not alleged to be co-conspirators and neither is RNDC.
Furthermore, even if the relevant market were revised to be distribution of whiskey and
rum, the allegation that RNDC has a large market share for distribution of whiskey and rum in
North Dakota cannot plausibly support an antitrust violation because Plaintiffs have defined the
relevant market to include an area larger than just North Dakota. Brown-Forman and Bacardi
have evidently chosen as distributors entities other than RNDC in both Minnesota and Iowa. See
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Am. Compl. Ex. B (noting Brown-Forman moved its spirits and wine distribution to non-RNDC
entities in Minnesota and Iowa). Plaintiffs offer no explanation as to how alignment with those
other entities, also non-conspirators, would allow Brown-Forman and Bacardi to control output,
restrict access to supply, or raise prices.
2. Plaintiffs Have Failed to State a Claim under the Rule of Reason
Under the Rule of Reason, an arrangement between firms is repugnant to federal antitrust
laws if it constitutes an “unreasonable restraint on competition.” Craftsmen Limousine, 491 F.3d
at 387. Plaintiffs have failed to identify an unreasonable restraint on competition resulting from
Bacardi and Brown-Forman’s concerted refusal to deal with Plaintiffs.
Plaintiffs’ entire argument focuses on the concentration of the market for distribution of
rum and whiskey with RNDC. Plaintiffs aver “Defendants’ joint conduct and illegal agreement
eliminates competition between liquor distillers, including but not limited to Bacardi, Brown-
Forman, Beam, and Cruzan, and eliminates interbrand competition between their products by
combining their distribution into one distributor.” Pls.’ Mem. of Law in Opp. to Def. Brown-
Forman’s Mot. to Dismiss the First Am. Compl. 19. But, Plaintiffs may not rely on mere
recitation that competition will be eliminated; they must allege factual content that plausibly
suggests such an occurrence. See Twombly, 550 U.S. at 555-57 (noting that “formulaic
recitation” of elements is insufficient pleading, well-pled allegations must state plausible
grounds for relief).
Plaintiffs do not plausibly suggest that interbrand competition will cease. Bacardi and
Brown-Forman are not alleged to have any agreement with Beam or Cruzan. Therefore,
Plaintiffs must articulate some reason as to why Bacardi and Brown-Forman will no longer have
to compete with Beam or Cruzan. Plaintiffs have not done so. As discussed above, merely using
the same distributor will not end interbrand competition. Without market power if a brand or
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cartel of brands raises prices, consumers will merely substitute a cheaper competitor brand. By
way of illustration, virtually all drug stores purchase multiple brands of the same products, yet
interbrand competition continues at all levels of the supply chain. Each brand still must compete
for end-customers as well as for placement in drug stores. Likewise, there is no reason to assume
that merely because Bacardi and Brown-Forman sell to a customer in common with Beam and
Cruzan that competition will cease among those firms. In that market, if Bacardi and Brown-
Forman collude to raise prices, it will be to their own detriment as distributors will begin to favor
now-cheaper (and now more profitable) brands, like Beam or Cruzan products. The Complaint
does not allege the rationale of how or why interbrand competition will be stifled because a
single distributor will buy and distribute competing brands of liquor.
Furthermore, assuming arguendo that the concentration of whiskey and rum brands in
RNDC in North Dakota will cause an increase in whiskey and rum prices for retailers, there is no
reason to believe that Bacardi or Brown-Forman will benefit or are culpable in any way. No
allegations of a wider conspiracy involving Beam, Cruzan, or other distributors has been alleged.
Absent some wider conspiracy, if another distributor has monopolized the distribution market, a
Sherman Act § 2 claim may lie against them, but such monopolization was not the result of the
alleged concerted refusal to deal. Rather, the monopolization was the result of the actions of the
distributor alone. Plaintiffs allege that “[b]ecause RNDC now markets several brands that were
once competitors . . . [RNDC] no longer has the incentive to compete with the remaining
distributor, [Ed Phillips & Sons], whose market share for rum and whiskey is negligible.” Am.
Compl. ¶ 83. While the concentration of rum and whiskey distribution with RNDC may be anticompetitive,
it cannot be said to be an anti-competitive effect of any action by Defendants. The
Complaint asserts that the concentration of the market for distribution of whiskey in North
Dakota was the result of the alignment of Brown-Forman and Beam, entities that are not alleged
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to have any agreement or otherwise be co-conspirators. See Am. Compl. ¶¶ 10-11, 73
(indicating that Brown-Forman and Beam manufacture whiskey, but Bacardi does not).
Similary, the Complaint makes clear that the concentration of the market for distribution of rum
in North Dakota was the result of alignment of Bacardi and Cruzan, entities that are not alleged
to have any agreement or otherwise be co-conspirators. See Am. Compl. ¶¶ 10-11, 73
(indicating that Bacardi and Cruzan manufacture rum, but Brown-Forman does not).
The result here is bolstered by the result in a nearly identical, albeit forty-plus year-old,
case. In Seagram & Sons, Inc. v. Hawaiian Oke & Liquors, Ltd., two distillers, Calvert and
Barton, jointly decided to use a single distributor McKesson. 416 F.2d 71, 73-74 (9th Cir. 1969),
cert. denied, 397 U.S. 1062 (1970). Calvert’s former distributor, Hawaiian Oke & Liquors, Ltd.,
then brought suit alleging an antitrust violation from Calvert and Barton’s concerted refusal to
deal. Id. Without any evidence of an anti-competitive effect or motive, the court there held that
no unreasonable restraint of trade had resulted from the joint decision to align in a single
distributor, and overturned a jury verdict for the plaintiff. Id. at 76-80. The court reasoned that
the distillers had a legitimate business interest in selecting a distributor with a “well rounded
group of lines.” Id. at 80. As in Seagram & Sons, without plausible allegations that Bacardi and
Brown-Forman’s alignment of their products in a single distributor will have some anticompetitive
effect, Plaintiffs have not adequately alleged an antitrust violation.
D. Stay and Transfer
In addition to addressing the merits of the case, the parties have dedicated a substantial
volume of briefing to arguing which forum is appropriate for this litigation to proceed. The first
in time filing was in the Southern District of Florida. However, the two “red flags” identified by
both the Eighth and Eleventh Circuits–filing a declaratory judgment and bringing a lawsuit after
being put on notice of impending litigation in another forum–are present here and may warrant
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“compelling circumstances” for allowing the litigation to proceed in Minnesota. Manuel v.
Convergys Corp., 430 F.3d 1132, 1135 (11th Cir. 2005) (noting that filing of declaratory
judgment action and filing in anticipation of litigation are factors in determining whether
compelling circumstances exist for exception to first-filed rule); N.W. Airlines, Inc. v. Am.
Airlines, Inc., 989 F.2d 1002, 1007 (8th Cir. 1993) (noting that notice that litigation is imminent
and filing of declaratory judgment action are red flags that may be compelling circumstances for
abrogating first-filed rule).
An additional factor to consider is that Judge Huck denied a § 1404(a) transfer motion by
Plaintiffs and in so doing noted that the Florida action was technically filed first. Huck Hr’g Tr.
56. The § 1404(a) motion in the Florida action was argued by all parties under what is known in
the Eighth Circuit as the Terra factors2–convenience of the witnesses, convenience of the parties,
and the interests of justice. Terra Int’l, Inc. v. Miss. Chem. Corp., 119 F.3d 688, 691 (8th Cir.
1997). The interests of justice factor looks to, among other things, where the lawsuit was filed as
a consideration. Id. at 696 (noting that the plaintiff’s choice of forum is considered under
interests of justice). Indeed, Plaintiffs here (Defendants in the Florida action), briefed the firstfiled
rule in the Florida action as an element of the Plaintiffs’ (Defendants here) choice of forum.
See Steinberg Decl. [Docket No. 34] Ex. 10 at 13–15. However, such analyses may be viewed
as distinct, with § 1404(a) merely serving as the procedural mechanism, without respect to the
tri-part analysis developed for § 1404(a) in other contexts, for effectuating a transfer appropriate
under the first-filed doctrine. See Zimmer Enters., Inc. v. Atlandia Imports, 478 F. Supp. 2d 983,
989 (S.D. Ohio 2007) (noting that first-filed rule and transfer of venue analysis are “separate
questions, the analysis of which are conducted separately”). Therefore, it appears the question of
2 Named after Terra Int’l, Inc. v. Miss. Chem. Corp., 119 F.3d 688 (8th Cir. 1997).
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which court, the Southern District of Florida or the District of Minnesota, properly has
jurisdiction under the first-filed doctrine has not yet been fully addressed.
Another significant consideration is that the 2004 North Dakota Agreement includes a
forum selection clause. 2004 North Dakota Agreement § 11.2. A forum selection clause may
trump the first-filed doctrine. See, e.g., Nat’l Union Fire Ins. Co. v. Las Vegas Professional
Football Limited P’ship, 409 Fed. App’x 401, 403 (2d Cir. 2010) (disregarding first-filed rule in
favor of forum selection clause). However, a forum selection clause may not be applicable
where it applies to only one of multiple defendants, as is the case here. See Vangura Kitchen
Tops, Inc. v. C & C N. Am., Inc., No. 08cv1011, 2008 WL 4540186, at *5 (W.D. Pa. Oct. 7,
2008) (Where . . . a forum selection clause is only applicable to claims against one of multiple
parties, by its terms such clause does not supply venue over claims sounding in tort against third
parties.”) (citation omitted).
The resolution of the nuances of appropriate venue need not be reached here. Bacardi’s
Motion to Dismiss or Stay was made in the alternative.3 When a motion is pursued in the
alternative, the Court has discretion to consider the alternative requests in any order. See United
States v. Thomas, Civil No. 08-788-GPM, 2009 WL 792571, at *3 (S.D. Ill. Mar. 24, 2009)
(granting in part motion with respect to dismissal on merits, and denying in part same motion as
to dismissal for improper venue or for transfer). Here, the Court exercised that discretion to
consider the portion of the motion seeking dismissal first. As such, Bacardi’s arguments related
to transfer are now moot. Indeed, it appears that much of the complexity regarding which forum
is most appropriate is owed to the novel “extra-contractual” theories Plaintiffs pursued for their
3 Bacardi’s Motion to Stay and Brown-Forman’s Motion to Transfer or Stay were both
made after each had moved for dismissal. Therefore, considering those motions in the order they
were presented to the Court, they are now moot and are denied.
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MFA claims. Judge Huck invited this Court to weigh in on Plaintiffs’ MFA theories, Huck Hr’g
Tr. 39. The theories are rejected, as are Plaintiffs’ antitrust allegations.
IV. CONCLUSION
Based upon the foregoing, and all the files, records, and proceedings herein, IT IS
HEREBY ORDERED that:
1. Bacardi’s Motion to Dismiss First Amended Complaint or for Transfer [Docket
No. 24] is GRANTED to the extent it seeks dismissal;
2. Brown-Forman’s Motion to Dismiss First Amended Complaint [Docket No. 26] is
GRANTED;
3. Bacardi’s Motion to Stay [Docket No. 30] is DENIED as moot;
4. Brown-Forman’s Motion to Stay or Transfer [Docket No. 66] is DENIED as
moot; and
5. All claims in the Complaint are DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE.
LET JUDGMENT BE ENTERED ACCORDINGLY.
BY THE COURT:
s/Ann D. Montgomery
ANN D. MONTGOMERY
U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE
Dated: November 17, 2011.
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